Blog
Automation, AI and open source for your SME
Practical, jargon-free ideas to help your SME recover time, cut errors and grow.
From Excel to a real system: migrate your data without the pain
Your Excel has outgrown its job, but you're terrified of switching. We explain how to make the leap to a proper system without losing data or sleep along the way.
Common mistakes when automating (and how to avoid them)
Automating badly costs more than not automating at all. We review the five mistakes we see most often in SMEs and how to dodge them so technology works in your favor.
Cybersecurity for SMEs: the bare minimum, now
The big security breaches aren't the only ones that cost money. We share the basic measures any SME can put in place this week without breaking the bank.
Workflow automation: connect your apps
Your programs do not talk to each other and someone bridges them by hand. Here is how to connect your applications with open-source tools so information flows on its own.
Data sovereignty: your data on your server
When your data lives on someone else's server, you depend on their rules, their prices, and their availability. We explain what data sovereignty is and why it benefits you as an SME.
The ROI of automation: how to calculate it
Before automating anything it is worth knowing whether it will pay off. We teach you to calculate the return on investment with simple numbers and no impossible spreadsheets.
Predicting sales and late payments with machine learning
Machine learning sounds like a laboratory, but applied well it helps your SME anticipate sales and spot customers at risk of late payment using the data you already have.
Legal web scraping: keep an eye on the competition
Checking competitor prices by hand is slow and easy to forget. Web scraping done right automates it and, within the law, alerts you when something changes.
Dashboards: making decisions with data
A good dashboard turns the data you already have into clear answers so you can make better decisions. Here is how to build a useful one without overcomplicating things.
Odoo: the open-source ERP for your SME
If your business runs on scattered spreadsheets and programs that don't talk to each other, an open-source ERP like Odoo can bring order without tying you to a single company.
Automating WhatsApp Business in your SME
WhatsApp is where your customers are, but handling it by hand eats up hours. We tell you what you can automate to save time without losing the personal touch.
AI assistants with your documents (RAG)
An assistant that answers questions by reading your own manuals, contracts, and procedures. We explain what RAG is and why it's the sensible way to use AI in your SME.
OCR and AI: capture invoices without typing
Entering invoices and delivery notes into the computer by hand is slow and the odd error slips through. We explain how OCR powered by artificial intelligence reads those documents for you.
Which process to automate first in your SME
Automating everything at once is a recipe for failure. We teach you a simple method to choose the first process, the one that will give you a quick, measurable win.
RPA or AI: what you need to automate
Not every automation needs artificial intelligence. We explain the difference between RPA and AI with clear examples so you choose the right tool and don't overpay.
AI for SMEs: where it truly adds value
Not all artificial intelligence is useful for your business. We separate the uses that save an SME time and money from the fads that only create noise and expense.
Open-source vs proprietary software: avoid lock-in
The license price is just the tip of the iceberg. We explain what lock-in is, how proprietary software gets more expensive over time, and why open-source software protects your business.
Automatic bank reconciliation for SMEs
Balancing the bank by hand every month eats up time and wears you out. We explain how to automate bank reconciliation and reclaim hours at every close, without changing banks or accountants.
Verifactu: get your SME's invoicing ready
The new verifiable invoicing regulation changes how you issue your invoices. We explain what Verifactu is, who it affects and how to adapt without the stress.
What is process automation in an SME
Automation is not the stuff of sci-fi robotics: it is letting software handle the repetitive tasks so your team can focus on what truly matters. We explain it without the jargon.