Nextmode and Macnica implement "Okta Workforce Identity" as an integrated ID authentication platform for OK Supermarket – Simultaneously improving operational efficiency, security, and convenience through centralized management and unified authentication.

Nextmode Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Munenori Satomi; hereinafter "Nextmode") and Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Hara; hereinafter "Macnica") today announced that OK Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Ryotaro Ninomiya; hereinafter "OK") has implemented Okta's enterprise identity management solution, "Okta Workforce Identity," as an ID unified authentication platform. OK has achieved improved operational efficiency, enhanced security, and improved user convenience by centrally and automatically managing the IDs and access rights of users both inside and outside the company and unifying authentication.

■ Background of the implementation
OK, which operates over 160 discount supermarkets in Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures, operates more than 160 stores mainly in the Kanto region, guided by its management policy of "high quality, everyday low prices." In addition to business expansion and diversification of business systems, the spread of remote work has increased opportunities to access business systems from outside the company, leading to increased complexity in ID management and the following challenges becoming apparent.

- A proliferation of authentication methods
The increasing complexity of authentication management and the reliance on individual employees for ID management led to a significant operational burden.
- The scope of application of existing single sign-on (SSO) is limited.
It was difficult to implement unified authentication and management across business systems.

These challenges forced separate authentication for each system, reducing user convenience. On the other hand, administrators faced increased risks of configuration errors and oversights, raising security concerns.

Furthermore, traditional identity management systems centered on Active Directory (AD) had limitations in terms of flexibly adapting to cloud services and automating identity lifecycle management. Against this backdrop, there was an urgent need to develop an integrated identity infrastructure to achieve unified authentication, operational efficiency through automated identity management, and enhanced security.

■ Reasons for selection
OK required unified ID management that covered authentication across the entire company, as well as workload reduction through the automation of ID management. Based on these requirements, the following aspects of "Okta Workforce Identity" were evaluated:

- It is a globally proven IDaaS with a wealth of security and visibility features.
- Easy integration with Active Directory, even in environments with a mix of on-premises and cloud systems.
- "Okta Workflows" allows you to automate identity management tasks with no-code/low-code.
- Flexible device control allows for secure and easy access even from outside the company network.

After comprehensively evaluating these factors, the decision was made to implement the system.

■Implementation details and effects
In the implementation, Nextmode took the lead, providing consistent support from implementation to operation. Nextmode continuously utilizes and tests the latest features, such as automating its own ID management with Okta Workflows. Based on this practical know-how, it has achieved the No. 1 ranking in the number of new companies implementing Okta for four consecutive years (*1). In addition, Macnica, as an Okta distributor, supported a smooth implementation through strong collaboration with Nextmode and Okta. This included early problem resolution, smooth implementation support, and prompt troubleshooting by engineers highly knowledgeable in Okta. This support was also recognized in the "Okta APJ Distribution Partner of the Year" award, which was awarded for the second consecutive year (*2).

With the implementation of "Okta Workforce Identity," OK has achieved the following:

- By implementing single sign-on (SSO) and standardizing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for each business system,
This eliminates the need for multiple authentication steps, improving login convenience while providing a secure access environment.

- Appropriate authentication control tailored to user attributes and usage environment ensures an appropriate level of security according to access conditions.

By automating identity lifecycle management using Okta Workflows and centralizing authentication and access control through integration with Active Directory, operational workloads are reduced, and configuration errors and management omissions are prevented.

- Integration with Active Directory maintained the traditional authentication experience, enabling deployment without user confusion.

<Figure: Enhanced authentication security through the implementation of "Okta Workforce Identity">

Furthermore, by integrating with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), we are promoting the automation of authorization and group management, contributing to strengthened governance. In the future, we aim to build a more advanced identity management infrastructure by expanding the scope of application and further promoting automation.

(*1) Received the Okta Japan "New-logo Partner of the Year" award a total of four times from 2021 to 2025 (excluding 2023).
(*2) Okta received the "Okta APJ Distribution Partner of the Year" award for two consecutive years, in 2024 and 2025.

■Future Outlook
OK aims to further improve operational efficiency and security by expanding the scope of Okta's use and promoting automation through provisioning and Okta Workflows.
Leveraging the knowledge and implementation track record gained from our own practical experience, Nextmode will continue to closely support our customers' business transformation. By promptly providing Okta's latest features and automation solutions, we will accelerate the promotion of zero trust and operational efficiency for Japanese companies, supporting the success of even more customers.
Since launching Okta's domestic sales in 2020, Macnica has leveraged the expertise it has cultivated as a distributor to continue providing meticulous technical support and assistance tailored to the needs of its customers, thereby supporting the strengthening of security for Japanese companies.

For more details on the case study articles, please see the link below.
• Case study article published on Nextmode's website: https://nextmode.co.jp/casestudy/ok/
• Case study article published on Macnica 's website: https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/security/manufacturers/okta/case_03.html

■ Endorsement
We have received the following comment from Okta Japan Co., Ltd. regarding this announcement:

Takashi Watanabe, Representative Director and President of Okta Japan Co., Ltd.

We are delighted that OK has adopted "Okta Workforce Identity." In today's increasingly diverse business environment, identity is the starting point for zero-trust security, while also being key to achieving both operational efficiency and user convenience. We are confident that OK's use of Okta to build a secure and seamless integrated authentication platform will be a powerful driving force supporting further business growth in the future. With a strong partnership with Nextmode, which has an outstanding track record of implementations, and Macnica, which boasts advanced technical capabilities, we will continue to fully support OK's secure business transformation.