On-site engineering support that immerses itself in the hotel environment and keeps the
development process moving forward
For a fixed monthly fee, a Forward Deployed Engineer works on-site part-time. They identify challenges faced by both the field and management, and use AI-driven development to deliver a prototype by the following week.
The bottleneck in hotel digital transformation isn’t technology. “Identifying the real challenges on the ground and translating them into requirements” —this is the most difficult part, and it’s where the greatest value is created.
That’s why UPBOND chose an approach that goes beyond simply building and delivering a product —we’ve chosen to immerse ourselves in the field and keep the process running. Our Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) are on-site part-time, identifying issues every week and using AI-driven development to turn them into tangible results by the following week. We build only what’s actually used, at the pace of the business.
Contract-based system integration does not align with the hotel industry's business cycle.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan has grown to 42.7 million (Source: Nihon Keizai Shimbun). While on-site operations are changing daily, traditional system integration (SI) projects remain stuck in a cycle of “defining requirements → creating a quote → development, followed by a new quote every time a change is made.”
- Start work only after the requirements have been finalized. We cannot keep up with changes on-site.
- Every time there's a change in specifications, the process slows down due to having to re-quote and renegotiate contracts.
- The burden of defining requirements falls heavily on the client (the hotel)
- Deliver it and that's it. Even if it isn't used, it won't be detected.
- FDE operates on a semi-permanent basis, gathering feedback on operational and management challenges on a weekly basis.
- Fixed monthly fee based on a phased system. No additional charges apply even if specifications change.
- FDE is in charge of defining the requirements. The hotel just needs to describe its "problems."
- With AI-driven development, you can create a prototype in a few days to a week, and if it works well, move it into production.
What is an FDE (Forward Deployed Engineer)?
"Technical Skills," "Understanding of Customers and Business Operations," and "Problem-Solving"—an engineer who possesses all three of these skills. They take on-the-ground challenges and turn them into working products in the most efficient way possible.
Engineering Capabilities
Strong programming and implementation skills. Quickly deploying our in-house products to match the on-site environment.
Understanding Customers and Business Operations (Consultation)
Quickly grasp on-site workflows and business practices, and elicit honest feedback and precise requests.
Problem Solving
Identify and structure the real issues, bridge the gap between technology and business, and drive results.
This is a globally recognized engineering model whose adoption is expanding from Palantir to OpenAI, Anthropic, and Accenture.
A 3-Step Loop to Run Every Week
We continuously run a cycle ranging from identifying issues to production implementation in 1- to 2-week intervals. Since we operate on a phased approach, there are no additional costs associated with this iterative process.
① Identify Issues
FDE operates on a semi-permanent basis, gathering feedback on issues weekly from both field staff and management. It then prioritizes these issues and translates them into requirements.
② AI-Driven Prototyping
Using AI-driven development, we create prototypes in a matter of days to a week. We deliver them in a state where you can actually try them out and evaluate them.
③ If all goes well, proceed with the actual implementation
If it shows promise, we’ll move on to full implementation. Then on to the next challenge—we’ll keep this cycle going.
Core Product Portfolio
We’re not starting from scratch. We’ll quickly address the specific challenges of each facility by building on three proven platforms.
Pre-Check-In (QR)
Register your identity verification information via your smartphone before visiting the store. At the front desk, the process is completed simply by scanning a QR code.
AI Concierge
Multilingual AI autonomously responds to guest inquiries via WhatsApp and LINE, providing personalized information about the surrounding area and the hotel.
Analytics Dashboard
Visualize check-in rates, language distribution, and inquiry details. Share insights with frontline staff on what to improve next.
Implementation Results at APA Hotels
Streamline check-in for international guests while reducing the workload on front desk staff. AI automatically handles multilingual support.
Estimated Fees
A fixed monthly fee based on a phased structure. Pricing is determined by the combination of “FDE (person)” and “AI Engineer (unit).” Even if specifications change, there are no additional costs for the development cycle.
60 100,000 yen / month
FDE 0.2 + 0.5 AI Engineers
An entry-level plan to start small on-site and gauge the response.
138 1.38 million yen / month
FDE 0.5 + 1 AI Engineer
A standard configuration for fully implementing the requirements gathering and development cycle.
276 million yen / month
FDE 1.0 + 2 AI Engineers
The maximum configuration, with FDE running semi-resident and multiple themes running in parallel.
All plans follow a 3-month phased system. There are no additional charges for specification changes or iterations within each phase.
1 unit = a dedicated quota of 400M tokens per month ≒ the development output equivalent to one person-month of a human engineer (operating 24 hours a day, in parallel).
Purchasing the same amount at the API list price would cost approximately 480,000 yen. For the same amount, this package includes AI supervision, development support, quality and security reviews, and accountability for results. UPBOND absorbs the fluctuation risk associated with pay-as-you-go billing by offering a fixed-price solution.
Depending on the number of facilities
Pre-Check-In / AI Concierge / Analytics Platform
We’ll tailor our proposal based on the number of facilities and the scope of functions. We’ll get the system up and running quickly, building on our existing product portfolio.
* The information above is for reference only. We will propose the optimal plan based on the size of your facility and the scope of your challenges. Please contact us for details.
Start the development process from the hotel site
First, please tell us about the challenges you’re facing on-site. We’ll then propose a plan for implementing Travel FDE and outline the design for the initial phase.