The client needed an internal system for task management, time tracking, and work planning. We recommended not building the entire solution from scratch, but leveraging the advantages of Redmine, a proven project management tool with a robust API.
To maintain flexibility and adapt to specific business processes, we chose a combination of Redmine and FileMaker database. Redmine serves as a standardized backend for logging tasks and time, while FileMaker adds a custom frontend layer offering features like workload summaries and capacity planning.
This combination allowed us to implement a reliable, established system without the need to develop a complete project management solution in-house, while still offering full customization of internal workflows, dashboards, and processes. Communication between the systems is bidirectional — FileMaker retrieves data from Redmine (including tasks and time entries) and also writes back information such as hours spent on tasks.
Part of the solution is also a web-based Client Portal used for communication with customers. It utilizes data from both Redmine and FileMaker and ensures two-way synchronization of requests. Compared to Redmine, the portal is less detailed, showing customers only the essential information. Through the portal, customers can conveniently submit new requests and, most importantly, track their current status. They are automatically notified of important updates.
