From technical debt to future-proof apps

Background

LRF Samköp is the purchasing organization that negotiates benefits and discounts for Sweden’s farmers and LRF members. Two mobile apps are at the center of the member offering: LRF Medlemsrabatter and Samköprabatter. Both serve as tools that make it easy for members to find and use their benefits in everyday life.

The apps were originally built using an older version of React Native. Over time, the maintenance burden grew, and every new OS update introduced risk. The codebase became difficult to extend, and the ability to implement modern security measures was limited. A classic case of technical debt when everything still worked, but at an increasing cost.

Esatto had already been LRF Samköp’s partner for several years, so the conversation about the next development step for the apps came naturally. The choice landed on Flutter, whose high performance, shared codebase for iOS and Android, and architecture enabling faster and more cost-efficient future development made it the perfect fit for the next phase.

The Assignment

The assignment consisted of a complete migration of both apps to Flutter for both iOS and Android resulting in four app versions in total. The functionality would remain the same, but the apps would receive a unified visual identity based on the design of Samköprabatter. LRF Samköp and Esatto’s team agreed on a fixed-price setup and a tight delivery schedule with completion within two months.

To meet both the timeline and budget constraints, we decided from the start to adopt an AI-driven approach. Large parts of the codebase were generated using AI tools, making it possible to quickly establish working versions of both apps.

AI as an Accelerator

The first phase of the project clearly demonstrated what AI-driven development can achieve. Functionality that would previously have taken weeks to build from scratch was implemented rapidly, allowing us to showcase working versions early instead of discussing mockups. As a result, customer feedback became highly concrete from the very first sprint.

The project confirmed that the real leverage in AI-driven projects lies in reducing the number of iterations and associated quality assurance cycles by enabling faster and more efficient work with architecture, requirements, and design foundations.

AI-Driven Development Today

During the LRF Samköp project, three key takeaways emerged that anyone working with AI-driven development projects can benefit from reflecting on:

• AI is an accelerator, not an autopilot.

  The greatest value emerges when AI is used as a guiding tool built on a clear plan, architecture, and set of requirements. Starting a project without that foundation risks having the time savings “eaten up” by endless testing and correction cycles.

• Invest in preparation early in the process.

  Going through a formalized requirements and design phase before development begins is the single biggest factor in keeping iterations under control. The time invested before development pays for itself many times over.

• Testing and design must evolve alongside the code.

  Automated tests, screenshot-based validation against Figma, and parallel testing against the old app all provide faster feedback loops. Human QA remains essential for visual quality, but should be complemented—not replaced—by automation.

The Result

For the members using the apps, the difference was immediately noticeable through faster loading times, smoother animations, and a more unified experience between the two apps.

For LRF Samköp, the delivery means a modern platform that significantly reduces long-term maintenance costs and is easy to expand as new needs arise. The platform includes:

• Four Flutter app versions for LRF Medlemsrabatter and Samköprabatter (both iOS and Android) built on a shared codebase.

• A unified design based on the visual identity of Samköprabatter, including updated logos aligned with LRF’s new brand.

• Improved performance and security through modern architecture, updated dependencies, and a more secure foundational configuration.

• A future-proof platform that shifts budget away from reactive maintenance toward real innovation and continued development.

Has Your App Portfolio Become More Expensive Year After Year?

This case demonstrates both the power of AI-driven development and what it takes to fully unlock its potential. At Esatto, we have the experience, methods, and tools to modernize your digital solutions, whether internal systems, web services, or mobile apps, and we do it in a way where AI becomes the leverage it is meant to be.

Get in touch and we’ll tell you more about how we can help future-proof your digital solutions and build a platform designed to last over time.