#Japan #Sapporo #Devin #ULS Consulting #SNET

Overview of the Project

ULS Group's subsidiary, ULS Consulting, has implemented the autonomous AI software engineer "Devin" in collaboration with Sapporo Comprehensive Information Center (SNET) to enhance the development efficiency of Sapporo's core system standardization project. This initiative is pivotal for the city as it aims to modernize various government information systems while ensuring compliance with national regulations and standards.

Role of SNET

Established in 1988 as a joint venture among the government, the city of Sapporo, and influential local companies, SNET specializes in maintaining and operating essential public information systems for Sapporo. As part of their ongoing efforts to align with the "Standardization Guidelines for Local Public Enterprise Information Systems" set forth by the national government, they are working with local system development firms on standardizing systems that cover a wide range of areas, including the basic resident register, taxes, insurance, and welfare. This ambitious project aims to complete all necessary adjustments and migrations by the deadline set for 2027.

The Need for Efficiency

To meet the stringent project timelines and requirements, SNET recognized the need for a more efficient development process. This led to their inquiry with ULS Consulting, which provided innovative solutions to streamline operations using AI technology. Devin was presented as the ideal tool, capable of delegating routine technical tasks, such as Java version upgrades and open-source software (OSS) library replacements, significantly reducing the burden on human engineers.

Implementation of Devin

The integration of Devin into SNET's development workflow commenced with pilot testing from September to October 2025. The task involved rewriting roughly 1.5 million lines of test code necessitated by the Java upgrade. By leveraging Devin’s capabilities, SNET successfully reduced the estimated workload from 200 person-months to a mere 50 person-months, a staggering efficiency improvement that underscores Devin’s potential impact on development practices.

Expanding the Use of Devin

Following the success of the pilot phase, the scope of Devin's application has been expanded to include rewriting applications due to library and execution environment upgrades, enhancing user interfaces in response to browser changes, and supporting containerization efforts. Continuous verification and testing are underway to explore the full range of Devin's capabilities within the development processes.

Feedback from Leadership

Masafumi Watanabe of SNET expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "When we merely communicated our broad directives regarding test code modifications, Devin autonomously derived optimal solutions, leading to satisfactory correction plans and executing revisions effectively. The unexpected effectiveness of Devin’s high autonomy signifies a notable leap in our development efficiency. We hope to maximize this achievement while exploring further applications of Devin. Our aim is to ensure the successful progression of Sapporo's core system standardization project in collaboration with ULS Group."

The Future of SNET and ULS Consulting

As this standardization project continues to unfold, ULS Consulting remains committed to supporting SNET through advanced technologies and innovative practices, ensuring that Sapporo’s essential information systems evolve to meet contemporary demands effectively and efficiently.