Our strengths lie in diverse expertise and a supportive approach.

Our strengths lie in diverse expertise and a supportive approach.
SYSTEM I's proposal capabilities and responsiveness bring your requests to life

The company we interviewed this time is Cloud Spaceship Inc., which develops and sells cloud systems for the energy industry.
We spoke with Mr. Kikukawa and Mr. Mizumura, the responsible parties, about the background behind switching to SYSTEM I for the digital security app—originally ordered from another vendor—at the time of functional enhancements, and their impressions of the process.

KUMONO UCYUSEN Co., Ltd.

Cloud Spaceship Co., Ltd. is a systems company within the NICHIGAS Group. Its core business involves developing and operating systems, primarily the “Cloud Spaceship” business support cloud platform for the energy industry.
“Cloud Spaceship” is a system that enables centralized management of meter reading, delivery, and safety operations via smartphone, aiming to improve operational efficiency and safety. It provides robust support for advancing digital transformation (DX) at the field level within the energy industry.
https://www.nichigas.co.jp/for-company/dx/kumonoucyusen

Quoted from the Nippon Gas Co., Ltd. website

We were seeking new partners to further enhance the field app's functionality and for external sales.

Section Chief Kikukawa (left) and Supervisor Mizumura (right), who spoke with us

－Within this comprehensive system encompassing a wide range of functions, we have received an order for the digital security app to be used on-site.

Mr. Mizumura: The order placed with SYSTEM I was for a “smartphone application capable of recording gas inspections conducted by field workers.” This software had already been released in December 2023 through collaboration with another vendor and was being used in the field. However, we received requests from the field for improvements to make it more user-friendly. Additionally, we wanted to modify the specifications not only for internal use within Nichigas but also to enable external sales. This is the background behind placing the order with SYSTEM I this time.

－What were the reasons for switching vendors since the previous development phase?

Mr. Mizumura: While the vendor you previously handled was certainly excellent, we faced challenges with “① the high cost” and “② the inability to enter into a contract for services, only a quasi-commission contract.” Therefore, we considered switching to another company when additional development became necessary.

Mr. Kikukawa: There was also concern that continuing to place orders with the same vendor might lead to vendor lock-in. To avoid a future where dependence on a specific vendor leads to system dependency on individuals, we considered that it might be better to place orders with a different vendor.

－Why did you choose SYSTEM I from among the many system vendors?

Mr. Kikukawa: I've known SYSTEM I since my previous job and always held the impression that Mr. Ogushi, the sales manager, was someone worthy of trust. We received proposals from him several times for other projects, and he never simply said “no” to our requests. Instead, he worked closely with us to explore what was feasible within the company. Above all, I felt reassured that ultimately, “this person would be able to manage the project effectively.”
While the fit and validity of the proposals were certainly factors, the deciding factor was ultimately the reliability of the person in charge.

We implemented over 10 feature enhancements to further advance our “field-first” approach to the app.

Project Manager Hiramatsu (left) and Sales Representative Ōgusa (right)

－Specifically, what kind of development did SYSTEM I handle?

SYSTEM I Hiramatsu: We implemented various improvements to make the system easier for field workers to use. For example, we standardized the format of various data imported from external sources and enhanced the system's UI/UX. Since UI/UX improvements directly impact field workers' ease of use, we implemented over 10 enhancements.

Ms. Mizumura: For example, when filling out absence notices during meter readings, field workers must refer to a screen called the “Absence Registration Screen.” However, it doesn't display the necessary codes or addresses, forcing them to switch back to another screen for verification. This has been cited as inconvenient. While it might not be a significant hassle for a single case, the same inconvenience occurring across multiple cases leads to inefficiency and causes stress for field workers.

Mr. Kikukawa: To facilitate the modification of the system to better align with our operational needs, we conducted training sessions during the handover period to provide detailed instruction on our field operations and the specifics of the gas business. Thanks to your proactive approach to acquiring domain knowledge, our engineers gained a high level of understanding of the business, allowing us to confidently entrust them with the modifications.

Not only on the technical side but also on the cost side. It's reassuring that you can understand our needs and make proposals accordingly.

－Please let us know if there was anything you were glad you asked SYSTEM I to do.

Mr. Mizumura: Although the period between requesting the quote and commencing development was only three months, we greatly appreciated your assistance in handling the handover from the previous vendor and absorbing the domain knowledge as mentioned earlier. While the short timeframe meant the handover wasn't entirely thorough, we are grateful for the maximum effort you put in under those circumstances.
We also greatly appreciated the numerous suggestions you provided based on expertise beyond our own. As the end-users, we don't typically scrutinize every detail of the source code, so our mindset was often “if it works, it's fine.” However, your proactive proposals—such as “modifying it this way would make it much more user-friendly” or “this approach offers these cost advantages”—were truly reassuring.

SYSTEM I Hiramatsu: This system has a fairly complex design with various modules intertwined, so understanding that during the handover was challenging. Additionally, when looking at the source code, I identified areas where changes would make things run more smoothly. I'm currently in the process of proposing improvements focused on those specific points.

Mr. Kikukawa: I find SYSTEM I's agility to be a tremendous strength. They move quickly—for instance, when past issues arose, they immediately assembled personnel to address them. They also frequently adapt flexibly to changes in the development process, which I feel is a speed unique to a mid-sized company.
SYSTEM I has many people who “understand the big picture from the details.” They grasp unspoken needs and proactively propose solutions or take action. This combination of quick thinking and smooth communication significantly enhances their response speed.

－What are your expectations for SYSTEM I going forward?

Mr. Kikukawa: Our company intends to actively utilize AI moving forward to enhance system safety and customer satisfaction. SYSTEM I has numerous AI implementation examples and has provided migration proposals, but we would be delighted if you could propose even more diverse AI application cases.

Mr. Mizumura: We plan to accelerate the external sales of this system going forward. To achieve this, we need to further enhance customer satisfaction and improve the user experience. We would greatly appreciate your proactive proposals in these areas as well.

SYSTEM I Ogushi: Having worked together for nearly a year since last July, I feel we've finally managed to grasp our clients' needs and align our development culture. Moving forward, I aim to develop in a way that's even more closely aligned with our clients, striving to be of greater service.

－Mr. Kikukawa, Mr. Mizumura, thank you for your valuable insights.

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