The Challenge

As Bombayworks expanded, so did the complexity of managing their operations and project data. The team relied on various tools like time tracking software, HR management software, and employee scheduling software. However, these tools operated independently, making it difficult to get a complete overview of their data.

One major challenge was generating custom reports from the time tracking app. Bombayworks needed to track client billable rates while excluding internal time, a function the standard interface couldn’t provide. Additionally, they couldn’t link scheduling data from the employee scheduling software with time tracking data.

The Search for a Solution

To tackle these challenges, Bombayworks explored several solutions. They initially tried using Zapier to automate data imports into Airtable but found it lacking in handling bulk data transfers and missing integrations with some of their key tools.

This led Karl Lofdahl to discover Data Fetcher, which promised easy API integrations within Airtable. Despite having no background as a software developer, Karl quickly learned how to use APIs with Data Fetcher, finding it far simpler than other tools he had previously tried.

Implementing Data Fetcher

Karl began by connecting Airtable with the various tools Bombayworks relied on. Data Fetcher made it easy to set up custom API requests, allowing him to pull data directly from these tools and Bombayworks’ internal systems into Airtable.

Scheduling regular data imports was straightforward, ensuring that Airtable always had the latest information from each tool. For bulk imports, Data Fetcher outperformed event-triggered workflows in Zapier, providing a more reliable and scalable solution.

Impact of Data Fetcher

With the time tracking app integrated into Airtable, Karl was finally able to create the custom reports that the time tracking app couldn’t provide on its own. This significantly improved the management of both internal and client time. Integrating the employee scheduling software further allowed Bombayworks to combine scheduling and time tracking data in Airtable, giving the team a comprehensive view of their operations.

Beyond improving reporting, centralizing their data in Airtable enabled the creation of additional tools, like a salary revision app built on top of HR data and a forecast overview of the team planning tool. Karl also plans to use Data Fetcher’s currency conversion feature to automate exchange rate calculations.

"Data Fetcher has been my guide into the world of APIs. I could never have done this with other tools like Postman—Data Fetcher made it so much easier!"

For Karl, learning to work with APIs not only simplified his job, but also played a crucial role in transforming Bombayworks’ operations.

Wrapping up

Bombayworks’ use of Data Fetcher has greatly simplified their operations, making it easier to manage projects, track time, and handle HR tasks—all within Airtable. By automating processes and creating custom reports, they’ve freed up valuable time to focus on delivering top-tier digital projects, with Data Fetcher playing a key role in their continued success.

Ready to streamline your operations like Bombayworks? Get started with Data Fetcher today.