Skip to content
TRDThe Research Desk, home

02 · Software

Custom internal systems: CRM, operations, inventory and more

Off-the-shelf software makes you change how you work to fit its model. When your process is what makes you competitive, the better answer is a system shaped around it: the records you track, the steps you follow, the people who need to see each piece.

Free first conversation · No obligation · You own the code

§ 01Is this you?

You're likely in the right place if…

  • 01Your 'system' is a spreadsheet plus WhatsApp plus memory.
  • 02You pay for a CRM or ERP but the team works around it.
  • 03Staff need different views and permissions, and a shared sheet can't do that safely.

Sound familiar? Tell us which one on WhatsApp (opens in a new tab) and we'll suggest where to start.

§ 02Deliverables

What we build

  1. 01

    Custom CRM

    Leads, clients, deals and follow-ups modelled on your sales process, with reminders and activity history.

  2. 02

    Operations management

    Jobs, orders, projects or bookings with statuses, owners, deadlines and file handling.

  3. 03

    Inventory and POS

    Stock levels, movements, low-stock alerts and point-of-sale flows connected to invoicing.

  4. 04

    Staff and contractor management

    Assignments, workloads and payouts, with each person seeing only what they should.

  5. 05

    Migration from spreadsheets

    Existing data cleaned, de-duplicated and imported with a reconciliation report, so nothing is lost.

§ 03Approach

How we build it

  1. Preserve the business logic

    We document the rules your team follows today (including the unwritten ones) before replacing the tools that hold them.

  2. Phased cut-over

    Old and new run side by side until the numbers match, then the spreadsheet is retired.

  3. Permissions in the database

    Access is enforced by row-level security, so a bug in one screen can't expose data that role shouldn't see.

Typical stack

  • Next.js
  • TypeScript
  • PostgreSQL
  • Supabase
  • Google Apps Script
  • Tailwind CSS
§ 04FAQ

Questions about internal business systems

01Should we build or buy?

Buy when a mature product fits your process with minor changes. Build when it doesn't, or when the process itself is your edge. We'll give you a straight recommendation, including when that means not hiring us.

02Can you move our data out of spreadsheets?

Yes. We clean and de-duplicate the existing data, import it, and give you a reconciliation report so you can confirm nothing was lost before the old sheet is retired.

03Can the system work on mobile?

Yes. Screens are built responsive, so staff can use the system on phones and tablets as well as desktops.

04Can staff have different permissions?

Yes. Roles such as owner, manager, staff or contractor each get their own access, enforced in the database, with an audit trail of changes.

05Can it send invoices, reminders and notifications?

Yes. Invoices, reminders, status updates and alerts by email or WhatsApp are typical parts of these systems.

06How is the price decided?

After a short study of your process we send a written scope with fixed deliverables, timeline and price. Nothing is charged before you approve it; payment is typically 50% to start and 50% on delivery.

07Who owns the work when it's finished?

You do. Code, accounts and documentation are handed over in your name once the project is paid.

Next step

Ready to talk about internal business systems?

Describe the system you need, or the spreadsheet you've outgrown. We'll ask the right questions and reply with a sensible first version.

Free first conversation · No obligation · NDA on request