INPEX Digitalization: Windows 11 boosts operational efficiency, MDM, and security

INPEX Corporation pursues a stable supply of low-carbon energy and a responsible energy transition, heeding sustainability and the environment. Digital technology supports our optimized global business expansion and robust security.

INPEX began Windows 11 OS updates with Windows Autopilot in FY 2023, seeing enhanced endpoint security in most domestic offices by 2024. AIR, a new in-house team, optimizes working environments with generative AI and work-style transformation.

Windows 11 realized our digitalization goals of management ease, robust security, and rapid deployment. Some 650 Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses serve nearly 1/3 of our workforce, benefiting from Teams’ AI-generated notes, emails, and summarizations.

Windows 11: Advanced device management, Microsoft 365 Copilot: Toward culture transformation

Ensuring compatibility and advanced management through early migration to Windows 11

INPEX supports a “responsible energy transition” through a stable supply of clean energy such as oil and natural gas, hydrogen CCUS, and renewable energy, toward net-zero emissions.

Yet many hurdles dot the way towards realization of a net-zero carbon society. One such challenge that has gained attention in recent years is the increasing power consumption by data centers due to the use of AI. Overcoming these challenges requires a cleaner, optimized energy supply.

INPEX is leveraging digital technology in worksites while building rigorous cybersecurity, enabling projects that support essential lifelines like oil and LNG.

The company is transitioning to advanced device management while retaining high compatibility. The early INPEX migration to Windows 11 was a key step.

Naoto Mori,IT Architect in the Information Management & Technology Unit of INPEX’s IT Service Group, served as the migration projects leader and recalls the decision.

“Each OS has a lifespan; that can’t be avoided. As usage beyond expiry risks endpoint security vulnerabilities, we opted for swift migration to Windows 11. We naturally considered other OS choices, but only Windows could support the 600 business apps we use in-house.”

Shinnosuke Mori: AI Evangelist, Information Management & Technology Unit, INPEX CORPORATION, Naoto Mori: IT Architect, IT Service Group, Information Management & Technology Unit, INPEX CORPORATION

Four factors ensuring smooth project advancement

INPEX’s Early Migration Project began consideration of Windows 11 in 2022, launching a 6-month verification in September 2023. In January 2024, 2,000 computers were ordered; kitting began in March and distribution in June. Some recovered computers were re-kitted from Windows 10 to 11 for reuse.

Four factors/benefits motivated Naoto Mori’s major project across multiple domestic worksites:
1. A cloud-first strategy via Microsoft Entra Join
2. Dramatic labor savings in kitting through Windows Autopilot
3. Stable device management with Microsoft Intune
4. Simplified device selection thanks to Windows 11 compliance

Entra Join enables computer management by allowing devices to join Entra ID, its authentication platform. Mori elaborates on this major challenge.

“We sought a cloud-first environment. Entra Join was ideal, but we risked log-in failure due to incompatibility with our system and feared there would be no going back if we limited our options from the start. So we built a Hybrid Entra Join environment as well, enabling parallel use of our existing Active Directory and the cloud-based Entra ID (previously Azure ID). This allowed us to repeatedly verify impact on business systems in both environments right up to kitting. We were able to migrate to Windows 11 with minimal issues thanks to Entra Join.”

“Each OS has a lifespan; that can’t be avoided. As usage beyond expiry risks endpoint security vulnerabilities, we opted for swift migration to Windows 11. We naturally considered other OS choices, but only Windows could support the 600 business apps we use in-house.”

Naoto Mori, IT Architect, IT Service Group, Information Management & Technology Unit, INPEX CORPORATION

Dramatic labor savings with Windows Autopilot and Intune

Implementation of cloud-first computer management with Entra Join enabled smooth integration with Windows Autopilot and Intune. Naoto Mori confirms that the results of the migration were as expected.

“Windows Autopilot enables master images to be deployed via the cloud. The tool enabled instant use of Windows 11 on newly delivered computers, fully meeting INPEX standards. However, we pre-provisioned each comThankputer to ease initial log-in and attached asset-management labels. We cut per-computer kitting time, normally about 1 to 2 hours, to less than half.”

We expect Windows Autopilot to play a key role in the rollout of Windows 11 at overseas sites, starting in fiscal 2025.

“Overseas, local vendors procure and deploy our computers. Windows Autopilot enables configuration using Intune via the cloud regardless of computer model. Both in-house and vendor setup facilitate an INPEX-compliant computer environment—a huge benefit.”

Since Intune provides Mobile Device Management (MDM), INPEX-group computers can be centrally managed, ensuring Windows updates are not missed and contributing to the thorough implementation of security policies.

