Fenzo: Business Management Platform

Overview

Fenzo is a full-stack SaaS platform designed for freelancers and agencies to automate their entire client-to-invoice workflow. It streamlines quotation creation, project tracking, time management, and invoicing into a single, integrated system.

Problem

Freelancers and agencies struggle with managing quotes, invoices, and projects in one place. The administrative overhead of creating quotations, tracking billable hours, generating invoices, and managing client communications often takes as much time as the actual work. This leads to billing errors, missed opportunities, and reduced productivity.

Solution

Fenzo automates the entire client → project → invoice pipeline with:

1. Dynamic Quotation Workflows: Real-time calculations with customizable templates
2. Project Tracking: Milestone management and progress monitoring
3. Automated Invoicing: PDF generation with professional formatting
4. Client Portals: Secure, role-based access for clients to view projects and invoices
5. Time Tracking: Separate billable and non-billable hours tracking

Architecture

Fenzo is built with a modern full-stack architecture:

• Frontend: Next.js with React for server-side rendering and optimal performance
• Backend: Node.js with Express for API endpoints and business logic
• Database: MongoDB for flexible document storage
• Authentication: JWT-based secure authentication
• Deployment: Vercel for frontend, Railway for backend infrastructure

Technical Breakdown

Key Technologies

• Next.js for server-rendered React applications
• Node.js + Express for RESTful API development
• MongoDB for document-based data storage
• JWT for secure authentication and authorization
• Vercel and Railway for seamless deployment

Challenges Solved

1. Real-time Calculations: Implemented dynamic quotation builders that update totals instantly
2. PDF Generation: Created professional invoice templates with accurate calculations
3. Role-based Access: Built secure client portals with granular permissions
4. Time Tracking: Developed intuitive interfaces for logging billable vs. non-billable hours

Results

• 60%+ reduction in administrative workload
• Eliminated billing errors through automated calculations
• Improved client satisfaction with transparent project tracking
• Streamlined workflow from quote to payment

What I Learned

Fenzo taught me the importance of understanding user workflows before building features. The automation features only became valuable after thoroughly understanding the freelancer's pain points. Building secure, multi-tenant systems also required careful attention to data isolation and access control.

Next Steps

Potential improvements include:

• Integration with payment processors (Stripe, PayPal)
• Mobile app for on-the-go time tracking
• Advanced reporting and analytics
• Integration with accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero)