Most "small business software" is built on shaky foundations - template systems with bolted-on security and basic database design. We build applications properly from the ground up using modern PHP, secure MySQL architecture, and enterprise-grade security practices.

The Technical Foundation: How We Build Software That Lasts

When we built the "Staff, Client, Power Of Attorney, record management system", we didn't start with features - we started with architecture:

Enterprise Technology Stack

  • PHP 8.0+ with strict type declarations and modern security features
  • MySQL 8.0+ with proper foreign key constraints and transaction support
  • JavaScript ES6+ for responsive, interactive interfaces
  • HTML5/CSS3 with Bootstrap 5 for WCAG 2.2 AA compliant frontends
  • AES-256-CBC encryption for sensitive data with OpenSSL
  • PHPMailer with SMTP TLS for secure email delivery

This isn't just tech buzzwords - each choice serves a purpose. PHP 8.0 gives us union types and better error handling. MySQL 8.0 provides window functions for complex reporting. AES-256-CBC is the same encryption banks use for financial data.

Security That Actually Protects Your Business

Most web applications have basic security. We implement defense in depth:

  • Database-level encryption with keys stored outside web root in /etc/your-app/
  • Input validation and sanitization to prevent SQL injection and XSS attacks
  • CSRF tokens on all forms to prevent cross-site request forgery
  • Secure session management with proper timeout controls
  • Role-based access control ensuring users only see what they should

Real Security Implementation

"Our staff banking details are encrypted using AES-256 before they even hit the database. The encryption keys live in /etc/our-app/ completely outside the web directory. Even if someone breached our server, they couldn't decrypt sensitive financial information. That's proper security engineering." — IT Manager

Flexible Hosting: Your Infrastructure, Your Rules

We don't force you into a specific hosting environment. Choose what works for your security requirements:

Self-Hosted Solutions: Perfect for small businesses handling sensitive data. We deploy to your XAMPP, WAMP, or LAMP stack. Your data stays on your servers, behind your firewall, with your backup procedures. Alternatively the software can be hosted on your own website in secure directories with AES-256-CBC encryption for sensitive data. Accessible no matter where you choose to work from, with the correct credentials of course.

Managed Cloud Hosting: Alternatively, we can handle everything - Hosting, security updates, SSL certificates, daily backups, performance monitoring. Perfect if you want enterprise reliability without the IT overhead.

Hybrid Approach: Keep your sensitive database on-premises while running the application in the cloud. Get the security of local data storage with the scalability of cloud hosting.

SQL Database Power: When Every Search Becomes Business Intelligence

The real magic happens in the database design. Proper MySQL architecture means:

  • Comprehensive search capabilities across clients, staff, invoices, and notes
  • Real-time financial totals for income, expenses, automatic calculations
  • Relationship-aware queries like "show me all clients under this Power of Attorney"
  • Date-range filtering for any period - last week, quarter, or custom range

Database Design Matters

"Most off-the-shelf systems use basic database designs that can't handle complex relationships. Our custom MySQL design understands that one client can have multiple Powers of Attorney, one invoice can include multiple staff members, and financial records need to be searchable by date, staff, client, or service type. That's the difference proper database architecture makes."

Accessibility Built In, Not Bolted On

Every application meets WCAG 2.2 AA standards from day one:

  • Semantic HTML5 with proper heading structure and landmark regions
  • ARIA labels for complex interface elements
  • Keyboard navigation that actually works without mouse dependency
  • Screen reader compatibility with proper text alternatives
  • Color contrast ratios meeting 4.5:1 minimum requirements
  • Responsive design that works on desktop, tablet, and mobile

This isn't just about compliance - it's about building software that all your staff can use effectively, regardless of ability or device.

The Development Process: Engineering, Not Just Coding

We don't just write code - we engineer solutions:

Phase 1 (2 weeks): Deep technical discovery. We map your business processes, identify security requirements, and design the database schema. This includes table relationships, indexing strategy, and encryption requirements.

Phase 2 (6 weeks): Iterative development with modern PHP practices. Weekly demonstrations ensure we're building what you need. We implement features in logical order with proper testing at each stage.

Phase 3 (2 weeks): Security and accessibility auditing. We test for vulnerabilities, performance issues, and WCAG compliance. This includes penetration testing, SQL injection testing, and screen reader compatibility checks.

Phase 4 (1 week): Deployment to your chosen environment with comprehensive documentation and staff training.

Is Your Business Ready for Proper Software Engineering?

If you're experiencing any of these, it's time to talk about a proper solution:

  • Spreadsheet chaos and manual data entry consuming staff time
  • Security concerns about sensitive client or financial data
  • Inability to generate the business reports you need
  • Multiple systems that don't talk to each other
  • Accessibility requirements for staff with disabilities

The Technical Advantage

"We looked at off-the-shelf solutions, but none could handle our complex relationship mapping or provide the security we needed for financial data. The custom PHP/MySQL solution not only solved our immediate problems but gave us business intelligence capabilities we didn't even know were possible. The ability to search across all our data with complex filters has transformed how we make business decisions." — Director

Let's Build Something Proper

If you're tired of software that doesn't fit, security that doesn't reassure, and reports that don't inform, let's build a proper solution. We combine modern PHP/MySQL development with enterprise security practices and proper accessibility standards.

From AES-256 encryption, from complex search capabilities to WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility - we build software that works properly because it's built properly.

Ready for Software That Works Properly?

Let's discuss your technical requirements and build a solution with proper engineering from the ground up.