Today, businesses across all sectors are constantly searching for tools that can streamline their operations, unlock new opportunities, improve user experience, but also will not be that pricey. Retool stands out as a remarkably versatile platform that can check all these points. As a bonus, handle a myriad of other business needs.
In this article, we’ve decided to go through the most popular Retool use cases and dive deeper into how different industries leverage Retool to reshape their workflows, enhance productivity, and stay ahead in their fields. Check it out!
Retool Use Cases Across Domains: How and When to Use the Tool
Retool could be used for almost any business and any purpose, thanks to its adaptability and flexibility. This tool is a definite go-to for those looking to do more with less. It's not just about making tasks easier; it's about reimagining how we tackle everyday challenges. From smoothing out kinks in document management to injecting new life into sales strategies, Retool can handle it all. But what kind of domains can benefit from it more? Let’s explore the real use cases.
Retool for Documentation
Efficient document management is a must for gathering smart insights and staying on the right side of compliance. And this is where Retool comes in – its custom-crafted apps can transform document chaos into organized, accessible simplicity.
What can you use it for?
- Contract lifecycle management systems – to automate every stage of the contract lifecycle, from creation and signing to renewal.
- Document version control – to easily track revisions and collaborate without losing previous work.
- Collaborative editing tools – to improve teamwork and productivity.
- File conversion tools – to convert documents between different formats or compress files for storage efficiency.
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Retool for Sales and CRM Integration
Today, to foster growth and secure a competitive advantage in an increasingly crowded market you have to make your CRM system as efficient as never before. With Retool, it’s possible. You can create dynamic dashboards, comprehensive profiles, and automated reporting. All of this – for your business to move faster, work smarter, and achieve more.
What can you use it for?
- Sales dashboards – to visualize your pipeline in real-time, track performance metrics, and turn data into insights.
- Customer 360 view dashboards – to consolidate all customer interactions and data for enhancing personalization and service.
- Automated sales reporting – to generate detailed reports effortlessly.
- Customer insights dashboards – to systematically collect and analyze customers’ experience, integrating insights directly into the CRM.
- Task and project management software – to manage tasks, follow-ups, and activities, ensuring they stay organized and focused on high-priority leads.
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Retool for Cloud Services
Aim to achieve operational agility and cost-efficiency? You have to implement advanced cloud resources management. With Retool’s approach, it doesn’t seem like a challenge, but a pretty manageable task. Let us explain how.
What can you use it for?
- Cloud cost reporting – to monitor expenses in real-time, identify cost-saving opportunities, and keep spending under control.
- Resource utilization tools – to track the usage and performance of cloud resources, ensuring optimal allocation.
- Security governance risk and compliance reporting – to automate the generation of reports, making it easier to adhere to industry standards and regulations.
- Workload scheduling and automation systems – to improve operational efficiency and free up IT resources for strategic tasks.
- Cloud migration statistics – to plan, monitor, and report on the progress of cloud migration projects, ensuring smooth transitions and minimizing risks.
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Retool for Internal Administration
Operational efficiency is crucial for any company. And to enhance it you need to integrate robust administrative tools. The best option is to develop a custom internal portal that will fit all your needs. How? With the help of Retool.
Retool's Admin Portals allow you to customize and automate workflows, enhance user interaction, and provide real-time analytics and reporting. It will definitely simplify the management and enrich your team's capabilities in handling complex tasks.
What can you use it for?
- User management and permission system – to ensure only authorized personnel have access to sensitive data and operations.
- Workflow automation – to automate routine administrative tasks and reduce manual effort and potential for errors.
- Real-time data visualization – to equip decision-makers with real-time insights.
- System configuration management tools – to simplify the processes, promoting consistency and reliability.
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Retool for Marketing and Lead Generation
What’s the goal of any company? Let us answer this one: to stand out and get new clients, of course. Unfortunately, without advanced marketing tools now it seems almost impossible to achieve. Want it or not – you have to adapt to the new world.
