NeoJapan released 'desknet's NEO V9.7,' the latest version of its groupware, on October 5, 2026. This version update significantly enhances the AI assistant features (optional), which are immediately accessible on the groupware screen.
This AI assistant not only offers chat-based Q&A but also includes an 'Agent' function that automatically handles tasks such as image generation, Excel analysis, and PowerPoint generation. Key features also include the ability to select and utilize the latest models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini; a starting additional cost of ¥300,000 (excluding tax) per month regardless of the number of users; and the capability to reference managed documents (RAG function) within the groupware and databases of applications developed with no-code tools.
NeoJapan's strategy is to integrate AI functions into the groupware that all employees use daily, creating an environment where everyone can immediately leverage AI. This approach aims to accelerate the company-wide adoption of generative AI.
The latest version, 'desknet's NEO V9.7,' significantly enhances AI assistant features.
desknet's NEO is a domestic groupware product featuring a wide array of applications and an intuitive interface. It boasts a cumulative sales record of 5.4 million users (as of March 2026), serving clients from small and medium-sized businesses to large enterprises, local governments, and public agencies. The product lineup includes both a cloud service version and a package version for on-premise deployment.
Since the release of V9.5 in September 2025, desknet's NEO has offered AI assistant features powered by 'neoAI Chat for desknet's,' a generative AI platform developed by neoAI, a startup spun out of the University of Tokyo's Matsuo Lab, as its backend. To enhance security, user input information is designed not to be used for AI model training, and the system can also be deployed in a company's own tenant, Azure environment, or on-premise environment.
While previous versions only offered a simple Q&A function, this V9.7 release significantly strengthens and expands this functionality.
Users can open a chat window simply by clicking the AI assistant icon displayed in the desknet's NEO menu. From there, general AI Q&A is possible. It supports multi-models (such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini), allowing users to select the most suitable one for their specific needs.
The latest models of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are available. Users can choose between high-end and lightweight models, striking a balance between accuracy and AI cost.
A new function (RAG building function) has been added, allowing the AI assistant to reference internal regulations, manuals, and other documents stored in desknet's NEO's 'Document Management' when providing answers. This enables the creation of AI assistants specialized in various tasks such as inquiry handling, new employee training, and application procedure confirmation, and it automatically adapts to information updates in regulated documents.
The AI assistant can provide answers based on stored documents.
The system also includes an 'Agent' function that enables AI to automatically execute tasks. Currently, these agents include 'Deep Research,' which repeatedly performs web searches to generate reports such as market research and competitor analysis; 'Image Generation,' which creates visuals based on user-inputted text and images; 'Excel/CSV Analysis,' for data aggregation, graph creation, and trend analysis; 'Excel Editing,' which rewrites cell contents of attached Excel files according to instructions; and 'PowerPoint Generation,' which similarly edits or creates content for attached PowerPoint files.
The built-in Agent function automatically executes tasks.
It is now also possible for AI to reference databases on 'AppSuite,' desknet's NEO's built-in no-code application development platform. For instance, if a project management application has been created with AppSuite, the AI assistant can aggregate that data and generate a monthly report in PowerPoint.
Data accumulated in AppSuite applications can now also be analyzed by AI.
Furthermore, administrators can monitor usage counts for each AI assistant, department, and user on the neoAI Chat dashboard. The administration screen also allows for granular configuration of which models users can access, enabling settings to prevent the indiscriminate use of high-cost (high token consumption) high-end models.
The neoAI Chat administration screen. Major AI models, including the latest versions, are provided, allowing administrators to select which models to enable for use.
The AI features described thus far are an optional service (API connection service with neoAI Chat for desknet's NEO) requiring a separate contract from desknet's NEO. This optional fee is ¥300,000 (excluding tax) per organization per month, irrespective of the number of users, and includes a fixed allocation of tokens.
According to NeoJapan, this pre-allocated token quota is based on 'the approximate amount consumed by 50 users in one month.' If the organization as a whole exceeds this fixed amount, additional token usage fees will be charged on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Explanation of costs for desknet's NEO AI assistant and NeoJapan's estimates.
NeoJapan states that, through the provision of the AI assistant integrated into desknet's NEO, it aims to promote the adoption of AI in companies where AI utilization has not yet progressed.
Even when companies contract for generative AI tools like 'ChatGPT' for all employees, usage frequency often varies significantly. Some employees might 'not use it at all,' while others might 'find the allocated token amount insufficient, incurring additional costs.' This leads to considerable cost inefficiency.
Therefore, desknet's NEO provides an AI environment that all members of an organization can use at any time, with minimal running costs, thereby promoting the widespread adoption of AI within the organization. With administrators able to monitor usage and a guarantee that input information will not be used for model training, AI governance is also ensured.
Through the provision of this AI assistant, NeoJapan aims to promote the widespread adoption of AI within organizations.
