The Challenge
Micro and small businesses in India have long faced a significant hurdle in their financial management. Many of these businesses, accustomed to traditional accounting methods using physical books, found existing digital solutions either too complex or prohibitively expensive.
“We’ve been managing our accounts the same way for years,” shared a local rakhi shop owner. “The thought of switching to software was daunting, both in terms of cost and complexity.”
An entrepreneur added, “Creating GST-compliant invoices and tracking expenses was a time-consuming process. We needed a solution that wouldn’t require a complete overhaul of our operations.”
The Solution: Envoy
Recognising this gap in the market, the team developed Envoy, a comprehensive yet affordable CRM, invoice, and expense management solution tailored for micro and small businesses in India.
Key Features
- Streamlined Invoice Creation: “Now I can create a GST-compliant invoice in under two minutes,” a printing business owner reported. “It’s a game-changer for our daily operations.”
- Expense Tracking: A chartered accountant shared, “Linking expenses to client invoices has made our billing process so much more accurate and efficient.”
- Digital Wallets: “The customizable digital wallets help us categorise our finances precisely,” noted a jewellery business owner. “It’s like having our traditional account books, but digital and more organised.”
- Collaborative Features: “Sharing common transactions with our business partners has improved transparency and trust,” a partnership firm owner explained.
- Mobile Accessibility: “The PWA works great on my phone,” a partnership firm vendor mentioned. “I didn’t need to invest in an expensive computer to modernise my bookkeeping.”
Development Journey
The development of Envoy took 6 months, with ongoing updates and improvements based on user feedback. The team faced significant challenges in creating a product that caters to various business types without compromising on simplicity.
Balancing feature richness with ease of use was our biggest challenge. We had to ensure that the app could handle different business types and their specific taxation needs while keeping the interface intuitive.
Results and Impact
Envoy has made a significant impact on its users:
- Time Savings: Users report creating invoices in under 2 minutes, a process that previously took much longer.
- Affordability: With a standard yearly pricing of Rs. 10,000, Envoy provides a cost-effective solution for micro and small businesses.
- Improved Financial Overview: “I can now see a clear picture of my income and expenses at a glance,” a graphic designer shared. “It’s revolutionised how I understand my business finances.”
- Simplified Accounting: “Providing my accountant with accurate invoices and records is now a breeze,” noted a business owner. “What used to take a week now takes just a few clicks.”
Overcoming Challenges
Our development team continually refines the product based on user feedback. We had to strike a balance between catering to different business types and keeping the app simple to navigate. Each update brings us closer to the perfect solution for our diverse user base.
Envoy has successfully bridged the gap between traditional accounting methods and modern digital solutions for micro and small businesses in India. By providing an affordable, user-friendly platform for financial management, Envoy is empowering entrepreneurs to streamline their operations, improve cash flow, and focus on growing their businesses.
“Envoy isn’t just software; it’s a partner in our business growth,” concluded Deep M. “It’s given us the tools to manage our finances efficiently without breaking the bank or complicating our processes.”
