641. Lauri Euren, Operating.app: An AI-powered platform to run a consulting firm from resource planning to month-end close

Show Notes:

Lauri Euren, founder of Operating.app, explains that Operating is a tool for consulting firms or professional services that are growing and need help with staffing, internal resourcing, and month-end closes. The tool handles the workflow from time sheets to invoicing, supporting delivery across multiple projects. 

Operating.app Explained

Lauri emphasizes that Operating is not a CRM system and can integrate with existing CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive. Lauri explains that Operating is not for actual sales execution but for back-end processes like staffing, time sheets, and invoicing. The tool also monitors project health, margins, and financials, providing tracking and insights into project burn rates and utilization.

Operating.app Demonstration

Lauri demonstrates the main dashboard, which includes tabs for staffing, personal schedules, projects, and reports.

Lauri describes the main entities in Operating: projects, people, and positions, and how they intersect to manage staffing and project assignments. Lauri explains the different sections and their functions.

 

The dashboard includes pinned views for saved and shared views, time sheets for tracking hours, and various reporting options.

Lauri highlights the importance of tailoring the use of Operating to different roles within the organization, such as consultants, COOs, and staffing managers.

The invoicing feature generates invoices based on the invoicing schedule and billing type of the project. When saved, the invoice saves automatically to the accounting software used. 

Lauri explains that projects often come from CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce and are enriched with metadata using AI tools like Copilot or GPT using the Operating MCP server and AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot. Operating can handle different pricing structures, including per hour and fixed price models, and can model various types of work within the fixed price model.

 

Planned vs Forecast Revenue

Revenue Recognition

The tool also includes revenue recognition features, allowing finance teams to track and recognize revenue accurately. Lauri mentions that Operating integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks or NetSuite for billing and financial management.

Clients Operating Serves

Lauri discusses the ideal client size for Operating, typically starting from 10 people and scaling up to large firms with hundreds of consultants. The tool replaces spreadsheets and other point solutions for time tracking and resource planning. Lauri explains how Operating handles external consultants, tagging them differently in the system and managing their permissions and utilization. The tool allows for robust customization of permissions, ensuring that each user sees and edits only what they are allowed to.

Managing a Project in Operating

Lauri explains the end-to-end process of managing a project in Operating, from staffing to invoicing. 

The process includes adding a project, allocating team members, setting budgets, and tracking time sheets. Operating provides real-time profitability calculations and margin effects for projects. The tool allows for the creation of invoices based on time entries and integrates with accounting tools for final billing.

AI Integration with Operation

Lauri highlights the AI integration with tools like Claude, allowing users to query and manage projects using natural language. The MCP server in Operating acts as an AI agent, consuming data and executing queries based on user permissions. Customers can build automated tasks and health checkers using Cloud Code and AI, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. The tool's flexibility and customization options make it suitable for various roles and project management needs.

Pricing Model

Lauri explains the current pricing model for Operating, which is $22 per person per month for the full module and $11-$13 for individual modules. The tool is designed to be more affordable than enterprise competitors, making it  a scalable solution for growing consulting firms. Lauri provides information on how interested parties can start a free trial or book a demo on the Operating website.

Timestamps:

0:02: Introduction and Overview of Operating App 

02:44: Features and Functionality of Operating 

06:39: Detailed Walkthrough of Operating Dashboard 

08:15: Integration with CRMs and AI Tools 

13:39: Client Segment and Implementation 

18:26: End-to-End Project Management in Operating 

26:03: AI Integration and Customization 

27:57: Pricing and Availability 

Links:

Operating Website: https://www.operating.app/

MCP Server (Use directly in Claude, ChatGPT...): https://www.operating.app/blog-posts/ai-consulting-mcp-server

Lauri’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eurenl/

This episode on Umbrex: 

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*AI generated timestamps and show notes.