Hiya, my name is Simon and I'm a UK based web/marketing freelancer.

A client recently told me that he runs his entire contractor database, that runs his event staffing (festivals and mass crowd events) via an excel spreadsheet. I suggested (sensing the opportunity to do something different) that there might be some off-the-shelf database technology that could be adapted to his business with a relatively low build time and cost.

…and he agreed to let me pitch an idea or two. I did some research and found ZOHO, and on the surface at least, I think that it could with a modicum of tweaking fulfill their needs. However before I commit, I'd love to hear any thoughts that you might have, based on the following outline requirements:

Address book - At it's core will be essentially an addressbook. I have an excel spreadsheet that I can to upload, it has multiple columns, from essential personal information on each contractor, through to personnel files, records of jobs worked, assessment notes, next of kin, etc.

HR - The address book will link to an HR app to ease onboarding, exiting, training, assessment records etc.

Event management - The client then needs ideally to use the DB to search for suitable contractors based on skills/location/training/qualifications etc and invite the shortlist to apply for the job. Then I'm hoping the: selection/notification/event comms/checkin/incident tracking/task management etc can be bolted together using various modules/apps. This is the key element to the system as it will vastly streamline their workflow. Not to mention adhere to GDPR etc.

And if you're still reading, here is a shortlist of my queries:

1. is ZOHO capable of building what I have outlined above?
2. Will a reasonably capable 52y/o (not as tech savvy as I used to be) website builder be able to master this, with the help of instructional videos?
3. How many hours (I know, piece of string stuff) might this take to assemble and bench test?
4. Is there anyone out there (ideally in my timezone) who might be able to assist me, as and when I get stuck, for an hourly rate of course!
5. I assume all contractors will need to download the app and that the number of users relates to the number of office staff who will need to be able to work on the back end.

Finally a smile and thanks for reading this far : )

I you are interested in helping me to build this, I have attached a portion of my proposal, which fleshes-out my requirements a little bit more.