My experience in Japan with GeneXus

My story with GeneXus began in 1989. At that time I was 19 years old and working in the IT department of the Pension, Subsidy, and Retirement Fund for employees of the Bank of the Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina). One day, Ricardo Ramos – a coworker who was 36 – arrived with two other people and some floppy disks. He installed GeneXus on my IBM PC Series 2 / Model 30 (an 8 MHz XT PC) and, within minutes, built a billing system. This happened while I had already spent a month trying to program in Clipper Summer ’87 to create a quoting system for the insurance area.

When they finished, I approached Ricardo, distressed, and said: “So what I want to study and learn to make a living won’t exist anymore.” He replied: “No – what you need to do is specialize in this kind of technology” (referring to GeneXus).

At 20, I resigned from the bank and started working at MyRSIS, the first official GeneXus distributor in Argentina. Later, when Ricardo left to distribute GeneXus in Mexico, I lost alignment with the remaining partners and decided to resign and found, together with my colleague Gerardo Vidigt – my current partner – BQS – Best Quality Systems.

I offer this humble tribute of gratitude to Ricardo Ernesto Ramos, my mentor in GeneXus, who passed away on February 26, 2026. May he rest in peace.

The Let’s PLAI Project: Integrating AI into Payroll Processing

How did it all begin?

When Aníbal Gonda (GeneXus Partner Manager) invited partners to participate in the first edition of the Let’s PLAI contest, I already had some experience using Globant Enterprise AI. At the time, both my team and I had limited availability, but I felt we had to participate. I thought of asking Marcos Vidig (my partner’s son) to help me with the project. This way, he could access the platform (Globant Enterprise AI) and experiment with interaction from GeneXus.

When I told him my idea of replacing the entire old and complex formula-processing system in our BQS-RH Payroll system (which he had migrated to the web) so that payroll could be processed using only human language, he said: “That’s not going to work.” I replied: “What do you know? Let’s try it! At worst, we can do something less ambitious: ask the AI to review what we’ve already processed to detect errors. But we have to do something – we have to participate. Not necessarily to win, because there are many very capable companies – but to immerse ourselves in what’s coming.”

Project development

On the last day, I prepared a document and submitted the proposal for the Let’s PLAI contest. Once our participation was confirmed, we began modifying our payroll system.

We gathered documents such as payroll manuals from Argentina, the Labor Contract Law, and several collective bargaining agreements to build a RAG Assistance system. And that’s how the work began.

Between distillation and development

Personally, in addition to my passion for Japan and technology, I deeply enjoy the Scottish Highlands, malt whisky, and Scottish distilleries with their traditional copper stills. Over the past three years, I’ve gone deeper into this field: I completed a diploma program and now run a parallel project where I distill and age Argentine single malt whisky. I often work with my computer open next to the still or barrels, combining Globant Enterprise AI and GeneXus 18 between distillation runs.

In fact, I found out that BQS had won the contest and the trip to Japan while attending the Argentine Distillers Congress (CoDeAr) in Rosario. I shared the joy with a fellow spirits producer—so there was no shortage of reasons to celebrate.

The trip to Japan

Preparation

The initial excitement quickly turned into uncertainty when I realized that this trip would involve a series of commitments and responsibilities I hadn’t planned for. Japan – no less! The culture I personally admire most in the world; then come the Germans. And, to keep our humor and style intact, then come us Argentinians!

On a more serious note, I had the task of representing BQS and presenting a project—first virtually to colleagues across the region (through a special GeneXus Webinar series), and then in person to engineers and professionals in Japan.

I prepared my travel checklist, and before I knew it, weeks turned into days. Suddenly, I was on my way.

To begin, I took an Uber to Ezeiza International Airport, over an hour’s drive from my home. However, upon arrival, I realized my first flight was departing from Aeroparque, the other airport in Buenos Aires, just five kilometers from my house. Fortunately, I always allow plenty of time for international flights, so I made it in time – though the mistake clearly reflected my nerves.

Arrival in the Land of the Rising Sun

Everything changed once the plane took off. It was a long trip – the longest I’ve ever taken – but not as exhausting as I expected.

As soon as I boarded Japan Airlines, the respect, courtesy, and quality of Japan were already evident. Once I landed in Narita, the incredible began. Tokyo – a metropolis of 37 million people – is the most relaxed city I’ve ever visited. Its discipline, order, respect, cleanliness, and the kindness of its people made for an unforgettable experience.

On the first night, we were welcomed by Fabián Bonilla and met the other Let’s PLAI contest winners: Enrique Almeida from Concepto (Uruguay) and Jorge Salazar from Valkimia (Chile). Fabián took us to a small traditional bar tucked into the inner streets of a Tokyo neighborhood.