Finally, Mori describes a unique and noteworthy factor—simplified device selection.

“When defining the requirements for procuring new laptops for this project, security was the top priority—summed up in a single phrase: Windows 11 compliance. Opting for a general OS allows for hardware that meets security requirements, such as Windows Hello for Business.”

After outreach to multiple vendors, INPEX selected the HP EliteBook 630 G10 as the best fit.

Promoting generative AI to support evolving work styles

The INPEX project started in full force in 2023 and benefitted from another pillar alongside the early adoption of Windows 11—the "thorough use of generative AI in office work," a promotion driven by an in-house team called “AIR.”

INPEX Information Unit AI evangelist Shinnosuke Mori explains that INPEX has explored the potential of generative AI tools since their emergence, particularly in the streamlining of daily business operations.

“It all started when our department head predicted that generative AI would soon transform the business environment and requested an evaluation of the tool. In April 2023, we used Azure OpenAI Service to conduct an in-house PoC (Proof of Concept).”

Interestingly, the initial response greatly differed from expectations.

“What we didn’t expect were ‘hallucinations’— nonsensical or inaccurate output. Multiple errors rendered it unusable in work. But with improved LLM (large language model) accuracy and positive in-house reception of the deep-learning translation tools, we adapted and gradually integrated AI into office operations.”

Responding to this momentum, AIR, an internal team led by Shinnosuke Mori, was launched to promote in-house generative AI and transform work styles.

“The name ‘AIR’ symbolizes the concept of making AI as natural as air in the workplace. We also enlisted Azure OpenAI Service to deploy AIR ChatGPT, enabling its use in a secure environment, thus launching full-scale activity.”

By 2024, use of INPEX’s generative AI accelerated, partly thanks to Microsoft 365 Copilot.

The stunning evolution of Teams Meetings AI-generated notes, email drafts, and summarizations

2024 was The Year of Microsoft 365 Copilot, recalls Shinnosuke Mori.

“INPEX has a contract for Microsoft 365 E5, with an environment that allows use of Copilot functions to some degree. In March, we carried out a trial, purchasing licenses for 100 users. We expanded that to 500 users in October for full-scale operations.”

He stresses that, while Copilot was previously free, “internal survey results showed that adding the paid license was cost-effective.”

“In a survey following the trial, 95% of respondents wished to continue, and 92% finding it cost-effective. Seamless usage with Microsoft products was key. I also used it and realized it definitely offers value far exceeding its cost.”

Deployment reached 650 users by January 2025, with plans to expand usage to 1,000 in the next fiscal year.

“Microsoft 365 Copilot’s appeal is its speedy evolution. To those disappointed with the early releases, I say, ‘definitely try the current version.’ I bet they’ll have a completely different impression. The Teams Meetings AI-generated Notes is our most-used feature. Accuracy is improving, with note categorization increasingly on-target. Recorded meetings are topically categorized into scenes for easy cueing. I hope busy managers with full Outlook schedules will employ this function.”

Outlook closely follows Teams when it comes to usage frequency.

“It drafts greetings to clients and routine email responses in a single touch. The drafting function was much better in English at first, but now, the Japanese accuracy is also good. With so many data sets, the English is very refined, and our users often declare, ‘Who knew these expressions existed! It’s a great learning experience.’”

“Microsoft 365 Copilot’s appeal is its speedy evolution. To those disappointed with the early releases, I say, ‘definitely try the current version.’ I bet they’ll have a completely different impression.”

Shinnosuke Mori, AI Evangelist, Information Management & Technology Unit, INPEX CORPORATION

Implementing digital technology to further advance the business environment and achieve the INPEX vision

AIR’s ongoing and unique educational outreach explains the INPEX AI successes already underway.

“We immediately chose an AIR logo and mascot, then created a series of posters for in-house display, borrowing the employee café space for a week to hand out novelties and feature books on generative AI. We initially focused on garnering employee interest”, says Mori.

Post-deployment, the team spent a year and a half creating some 30 videos introducing generative AI tools for the benefit of employees companywide.

“The videos have been viewed repeatedly, with recent feedback praising them as very helpful. Seeing people in our offices using Copilot and AIR ChatGPT allows us to feel the consistent spread of these tools.”

Yet Shinnosuke Mori emphasizes that AIR’s initiatives are still in its early stages.

“Increasing generative AI deployment brings increased productivity, and I now feel an in-house excitement. This will surely lead to transformations in work style and culture. Employees, technology, and the new corporate culture they cultivate, will simultaneously drive our primary business—energy—to help realize a net-zero carbon society. That is what AIR and our digital strategy envision. Our effort continues.”