In 2013 when I started trading with Proudhouse, I knew that I would need a software management system. Spreadsheets and MS Office lacked functionality. I knew that I would need to automate repetitive tasks etc. I also knew that it would be very difficult to employ staff in the absence of an easy-to-use interface that would ensure consistent results and outputs.
Very long story short: With initial guidance from a friend, I learned how to develop our CRM environment with relational database software called Filemaker.(https://www.claris.com/filemaker/)
It has since been the foundation of our office and management processes. However, I bought lifetime licences to FM13 and we’re now out of date. Furthermore, although it works over a VPN to our office, it’s not Cloud based. And in addition to cost, there are other challenges to migrating it to a Cloud based version of Filemaker.
So – we have a challenge: we need a new system. Over the last 12 months we have trialled other industry solutions. But they’re not suitable – the flexibility and bespoke nature of using our purpose-built solution has spoiled us.
So our requirements are:
- Cloud based solution
- Predominantly mobile-app based technology allowing staff to work and update records from anywhere
- Easy, intuitive interface
- Ability to develop and support from in-house (ie, I’m the support guy)
- No-code or minimal code solution
- Integration with existing software in use
The solution so far seems to be Google AppSheet. We use Google Workspace anyway. I’ll blog every step until our solution is up and running. Let’s see how this goes!