The next day, Ignacio “Nacho” Eirale, a member of the GeneXus team in Uruguay who has been living in Japan for some time, joined us. Fabián and Nacho took us to lunch at another traditional ramen spot (a Japanese noodle dish derived from Chinese cuisine), and then we headed to the GeneXus Japan offices, where we met Owaki-san (CEO of GeneXus Japan) and Moroashi-san (Sales Director). That day we also met part of the GeneXus Japan team, including Yoko, who reminded me of a kind of “Japanese Laura Passaro” – although, as we all know, there’s only one Laura.

The meeting at GeneXus offices was personally very moving. Communicating in English wasn’t easy for me – accents and pronunciation made it challenging, and I don’t fully master the language. Still, it was enough to exchange ideas.

During the meeting, we presented gifts to the directors – a deeply rooted tradition in Japan. Representing BQS and my country, I gave them Argentine national soccer team jerseys with each director’s name on the back and the BQS Software logo on the front.

I also gifted them a London Dry Gin made with juniper from Patagonia and a Single Malt Whisky aged in French oak barrels previously used for Malbec wine from Mendoza – both crafted by me. These creations have a very personal profile. They were surprised to learn I had made them myself. I explained that, in addition to being a software creator, I also produce spirits. It was my way of bringing a small piece of Argentina to Japan.

After the meeting, the three of us, along with Fabián and Ignacio, visited Tokyo Skytree (Japan’s tallest structure), also invited by GeneXus. What can I say? Yet another demonstration of Japan’s essence: order, discipline, strict timing, no lines or delays. It’s hard to believe you’re in a city of 37 million people. It’s incredible.

During the two free days that followed, I spent a lot of time with Enrique Almeida. Enrique had previously been to Japan on a family trip, which made it much easier for me to understand how to get around the city. Through our conversations, I discovered he’s not only a great professional but also someone truly enjoyable to spend time with. So I want to thank Enrique for those days.

Project presentation: AI applied to payroll in Argentina

On Thursday – the day we had to present our projects – we had lunch with Owaki-san and part of his team. It was a typical Japanese meal, with rice as the centerpiece. It was a pleasant experience, but the adrenaline was rising due to the responsibility ahead.

Although it wasn’t my first time speaking at an event, this time I had to present to Japanese professionals and engineers – some younger than me, others my peers. As we say in Argentina, “the bar was set very high.” On top of that, there was the language challenge: I spoke in Spanish and paused for Japanese translation. I had never given a presentation with so many pauses. To make matters more complex, our project dealt with highly specific aspects of payroll processing in Argentina, involving more than 200 collective agreements, each with different rules. The first challenge was getting them to understand why we chose to use AI for this process – something that may seem simple globally but is a real nightmare for Argentine companies and SMEs.

Despite everything, the presentation was understood. Although it’s not customary in Japan for attendees to ask questions afterward, one person asked me the same question I had received during the GeneXus Webinars session (in December 2025).

The project initially delegated mathematical calculations to AI. However, we had observed – and those who have experimented with the technology know – that AI doesn’t perform calculations well. It doesn’t function like a calculator; it “guesses” the next number. It usually gets simple calculations right, but when applying percentages or using many decimal places, it often fails. Fortunately, Globant Enterprise AI allows integration with APIs and tools. That was the expected question – with the exact answer.

Even though the project is a prototype, it wouldn’t be feasible to implement if we couldn’t separate roles – so that calculations are handled by our software, not the AI.

After the presentation

After the presentations, we went to a lounge/bar in the same complex, where we had a toast and the chance to speak directly with participants and the GeneXus Japan team.

The younger members of GeneXus Japan wanted us to try natto – a food that originated during wartime when soybeans had literally spoiled. The fermentation process gave it highly beneficial nutritional properties, and today it’s a traditional Japanese food, though they know it can be challenging for foreigners. It was a challenge I gladly accepted! It was a very fun moment – at night, a bit cold, in a park-like setting within the complex.

Japan, GeneXus, and the Future

By Friday at noon, the transfer arrived to take us back to the airport, bringing an incredible experience – one that went by very quickly – to an end.

From popular knowledge, my grandfather’s stories, and my own experience – using a Canon camera since 1980, a Nikon since 2012, an AKAI audio system almost daily since 1979, and driving a Toyota since 2010 – I knew Japan represents absolute quality. This quality is rooted in a culture of respect, discipline, and honor. Experiencing it firsthand is unparalleled.

That’s why I want to thank GeneXus, GeneXus Japan, Globant, and Aníbal Gonda for promoting the Let’s PLAI contest among partners. Of course, also Fabián, a great host; Jorge Salazar; Ignacio; and all the partners who sent their regards.

I also extend special thanks to the BQS team. I wouldn’t have been able to participate, win, or enjoy this experience without this wonderful group of people.