JustSystems was founded with a simple goal: make it possible for people to use computers to share their thoughts and knowledge.

Since our founding in 1979, we have developed a wide variety of products, ranging from client applications to server systems. Throughout our history, we have provided our individual and corporate clients with software that marries the most advanced technology with the most visionary solutions.

After many years of research in natural language processing technologies, we released ATOK, a text input system that incorporates advanced knowledge modeling to greatly improve the speed and accuracy of keyboard input into Japanese language documents. As software that parallels human language processing, ATOK transformed Japanese-language document processing and today remains the dominant technology in its field.

Using ATOK as our base, we subsequently developed a word processing application (1985), followed by a complete office suite, then expanded into groupware and other personal and office productivity applications.

JustSystems has continually focused on the core technology infrastructure as the fulcrum point for critical innovations. In 1988, we unveiled our Value Added Function (VAF) – a unique, open-architecture, plug-in system – that made it easy for users to add complex functions (such as spreadsheets and graphics) to our word-processing applications. In 1996, we launched our Dynamic Document Framework (DDF) as a successor to VAF. DDF is a compound document platform that facilitates editing of compound documents, separation of content and view, semantic comprehension, and knowledge sharing through the use of dynamic documents. DDF foreshadowed, and proved in the marketplace, many of the approaches and goals now being pursued in the world of XML (eXtensible Markup Language). DDF provided the foundation for our first multiplatform application products, developed completely in Pure Java and introduced to the market in 1999.

JustSystems has been an influential advocate and adopter of open standards as a central element in software quality and innovation. JustSystems participates in the Unicode Consortium’s universal character encoding standardization efforts in the development of standards by the WWW Consortium (W3C). In addition, we have actively pursued standardization and openness by publishing our own technical specifications.

By the mid-1990s, information analysis and retrieval had become a key problem for medium- and large-scale organizations. To meet that need, in 1997 we (in collaboration with Professor David A. Evans of Carnegie Mellon University) developed a knowledge resource search system called ConceptBase that offers an intelligent solution to the information retrieval needs created by the explosive growth of corporate data and the Internet. ConceptBase combines unique vector search technology with natural language processing, and has now become the standard in Japan’s enterprise market. In 2003, we extended our offerings in this area with the introduction of GrowVision, a comprehensive knowledge management environment that provides powerful support for discovery and use of critical information that is latent in or transmitted via the Internet and intranets.

In 2006, we continued our global expansion with the acquisition of XMetaL. Leveraging XML and other standards-based technologies is now a focus for us – to use these technologies, combined with tools for developers and business users –to continue on our vision of enabling people to share knowledge through data and content as effectively as possible.