From an official spreadsheet to a live, up to date search
An accounting firm asked us to make their clients' activity codes and the conditions attached to them findable in one place, in a couple of seconds. This is how we got from the idea to a working application.
What did the client ask for?
A new activity code system (ÖVTJ) came into force in 2025. For every client, the accountant has to know what the old code became, and whether that activity requires a qualification. Until now this meant comparing several sources by hand.
- One search box: activity name or code, with or without accents.
- The old and the new code side by side, flagging when one code splits into several.
- It should be immediately clear whether a qualification is required, and what the chamber of commerce says about it.
- The data must not go stale when the authority publishes an update.
I should not have to search in three places. It should be enough to type „hairdresser” and see the code and what needs to be done.
How did we get here?
We worked in small steps, each one ending in something that could be tried out.
- 1
Pilot
A single search file built from the official data, working without installation.
- 2
Analysis
We worked out what it takes to keep the data current, and where the pitfalls are.
- 3
Application
A program of our own that checks the authority for an update at the press of a button, and switches over once approved.
- 4
Data sheet and PDF
The chamber's information per activity, saveable as a PDF in one click.
- 5
Web access
A read only version that can be shared with colleagues and partners through a link.
The result
A clean interface that speaks the accountant's language: instead of browsing codes, you type what the client actually does.
In numbers
code mappings from the official conversion table
codes with qualification information
for a result and a data sheet to appear
from the pilot to the application tested in real use
What we paid special attention to
Accuracy
We checked the data against the official source, row by row.
Control
An update only happens after approval, and a dated backup of the old data is made first.
Security
The data stays on the firm's own machine, and the shared link is read only.
Transparency
Every operation is visible in the log, and the licences of the components used are in order.
Do you have a spreadsheet that could become a tool?
Let's talk through what you have to look up or cross check every day. Often a small pilot is enough to show how much time there is to save.