Think fast
Thoughts and ideas on how to build tools, automate workflows and speed-up the workplace.
6 ServiceNow Alternatives & Competitors for 2025
ServiceNow is totally synonymous with IT service management. In fact, it’s hugely embedded in how countless IT teams deliver services to colleagues. However, despite its dominant market share, it’s not the only option out there. See, ITSM is a hugely varied field. Even the most basic processes can look completely different from one company to the next. This raises a couple of problems for COTS ITSM platforms. Vendors inevitably need to position their solutions towards one type of team or another - even at the level of individual features.
Ronan McQuillan
Oct 25, 2024
Build an Inventory Management App for Free
Keeping track of stock is one of the most fundamental processes in any customer-facing business. Today, we’re checking out how to build a custom inventory management app for free - in just 20 minutes. Even better, since we’re going to use Budibase to build it, you’ll barely need any coding skills - and we’ll have a fully functional application before your coffee gets cold. All we need to do is connect our data, add a couple of custom queries, and start using Budibase’s built-in components to create a professional UI for managing stock levels.
Ronan McQuillan
Oct 23, 2024
How to Build a Database GUI | In-Depth Guide
Database GUI (Graphical User Interface) are tools that allow you to interact with databases even if you aren’t a programmer. In addition, they are useful for programmers, since they provide quick ways to get data. When it comes to picking the right database GUI for you, things get tricky. Although there are a lot of options out there, there are many things to take into account. From something as simple as pricing to more complex considerations, like the functionality provided.
Ronan McQuillan
Oct 22, 2024
Create a Free MySQL GUI in 5 Steps
MySQL is one of the most popular database systems out there. And that’s for a good reason. It is lightweight, fast, easy to learn, and widely available. Using a MySQL GUI to manage your databases will help you make the most out of this tool. A GUI (Graphical User Interface) allows you to interact with your database with a visual interface. This allows you to see your data and use visual elements as opposed to text-based terminals and command lines.
Ronan McQuillan
Oct 20, 2024
How to Create Forms for SQL Databases in 3 Steps
Databases are vital for every business. But as soon as you create your database, a question arises. How can you maintain the information you store? Of course, you could write out queries manually, but you’ll also want a way for less technical staff to enter data. This means building forms. Today we’ll look at how to create forms for SQL databases. You can also use forms to limit access to your database.
Ronan McQuillan
Oct 3, 2024
How to Create a Data Entry Form for Google Sheets in 7 Steps
Obviously, Google Sheets is great for collaboratively managing all sorts of data. There are big downsides here too though, especially if you’re working at scale. One solution is using a form to enter data into Google Sheets. Today, we’re going to look at exactly how you can do this in Budibase. There are a bunch of other ways you could do this too, of course. We’re biased, but we think Budibase is the best option.
Ronan McQuillan
Oct 1, 2024
How to make an App from Excel Spreadsheets
We love to hate spreadsheets. They’re everywhere. We use Excel for everything from planning our vacations and weddings, to managing inventories, payroll, and just about any other business process under the sun. But, like any blunt instrument, spreadsheets are almost the most elegant solution. Today, we’re going to look at a better way to manage data, calculations, and workflows. That is, how to make an app from Excel spreadsheets. You see, spreadsheets offer a huge amount of flexibility - there’s a reason why they’re so ubiquitous.
Ronan McQuillan
Sep 21, 2024
Design Beautiful Apps With the New 'Grid' Drag & Drop Layout
Introducing an easier way to build interfaces with Budibase with the new Grid layout. The Grid layout offers dynamic drag-and-drop functionality, letting you move and resize components across your screen with ease. Creating powerful and visually appealing applications in minutes has never been easier. You can now drag components around your screen and quickly resize them using the anchors on the corners and sides. As shown above, some components, such as tables, expand to fill the full container space.
Jamie Birss
Aug 24, 2024