Customised Applications

Software that fits your business — not the other way around.

Every business has its own way of doing things. Sometimes the software you're using doesn't quite fit, and sometimes there simply isn't anything available that does what you actually need.

That's where we come in.

We build customised applications around the way your business actually works — whether you're replacing spreadsheets and paper forms, collecting information out in the field, managing stock, tracking jobs, streamlining approvals or bringing different parts of the business together.

We start with the process, not the technology. We look at what you're doing now, what is causing the headaches and what information you actually need. From there, we work out what the application needs to do and build it around that.

What can a customised application help with?

• Replace spreadsheets that have become difficult to manage

• Move paper forms into digital workflows

• Capture information in the field while you're actually doing the job

• Track jobs, stock, equipment or other business processes

• Bring information together instead of having it scattered across different places

• Automate the steps around your data so less gets entered manually

• Create dashboards and reports from the information you're already collecting

• Build something specific when off-the-shelf software just doesn't quite cut it

The important bit

We're not interested in building something just because we can.

The application needs to make the job easier for the people actually using it. If there's a simpler way to solve the problem without building anything at all, we'll tell you that too.

Built around your business. Built to actually be used.

Workflow Automation

Let the repetitive stuff happen by itself.

There are plenty of jobs in a business that don't really need someone doing them manually.

Copying information from one system to another. Sending the same emails. Updating spreadsheets. Chasing approvals. Creating reports. Moving files around. Checking whether something has been done.

None of these things are particularly difficult — they just eat time. And when people are doing them manually, there's always the chance something gets missed along the way.

That's where workflow automation can make a real difference.

We look at the steps involved in a process and work out which parts can happen automatically. Information can move between systems, notifications can be triggered, records can be updated and the next step can happen without someone having to remember to do it.

What can we automate?

• Move information between systems without re-entering it manually

• Trigger notifications and reminders when something needs attention

• Automate approvals and follow-up steps

• Create documents, reports or records automatically

• Update databases and spreadsheets when something changes

• Reduce repetitive data entry

• Connect different apps and systems so they work together

• Create workflows around the way your business actually operates

The important bit

Automation isn't about making everything automatic just because we can.

Sometimes a five-minute manual task isn't worth automating. Other times, a seemingly small task repeated hundreds of times becomes a huge drain on someone's time.

We look at where automation will actually make a difference and build it around the way your business works.

The goal isn't to replace people.

It's to stop people spending their time doing things a computer could have done for them.

Business Process Optimisation

Find a better way to get the job done.

Sometimes the problem isn't the software. It's the process itself.

A task might have started out as a simple way of doing things, but over time more steps get added, more people become involved, and suddenly a job that should take ten minutes takes half an hour — or gets done three different ways by three different people.

That's where we come in.

We look at how work actually happens, from the first step through to the finished result. We identify unnecessary steps, bottlenecks, duplication and the little frustrations that add up over time.

Then we work with you to find a simpler, more practical way of doing it.

What can we help with?

• Map out existing processes and understand how things really work

• Find bottlenecks and unnecessary steps

• Reduce double-handling and duplicated work

• Simplify complicated workflows

• Improve how information moves between people and systems

• Identify where technology could genuinely help

• Work out what should be changed, automated or left alone

• Create clearer, more consistent ways of working

The important bit

We don't assume that because something has always been done a certain way, it's the best way to do it.

And we don't automatically reach for technology as the answer either.

Sometimes the best improvement is a new app. Sometimes it's automation. Sometimes it's simply getting rid of three unnecessary steps and doing the job differently.

We look at the whole process first and work out what actually makes sense for your business.

Because there's not much point automating a process that's already a pain in the arse. 😂

Data & Reporting

Turn your data into something you can actually use.

Most businesses have more information than they realise.

It might be sitting in spreadsheets, databases, apps, accounting systems or a dozen different places — but having the data is one thing. Being able to see what it is telling you is another.

We help bring that information together and turn it into reports, dashboards and useful insights that make it easier to understand what's happening in your business.

Whether you need a better way to track performance, monitor what's happening day-to-day or give management a clear picture of the bigger picture, we can help make the information easier to access and understand.

What can we help with?

• Bring data together from different systems and sources

• Replace manual reports and spreadsheets that take hours to prepare

• Build dashboards that give you the information you need at a glance

• Track key figures and performance

• Create automated reporting so information is ready when you need it

• Make data easier to access for the people who need it

• Turn raw information into something meaningful

• Connect your applications and data so reporting doesn't become another manual job

The important bit

A dashboard isn't useful just because it looks good.

We want to understand what you actually need to know and then work backwards from there.

What information matters? Who needs to see it? How often? Where does it come from? And can we make the whole process of getting that information easier?

Sometimes the answer is a simple report. Sometimes it's a live dashboard. Sometimes it's fixing the way the data is collected in the first place.

Because there isn't much point having loads of data if you still can't answer the bloody question you started with. 😂

Business & Workflow Consulting

Not sure what the problem is? We’ll have a look.

Sometimes you know something isn't working properly, but you can't quite put your finger on what needs to change.

Maybe people are constantly chasing information. Maybe the same job is being done in three different places. Maybe there's a spreadsheet nobody really understands anymore. Or maybe everyone has just accepted that “that's how we do it” — even though it's a bloody pain. 😂

That's where we can help.

We take a look at how your business actually works, talk to the people involved and follow the process from beginning to end. We look for bottlenecks, unnecessary steps, duplicated work and anything else that's making life harder than it needs to be.

From there, we'll give you practical recommendations on what could be improved — whether that means changing a process, using your existing systems differently, introducing automation, building a customised application or bringing in another solution.

What can we help with?

• Look at how your business currently works

• Identify bottlenecks and problem areas

• Map out workflows and processes

• Find where time and information are being lost

• Review how existing software and systems are being used

• Identify opportunities for automation or improvement

• Recommend practical solutions based on your actual needs

• Help you work out what to do next

The important bit

You don't have to come to us knowing exactly what you need.

You don't need to know whether you need an app, automation, a new system or something completely different.

That's part of what we're here for.

We'll look at the problem first and work out what makes sense — even if the answer isn't something Flotra needs to build.

Because sometimes the best advice we can give you is:

“Don't build anything. There's a much easier way.”

And we're perfectly happy with that.