Craig BakerPractical Technology Consulting
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Practical Technology Consulting · Johannesburg

Turn messy processes into smarter systems.

I find where the work gets stuck, then design and build the fix: the workflows, integrations and custom systems that off-the-shelf software doesn’t quite cover.

15+ years building business systems. Founder of the company behind the Saleboat CRM.

Who I’ve built for

Clients described, not named. The work speaks for itself.

  • LogisticsA national courier networkCustomised workflows and online interfaces.
  • DistributionA multinational dental-equipment distributorCustomised workflows and online interfaces.
  • PropertyA mid-size property management firmThe whole tenant lifecycle, on one platform. Seven years and still building.
  • PaymentsA retail payment technology startupCustom purchasing, post-sale and logistics tools.
  • TelecomsA new fixed-wireless ventureLogo, brand guidelines and website, as one system.

Why it works

Most consultants hand you a report. Most developers build exactly what you asked for. I work out what you actually need, then build it.

often not what was first asked for

I’ve run the business side.

Over a decade as a founder and MD, and still running brands of my own. I test the playbook on my own businesses before I recommend it to yours.

I’ve built the technical side.

Custom workflows and online systems for a multinational dental-equipment distributor, a national courier network and a payments startup.

Nothing gets lost in between.

Owners, managers, developers and the people doing the work, in one conversation. The fix fits how your business actually runs.

More about Craig →

Find the friction

The work is harder than it needs to be.

Tick whatever sounds like your week. Most businesses I meet tick at least two.

Selected work · Property management

Seven years in, and still building.

A mid-size property firm was losing track of tenants, applications and leases. One pain point at a time, it became one platform for the whole tenant lifecycle.

Before

  • Tenant communication was unreliable and hard to follow
  • Rental applications were missed or delayed
  • Leases sat in limbo in email threads and spreadsheets
  • Tenants were unhappy with response times

Since 2019

  • Tenant communication improved drastically
  • All applicants managed and leases completed timeously
  • Interactions take less time, so each staff member is more productive
  • New workflows still being added, seven years on

Read the full case study →

View all case studies →

My approach

Practical before complicated.

  1. 1

    Understand how the work really happens

    Not the process diagram from three years ago, but the actual steps, workarounds, and shortcuts your team uses today.

  2. 2

    Find the friction and wasted effort

    Where does time disappear? Where do errors creep in? Where do handoffs break down?

  3. 3

    Design a better workflow

    Simpler steps, clearer ownership, and a path that respects how your people actually work.

  4. 4

    Choose or build the right technology

    Sometimes that means better use of existing tools. Sometimes a new integration or a focused custom build.

  5. 5

    Help implement it properly

    Technology only works if people adopt it. I stay involved through rollout, training, and the first fixes.

Read my approach →

Craig really understood exactly what I wanted and executed it perfectly… He answered all my questions knowledgeably with the greatest of patience.
Judy, Virtually Anything
“Craig and his team were professional, responsive, and easy to reach throughout the entire project. They resolved every issue promptly, brought my vision for the website to life, and I would gladly recommend them.”
Independent visual artist, Portfolio website client

Work across

  • Courier and logistics
  • FMCG wholesale
  • Payments
  • Property
  • Retail
  • Professional services

Have a process that should work better?

Tell me where the friction is. You’ll speak to me directly, and you’ll get an honest view on whether it’s worth fixing.