B-EN-G 's "mcframe," a manufacturing-oriented software developed and provided by the company, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026. Currently, it has over 1,000 user companies both domestically and internationally.
One of the reasons the product has continued to grow to this point is that it has consistently incorporated user feedback into its design. A key point of contact for this has been the "mcframe Users Group (MCUG)," run by volunteers from user companies.
Initiated by volunteer mcframe users, aiming for mutual growth.
The user group was established in 2005 at the initiative of mcframe users. It continues to operate with the aim of discussing solutions to challenges in the manufacturing industry, exchanging information on the effective use of solutions, and fostering camaraderie among members. Initially, the number of members was less than 50 in Japan, but it has now grown to 256 companies in three countries (as of May 2026). In Japan, more than 26 activities are held annually, including regional study groups, seminars, and factory tours, while meetings are also held regularly in Thailand and Indonesia.
The user companies are the main organizers, and B-EN-G participates as the secretariat, supporting their activities. This time, we spoke with Ms. Hashimoto and Ms. Hamashima from the Product Business Division, who are in charge of the user group's secretariat, about the significance of the user group and its activities.
"The user group is made up of comrades in the same boat."
Sharing how to use mcframe across industry boundaries
Product Business Division, Mr. Hashimoto
"When I first attended a user group meeting, I was overwhelmed bythe enthusiastic exchange of ideas," Hashimoto recalls. From its inception, the user group has likened mcframe to a ship, bringing together companies from different industries and sizes, sometimes even competitors, to work together as partners on the same ship (mcframe) to solve their own company's challenges.
At each of the study groups that form the core of the activities, a differentmain theme is setfor each meeting, and participants bring their own company's challenges and initiatives todiscuss. Hamashima says that what impressed him the most was the depth of the topics discussed. "Of course, there are themes related to the use ofmcframeand surrounding systems, but there are also deep themes that arise only from actually facing them on the factory floor, such as 'How to design ownership of manufacturing data,' and everyone is seriously discussing them." This is a setting that focuses on the manufacturing industry, and it allows for a high-intensity exchange of opinions.
The foundation for this kind of environment lies in the culture of "giving to one another," which has been ingrained in the user group since its inception. 2025 year 9 At the monthly user meeting, we discussed draft MVVs (Mission, Vision, and Values) and reaffirmed our position of mutual cooperation as the foundation of the community. dukeI tried "For department heads and section chiefs" Many participantsdifferenceIt is They generously share their company's experiences. Their attitude of treating other companies' challenges as their own creates the overall atmosphere of the user group, fostering a fundamental idea of mutual exchange of opinions and support. If there isI feel that way." Hashimoto says.
Dedicated to working behind the scenes, we nurture the product together with our users.
What role does B-EN-G play in continuing to operate such a venue?
mcframe is primarily sold through partner companies. Therefore, B-EN-G has limited opportunities to directly hear real feedback from end users as part of its normal operations.
Hamashima-san, Product Business Division
"As the secretariat, we are behind the scenes supporting the operation, but for B-EN-G, the user group is also an important direct point of contact with users. As we develop our partner business, we believe that the user group is a place where we can maintain connections that will allow us to create products that are close to the needs of our users," says Hashimoto.
Hamashima says that the user group is also valuable for partner companies to participate in. "By participating in the study group, partner companies can hear firsthand accounts from mcframe users. Furthermore, the existence of a community where users can solve problems with each other even after implementation gives partner companies a basis for confidently proposing mcframe."
Within the user group, a "Product Request Working Group" has been established, creating a system to collect improvement requests from members and feed them back to B-EN-G. The current mcframe 7 is a product that was created as a result of continuously incorporating user feedback over many years from previous versions, and more than 800 requirements have been incorporated based on user opinions. "We often hear from people who have been participating for many years that 'the current mcframe was created by accumulating discussions and requests in the user group,'" says Hashimoto.
The user group is a "sharing economy of experiential knowledge."
What has been built up over time is not just the product's functions and requirements. The user group also fosters deeper human relationships that grow year after year. Many participating companies have been involved for 10 or even 20 years. Some members started out as individual staff members during the initial implementation phase, and now, while working as leaders overseeing IT and digital departments within their companies, they continue to support the group.
The deep experience of long-term users and the fresh challenges faced by companies that have just adopted mcframe combine to create a natural flow of know-how that can only be shared through extensive use. Participants not only receive information, but also share their own experiences afterward, which helps others learn. This cycle of experience underpins the value of the user group.
The connections made through the user group extend beyond its boundaries. Members who met through the group visit each other's factories and engage in independent activities. There have also been cases where participants continue to exchange opinions. Hamashima says that he has received comments from participants. "One person said, 'Since a large portion of my work involves using mcframe, I have been helped many times by the existence of the user group.' Also, at a social gathering, someone said to me, 'There is no other place where users can exchange opinions with each other. Thank you so much.' I also feel a sense of fulfillment in being able to create a community like the user group, which isspecificallyfor the manufacturing industry and can also be a source of support for users."
The user group has now grown beyond simply supporting product usage to become a community deeply rooted in the participants' work. Hashimoto envisions the future of the user group as follows: "We need to make even better use of this space where we can connect directly with users. Our mission is to use the insights we gain from the user group to inform our next products and services."
It's been over 20 years since the mcframe User Group was founded. What all participants have in common is the desire to make mcframe even better in the future. Having grown through close collaboration between users and developers, mcframe will continue to evolve together with the User Group for the next 30 years.
