cloud65

Hello, I'm Robert.

I make business software less of a headache.

I'm a fractional CTO who rolls his sleeves up. I join up systems like Epicor, SAP, HubSpot and Simpro, automate the boring bits, and build the reports you've been asking for.

Book a chat See what I've built

The systems I work with

All proven on live client projects.

Business systems

Epicor KineticSAPHubSpotSimpro

Microsoft platform

Power AutomatePower BIAzureMicrosoft FabricMicrosoft 365Copilot

Data, credit and AI

ClaudeGleniganCreditsafeTEXAtradius

If it has an API, I can usually connect it. If not, CSV files and exports work too.

27

27 years running my own IT firm, before selling it to Utilize Plc

Former Microsoft Strategic Alliance Director, Azure and Power Platform qualified

Selective by design. I partner with a small number of established firms, so each one gets my full attention

What I can help with

Practical work, built on the Microsoft tools you probably already pay for.

Join things up

Your ERP, CRM, field service and accounts systems sharing data through their APIs, so nobody types it twice.

Automate the boring bits

Power Automate flows that file, chase, approve and update, while your team gets on with the real work.

Unlock what your data is saying

Data storytelling in Power BI: pulling scattered sources together into reports that show what's really happening and what to do about it.

Use AI sensibly

AI that saves real time, from Microsoft Copilot to Claude: reading orders and invoices, sorting inboxes, and answering questions about your data.

Things I've built

A few recent projects. Clients are kept anonymous here, but I'm happy to put you in touch with references.

Rooflight manufacturer

Two years as their hands-on CTO

I sat on the exec team, set the technology direction and did much of the building myself, from CRM-to-ERP integration and supplier invoice approvals to the daily reports the directors read. I still support them today.

Rooflight manufacturer

Drawings that draw themselves

AutoCAD drawings are generated straight from quote data in the ERP system, then move through customer sign-off and on to production drawings without anyone redrawing a thing.

Balcony and terrace systems manufacturer

Credit checks that run themselves

A daily invoice feed from Epicor to their new credit insurer, plus a Creditsafe link that refreshes customer credit limits twice a day, so the credit team always works from current figures.

Construction fixings manufacturer

Customer orders, keyed in by AI

Emailed purchase orders are read automatically and turned into Epicor sales orders. AI fills gaps in delivery addresses and matches free-text product descriptions to the right part numbers.

Smoke ventilation manufacturer

A sales inbox that sorts itself

Incoming email is read by AI and filed into To Quote, To Action and Suppliers, and new enquiries get an instant acknowledgement. Built, then handed over to run under their own account.

Smoke ventilation manufacturer

Marketing, finally in one picture

Website analytics, LinkedIn, CRM and ERP data were all living in separate places. I brought them together into a single Power BI report, so the team can follow a lead from first click to final order and see which marketing actually pays off.

Healthcare equipment specialist

Field service and ERP in step

A two-way sync between Simpro and SAP keeps stock, van locations and financial data matched every night, so engineers and the office are always looking at the same numbers.

Healthcare equipment specialist

AI-scored sales leads, straight into HubSpot

New construction projects from Glenigan's daily exports are scored by AI for how well they fit the business, then created in HubSpot as companies, contacts and leads, with the score attached. Missing contacts become follow-up tasks, and daily updates refresh start dates and add new contacts automatically.

Commercial washroom manufacturer

Pipeline history that isn't lost

HubSpot overwrites deal data, so trends were invisible. A weekly snapshot now lands in Azure SQL in their own tenant, building up a history to report on for a few pounds a month.

Packaging wholesaler

A data plan, and the reports back fast

When key Excel reports broke, I got them reinstated quickly, then set out a data lake and Power BI strategy for their overseas development team to build on.

How I work

Simple, honest and yours to keep.

Four things you can count on, whatever the size of the job.

You deal with me

No account managers or juniors. The person who scopes the work is the one who builds it.

Clear proposals

Work is scoped up front and priced in days, so you know the cost before anything starts.

You own it

Everything is built in your own Microsoft tenant, documented and handed over. No lock-in.

Straight answers

If a process needs fixing before it's automated, I'll say so, and help put it right.

About me

Forty years in business IT, still hands-on.

I ran my own IT business for 27 years before selling it to Utilize Plc, where I stayed on in director roles, including Microsoft Strategic Alliance Director.

Since then I've worked independently through Cloud65, including two years as CTO of a manufacturing business. These days I help a small number of established firms get real value from Power Platform, Azure and, increasingly, AI.

I keep my client list short on purpose, so each project gets proper attention.

Fancy a chat? The kettle's on.

Tell me what's slowing your team down. If I can help, I'll say how. If I can't, I'll do my best to point you to someone who can from the contacts I've built up across the industry.

I'll only use your details to reply to you. See the privacy notice.