What Plugin does

Plugin Co., Ltd. (株式会社プラグイン) is a Sapporo-based custom software development company founded in 2005 (incorporated 2007) that specializes in commissioned business systems, web applications, and LINE mini-apps for Japanese mid-market and enterprise clients. The company's core technology stack centers on PHP and .NET (ASP.NET) with cloud-based web architecture, supplemented by integrations with LINE, Jobcan, SmartRegi, Google Maps, and Pioneer Piomatix LBS APIs. Its product portfolio includes proprietary systems such as 営業365 (map-based sales CRM capable of handling 1 million customer records), 勤怠365 (LINE-integrated attendance management), 採用365 (recruitment management), and digital membership card systems integrated with SmartRegi POS.

The company operates on a project-based commissioned development model with pricing ranging from ¥3M for DX/business automation projects to ¥10M+ for large-scale web platforms, plus ongoing maintenance contracts. Its go-to-market is direct sales-led through website inquiries, free estimate consultations, and IT subsidy application support, serving clients across Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Okinawa. The company has 16 employees and is a consolidated subsidiary of Iridge Inc. (TSE Growth: 3917) since October 2022, which provides access to OMO (Online Merge Offline) solution capabilities combining Iridge's smartphone app marketing expertise with Plugin's custom system development.

Plugin serves a diverse client base spanning marine technology, chemical manufacturing, construction, food/events, and technology sectors, with named clients including 沿岸技術研究センター, 日揮触媒化成, ヴァックスラボ, and Vax Lab. The company has served over 100 clients since founding and holds a Privacy Mark certification (JIS Q 15001). Its positioning is as a niche specialist for custom systems that off-the-shelf software cannot address, offering full-scratch development with end-to-end service from business analysis to operation and maintenance.

Name

Plugin

Legal name

株式会社プラグイン

Website

https://plugins.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Plugin is a Sapporo-based custom software development firm specializing in PHP and .NET business systems, web applications, and LINE mini-apps for Japanese mid-market and enterprise clients across Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Okinawa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Software Development Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Workflow Automation & No-Code Collaboration (BPAMAMAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workplace Automation & Self-Service (RPA for IT, Chatbots, Virtual Agents) (BPAEAIAI), Connector/Adapter Frameworks & Integration Runtimes (HDAEACAJ)

Keywords

• Custom software development
• Web system development
• Commissioned development services
• Business system development
• IT consulting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sapporo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Software Development: Commissioned development of operational systems and web systems. They handle everything from business analysis to manufacturing, operation and maintenance. Pricing ranges from ¥3,000,000 for DX/business automation projects to ¥10,000,000+ for large-scale web platforms.
2. Website Building and Management: Corporate website creation, management, and maintenance services. Includes WordPress customization, design proposals, and ongoing updates.
3. Operation and Maintenance Services: Post-delivery system maintenance, updates, and continuous improvement services. Includes server management with monitoring, security updates, and backup services.
4. IT Subsidy Application Support: IT導入補助金 (IT Introduction Subsidy) support services for clients, helping them apply for government subsidies for their software purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Plugin is a commissioned (受託) custom software development company that designs, builds, and maintains bespoke business systems, web systems, and niche applications for Japanese businesses. It delivers end-to-end services from business analysis and requirements definition through construction, deployment, and ongoing operation/maintenance, primarily using PHP and .NET (ASP.NET) with SQL Server. It also offers corporate website construction and management, and develops proprietary products such as 営業365 (map-linked CRM), 勤怠365 (LINE-based attendance), and 採用365 (recruitment management).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 営業365: 地図連動顧客情報共有システム - A map-based customer information management system for sales staff, allowing them to view and update customer information and sales history while on the go using smartphone browsers.
• 採用365
• 勤怠365
• どこフェス（どこでもお祭り北海道）

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 clients served since 2007 founding
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• 株式会社フェイバーズクリエイションcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023Business partnership promoting diversity & inclusion and new business model creation. Favors Creation operates workplaces for people with disabilities, and Plugin provides project opportunities for their workers to gain skills and experience in software development. Three workers from the facility participated in development work for the JGC Catalysts website renewal project.
• 株式会社アイリッジcoreOthers · 1 October 2022Plugin became a consolidated subsidiary of Iridge (TSE Growth: 4427) on October 31, 2022. Iridge specializes in smartphone app marketing solutions. Plugin joined to provide OMO solutions combining offline and online domains. Management team remained unchanged after acquisition.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cybozu: Cybozu develops the kintone low-code platform and Garoon groupware widely used by Japanese SMBs/mid-market. Plugin explicitly develops kintone plugins and targets the same Japanese SMB workflow-customization segment, making Cybozu both a partner-ecosystem anchor and a broad incumbent competitor.
• Future Corporation: Future Corporation is a mid-large Japanese IT services and consulting firm providing custom system integration, ERP, and digital transformation services. Comparable to Plugin at the custom-system development activity level, but at vastly greater scale and enterprise focus.
• BIPROGY: BIPROGY (formerly Nihon Unisys) is a major Japanese system integrator delivering custom enterprise systems, cloud, and digital services. Comparable as a broader SI incumbent competing for similar custom business-system engagements.
• WingArc 1st: WingArc 1st provides form/OCR/BI and document workflow platforms (SVF, MotionBoard) to Japanese enterprises. Comparable as a workflow and document automation incumbent whose products overlap with Plugin's custom operational system offerings.
• ASTERIA: ASTERIA provides the ASTERIA Warp data integration/iPaaS platform used by Japanese enterprises. Comparable as an established platform player in the integration/automation space where Plugin builds custom integrations with LINE, Jobcan, SmartReceipt, etc.

Direct peers

• RAKUS: RAKUS provides SaaS productivity tools (Rakuraku Meisai, Rakuraku Seisan, Mail Dealer) aimed at Japanese SMBs/mid-market with subsidized pricing and government IT subsidy eligibility. Overlaps directly with Plugin's IT-subsidy-driven SMB workflow software positioning and customer segment.
• Classmethod: Classmethod is a Japan-headquartered, AWS-focused systems integrator and development shop that builds custom cloud/web applications for enterprise clients. Comparable to Plugin in being a technology-centric custom dev firm targeting Japanese enterprises with project-based engagements.
• Startia Holdings: Startia Holdings operates a group of digital marketing and web/system development subsidiaries serving Japanese SMBs and mid-market with custom web and operational systems. Comparable to Plugin as a similarly-sized Japanese group-affiliated custom dev provider.
• Serverworks: Serverworks is a Japanese cloud-native system integrator specializing in AWS-based custom application and infrastructure development. Comparable to Plugin in being a focused, mid-sized custom dev firm targeting enterprise digital transformation projects.

Emerging players

• freee: freee provides cloud accounting, HR, and SaaS ERP solutions for Japanese SMBs — many of which sit on the IT Subsidy eligibility list. Comparable to Plugin as a parallel SMB-focused workflow/operational SaaS player in the same Japanese subsidy-supported buyer segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PluginsOffcial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Plugin