On September 11, 2026, LIFEBOAT, INC. launched “ManicTime Cloud,” a cloud service that automatically records and visualizes PC operating activity. This release comes in response to growing demand from enterprises seeking to monitor unseen remote activity and simplify workforce management without building on-premises servers as telework and hybrid work become permanent fixtures.

Launching ManicTime Cloud: Serverless PC Activity Management

On September 11, 2026, LIFEBOAT, INC., a systems software vendor, officially launched “ManicTime Cloud,” a cloud-based edition of its established PC management software, ManicTime Pro. Built on software developed by Slovenia-based Finkit, this cloud service allows organizations to centrally manage PC usage and operation history without building or maintaining internal management servers. Deploying companies can securely aggregate PC usage data in the cloud—not only from office workstations but also from employees’ home computers during telework—without setting up specialized network infrastructure such as VPNs. Pricing for the “Standard” license, which covers core features, starts at 22,000 yen per year per license (excluding tax), with a minimum order threshold of 5 licenses. For adopting enterprises, the key advantage lies in quickly establishing an environment to monitor company-wide PC operations while dramatically reducing upfront infrastructure investments and operational overhead. As illustrated in the system overview diagram below, the system features a streamlined, non-complex architecture.

Automatic Operations Logging and Intuitive Visualization Capabilities

ManicTime Cloud operates by installing monitoring software onto target PCs. Running quietly in the background, this client software automatically records keyboard and mouse activity logs, application launch times, accessed file names, and web browser URL history before transmitting the data to a cloud management server. Administrators simply log into a browser-based management console to view comprehensive PC usage across the organization through visual graphs and reports. Key visualized metrics include:

• Total usage duration and idle time percentages per PC
• Detailed breakdowns of running applications and referenced documents
• Access duration and URL history for visited websites

By graphically consolidating these metrics, administrators can instantly verify who was doing what, on which device, and for how long. The service also assists in automatically generating daily and weekly reports, significantly reducing the administrative burden on employees.

Advanced Feature Suite Supporting Labor Management and Security Enhancement

Preventing Unreported Overtime and Streamlining Business Processes via Work Tagging

With ManicTime Cloud, companies can effectively prevent long-standing labor management issues such as “unreported overtime” (hidden overtime) and unpaid off-the-clock work. By validating actual working hours against timecard clock-in data using objective log files, organizations can detect overwork early and improve working conditions. Furthermore, the system includes a tagging feature that categorizes collected operation logs by specific work activities. Calculating and visualizing elapsed time by task unit makes it much easier to identify business process bottlenecks. Key operational benefits include:

• Accurately tracking actual work hours in remote environments with objective log-based proof
• Improving workflow and productivity through clear visibility into time allocation by task category
• Curbing inappropriate computer usage or personal activities off-site and in remote locations

Because accurate data accumulates seamlessly without requiring conscious input from employees, management can conduct evaluations and reallocate workloads based on objective figures, fostering comprehensive work-style reform.

Automated Screen Captures and Flexible System Data Integration

The higher-tier “Premium” plan offers automated screenshot capabilities alongside activity logging, capturing PC screens at regular intervals. Screenshots are displayed directly on a timeline alongside operation logs, allowing managers to visually verify specific tasks that might be difficult to discern from text or log data alone. Additionally, activity data accessed via the management console can be easily exported into Excel or CSV formats. Key data export scenarios include:

• Cross-referencing working hours with existing attendance management and payroll systems
• Analyzing department-level productivity within in-house data analytics platforms
• Retaining access log records for security and compliance audits

By seamlessly integrating collected data into existing corporate systems, organizations eliminate duplicate data entry and further reduce operational burdens on administrative departments.

Market Background behind the Cloud Shift and Future Outlook

Expanding Enterprise PC Management Market and Telework Security Guidelines

The rollout of ManicTime Cloud reflects a rapidly expanding domestic enterprise market for PC operation management and maintenance services. According to market research released on October 29, 2025, by MM Research Institute (MMRI), the Japanese corporate PC management and maintenance service market is projected to reach 346.4 billion yen in FY2025 and grow to 357.7 billion yen in FY2026. This market expansion is primarily driven by corporate hardware refreshes following the end of Windows 10 support, as well as the solidification of hybrid work models combining home and office environments. Furthermore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) strongly recommends acquiring and managing access and operational logs while maintaining cloud-based security controls in its “Telework Security Guidelines (5th Edition).” For companies seeking guideline-compliant security measures and log management without the overhead of on-premises servers, serverless solutions like ManicTime Cloud offer an ideal fit for modern enterprise needs.

Reducing IT Burden through Serverless Operations and Future Expectations

Under the traditional on-premises management system, “ManicTime Pro,” internal IT departments had to procure and maintain physical or virtual servers, perform OS updates, apply security patches, and back up databases in-house. Transitioning to ManicTime Cloud eliminates these infrastructure management demands, significantly lowering implementation barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing IT talent shortages, as well as multi-branch organizations. Moving forward, ManicTime Cloud is expected to gain widespread adoption as a standard PC management infrastructure for hybrid work environments, alongside deeper integrations with SaaS attendance tools and AI analytics platforms. By liberating IT administrators from server maintenance, organizations can redirect valuable resources toward strategic digital transformation (DX) initiatives, simultaneously driving productivity gains and robust security controls.

Reference Pages

• [Press Release: LIFEBOAT, INC. Launches “ManicTime Cloud” on September 11, 2026, Enabling Centralized PC Usage Management Without On-Premises Servers] https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000047.000017223.html
• [ManicTime Cloud Product Information | LIFEBOAT, INC.] https://www.lifeboat.jp/products/mtc/
• [Telework Security Guidelines (5th Edition) | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)] https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/cybersecurity/telework/
• [Market Growth Continues Driven by Work-Style Reform and Security Measures | MM Research Institute (MMRI)] https://www.m2ri.jp/release/detail.html?id=695

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