21 January 2025

Cost Optimisation with Kosta – How to Boost Your Bottom Line With AI, Automation & Workflows

Cost Optimisation with Kosta – How to Boost Your Bottom Line With AI, Automation & Workflows
Business Focus Podcast

Cost Optimisation with Kosta – How to Boost Your Bottom Line With AI, Automation & Workflows

In this episode, we sit down with Kosta, our Head of Software Development at First Focus. From creating seamless automation processes to delivering on-demand reporting and crafting bespoke web and app solutions, Kosta breaks it all down with real-world examples that will inspire you to think differently about your business operations.

Episode Highlights: 

  • How automation can save hours of manual labour and boost efficiency.
  • The power of on-demand reporting to drive smarter decisions.
  • Real-life examples, like fleet management systems, action-learning tools, and clever data integrations that deliver results.

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Using AI, Automation & Software Development to Save Time & Optimise Business Costs: Insights from Kosta’s Expertise

Innovation lies at the heart of business growth and success. From web and app development to automation and data reporting, businesses are finding new ways to streamline processes and create value. In a recent discussion with Kosta, Head of Software Development at First Focus, we explored how tailored software solutions are helping businesses stay competitive, achieve efficiency, and deliver exceptional outcomes. This blog summarises key insights from that conversation, offering practical examples and strategies that could inspire innovation in your business.

The Core Pillars of Software Development at First Focus

Kosta and his team focus on four key areas to help businesses achieve transformative results:

  • Web Development: Crafting websites that not only showcase a brand but also serve as functional tools to drive engagement and conversions.
  • App Development: Building custom applications to support unique business processes, enable integrations, and automate workflows.
  • On-Demand Reporting: Providing management with the insights they need to make informed decisions through effective data pipelines and user-friendly dashboards.
  • Automation: Reducing repetitive tasks and increasing operational efficiency through robotic process automation (RPA) and tailored workflows.

These pillars are underpinned by a commitment to innovation—a willingness to think differently and harness technology to address challenges in creative ways.

Web and App Development: Beyond the Basics

Many businesses understand the importance of having a well-designed website, but the potential of web development extends far beyond aesthetics. Kosta highlighted a project with Dementia Alliance International, where the focus was on accessibility and simplicity. This organisation—run by and for people with dementia—required a website that was easy to navigate and manage.

Beyond creating an accessible frontend, the development team implemented features to streamline administrative tasks, such as automating email notifications for blog updates. This small but significant enhancement reduced manual work and ensured consistency, proving that thoughtful web development can deliver value on multiple levels.

App development takes customisation a step further. Whether it’s integrating satellite data to estimate lawn sizes for a subscription-based mowing service or enabling mobile-friendly professional training platforms, bespoke applications can address specific business needs. By developing software that mirrors and enhances unique business processes, companies can create competitive advantages that set them apart.

Automation: Simplify, Streamline, Succeed

Automation—the backbone of operational efficiency—is about reducing manual effort and ensuring consistency. As Kosta explained, “Anything that can be defined as a process or flow diagram can often benefit from automation.”

For example, an e-commerce business faced a weekly challenge: manually reviewing hundreds of orders to correct address errors, optimise packaging, and generate shipping labels. By automating these tasks, the business reduced a 30-hour workload to just four hours. This freed up team members to focus on higher-value activities while ensuring greater accuracy and scalability.

Similarly, automating employee onboarding workflows has proven transformative. Processes like setting up payroll, creating Microsoft accounts, and assigning licenses are high-volume and repetitive. Mapping these workflows and automating key steps not only saves time but ensures a seamless experience for new hires.

Data Warehousing and Reporting: Turning Information into Insight

Access to the right data, at the right time, empowers businesses to make informed decisions. Data warehousing consolidates information from various systems into a central repository, making it easier to generate meaningful reports. As Kosta explained, “With all your data in one location, you can create data views that tie together key metrics, helping decision-makers see the bigger picture.”

Consider a financial services client needing detailed transaction reports tailored to specific accounting standards. By creating a data pipeline and developing interactive dashboards in Power BI, the team at First Focus enabled the client to visualise financial trends, track performance, and make data-driven decisions. This approach ensures that reporting is not just a compliance exercise but a strategic tool.

Innovation in Action: Staying Ahead of the Curve

Innovation is about leveraging technology to support what makes a business unique. A standout example is a client specialising in fleet tyre management. By integrating advanced sensors and laser tread depth scanning into their software, they’ve streamlined maintenance processes and gained insights into tyre performance. This not only improved efficiency but also allowed for better vendor management and cost control.

Similarly, a professional training organisation embraced innovation by recognising workplace learning. They developed software to capture evidence of on-the-job skills, enabling employees to earn qualifications without attending formal courses. This approach not only disrupted the traditional training model but also aligned with modern workforce needs.

The Value of a Planning and Design Workshop

Every successful software project begins with clarity. At First Focus, planning and design workshops are a critical first step. These sessions help define objectives, map existing processes, and identify constraints. By aligning stakeholders and establishing a clear roadmap, these workshops ensure that development efforts deliver measurable value.

Kosta emphasised the importance of asking the right questions during this stage. “When you’re clear on the outcomes you want, it’s easier to determine what’s required to achieve them. This not only saves time and resources but ensures a better return on investment.”

Conclusion: Start Your Innovation Journey

Innovation doesn’t have to mean reinventing the wheel. By focusing on the four pillars—web development, app development, automation, and reporting—businesses can identify opportunities to streamline processes, enhance customer experiences, and achieve growth.

Whether you’re looking to automate repetitive tasks, develop a custom application, or create meaningful reports, the team at First Focus is ready to guide you through the process. With a thoughtful approach to planning and a commitment to understanding your unique needs, they can help you unlock the full potential of your business.

Ready to start your journey? Reach out to Kosta and the team today to explore how software development can drive innovation in your organisation.

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