#112 - No-code as a competitive advantage - with Thomas Karcher

Thomas Karcher is Managing Director of the Butz & Bürker print shop, a traditional company now in its third generation. What at first glance appears to be an ordinary print shop with some 60-year-old machines is actually a digital pioneer.
Published by
Adriano Villa Bascón
Created on
September 4, 2024

Thomas has completely digitalized his company with no-code tools, giving him a massive competitive advantage. In this blog post, we dive into Thomas' no-code journey, learn about his tools and discover how his story can be an inspiration for any business.

‍Theno-code journey begins with a problem

Thomas' no-code adventure did not begin out of pure curiosity, but out of sheer necessity. He couldn't find a suitable ERP system for his print shop that met his individual needs and was affordable at the same time. The standard solutions were either too expensive or too inflexible. Frustrated by endless Excel calculations and the feeling of being left behind by digitized online print shops, Thomas decided to take matters into his own hands.

Ninox - The first step into the digital world

Thomas discovered Ninox through VisualMakers and began to digitize his processes. Initially, he created a simple database to record paper orders, delivery dates and addresses. This database quickly developed into a rudimentary ERP system that gave Thomas and his employees the overview they were looking for.

With Ninox, Thomas immersed himself in the world of databases and structures. He learned iteratively and hands-on, discarding unsuitable solutions and fine-tuning his system. Through VisualMakers and courses such as"Make Fundamentals", he developed an understanding of frontend and backend that helped him to think through complex processes and transform them into digital solutions.

The aha experience: no-code as a personal kick

Thomas' real drive was not just the optimization of his processes, but the "kick" he experienced when solving challenges with no-code tools. No-code became his personal hobby, which kept him glued to his laptop in the evenings while the TV went unnoticed. Over time, Thomas' no-code stack grew and he discovered new tools like Retool. Retool allowed him to build a front-end for his existing cloud-based MIS system, providing the flexibility he was missing. He was able to create checklists, status overviews and automated processes that made his employees' work easier and increased efficiency.

n8n - The key to maximum flexibility

When Thomas needed even more complex automation and the integrations of tools such as Make or Zapier were not enough, he came across n8n.io. n8n is an open source platform for automation that enables maximum flexibility through custom integrations and self-developed nodes. Thomas was able to build his own calculation engine with n8n, which still allows him to carry out complex price calculations in no time at all.

No-code as a competitive advantage - faster, more flexible, more efficient

Thomas' No-Code Journey has taken his print shop to a new level. He was able to digitize processes that were too individual and complex for traditional ERP systems. Automation has increased efficiency, reduced costs and minimized errors. The result: a massive competitive advantage over competitors who are still clinging to old, rigid processes.

The lessons from Thomas' story: courage, curiosity and looking at the customer

What can we learn from Thomas' story?

  • Courage: Don't be afraid to experiment and develop solutions yourself.
  • Curiosity: Remain open to new tools and learn from mistakes.
  • Focus on the customer: Concentrate on the needs of your customers and develop solutions that make their everyday lives easier.

No-code enables any company, regardless of size, to optimize its processes and thus gain a competitive advantage. It is not about writing the perfect code, but about being able to react quickly and flexibly to new challenges.

Click here for the full podcast episode!

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