Thankfully, there is a Retool that offers a platform for rapid development of custom marketing tools. With it, you gain access to over 90 integrations with popular databases, APIs, and services, empowering you to pull in data from various sources, analyze it in real-time, and act upon it instantly.
What can you use it for?
- Lead scoring and prioritization – to dynamically score leads, focusing sales efforts on those with the highest conversion potential.
- Email campaign analysis – to refine tactics and improve engagement.
- Social media monitoring software – to track brand sentiment and engagement trends across platforms.
- Event management and ROI tracking – to coordinate event details and track post-event ROI, linking participation to sales or lead generation outcomes.
- Customer journey mapping tools – to identify opportunities that will optimize the clients’ buying experience.
- A/B test analysis – to determine the most effective strategies and implement data-driven changes.
- Market segmentation tools – to tailor marketing strategies for increased relevance and impact.
- Content performance dashboard – to gauge audience engagement and content efficacy.
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Retool for Proof of Concept (PoC) Development
The key to leading in any sector is rapidly transforming ideas into testable prototypes. And Retool is great for this. With its flexibility, you can develop Proof of Concept apps in hours – no need in big investments and a team of developers.
What can you use it for?
- Rapid prototyping – to test the ideas, gathering real-world feedback to guide your next move.
- Integration testing – to make sure your new apps play nice by testing their compatibility and functionality.
- Feature experimentation – to test drive new ideas in a safe space, measuring their impact and fine-tuning.
- User experience testing – to see what actual users think about your app.
- Market fit analysis – to check on the market demand.
- Performance benchmarking – to spot performance hiccups or scalability snags early on.
- Security assessments – to patch up vulnerabilities before your project goes live.
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Retool for Mobile Application Development
Mobile-first era is still here, it's not going anywhere (at least soon), which means to stay in the competition you have to accept it. Thankfully, there is no more need to hire a huge team of developers (if you are not a new TikTok, or Instagram, or Tinder). Low-code tools, like Retool, can give you all the functionality you need.
What can you use it for?
- Rapid application development – to quickly go from concept to application, testing and iterating on the go.
- User interface prototyping – to design and refine the user experience before full-scale development.
- Backend integration – to ensure your mobile app seamlessly integrates with existing databases and APIs.
- Real-time data synchronization – to keep app data up to date across all user devices.
- Push notifications – to engage users with timely updates and critical information.
- Performance optimization – to ensure the app runs smoothly across different devices and operating systems.
- Security implementation – to safeguard user data and ensure compliance with the latest security standards.
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Retool for Financial Reconciliation
In the fast-paced world of finance, accuracy and efficiency are (and always were) paramount. And with technology, it finally became possible for every company to keep their operations on the highest level.
Financial teams now can perform their duties faster and with greater precision. One of the best assistants for this job is Retool.l
What can you use it for?
- Automated reconciliation software – to reconcile large volumes of transactions, reduce errors and free up valuable time.
- Financial reporting dashboards – to get real-time financial insights, enhancing transparency and decision-making.
- Compliance monitoring – to ensure ongoing compliance with financial regulations, avoiding penalties.
- Transaction monitoring systems – to enhance security and fraud detection.
- Budget tracking and forecasting – to track spending against budget allocations and forecast future financial scenarios.
- Expense management software – to simplify the management of employee expenses and approvals, ensuring policy compliance and budget control.
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Other Domains Retool Could Be Used For
With a rapid development and consistent improvement, Retool could work for literally any project and business. If you’re not sure it’ll fit your idea, talk to our experts to get a free consultation.
But here – some more domains where Retool and other low-code tools are getting more attraction (use cases included).
EdTech
The education technology sector is rapidly evolving, requiring flexible tools to manage its content, data, and processes efficiently. Retool can cover it all: build custom solutions that can adapt to the changing educational landscape, enhance learning experiences, and streamline administrative tasks.
Use Cases:
- student information systems,
- course management tools,
- learning analytics dashboards,
- admission and enrollment management software,
- online examination systems,
- parental engagement software,
- financial aid and scholarship services,
- and more.
Fintech
Retool can accelerate the development of fintech apps that require high levels of security and compliance. It offers rapid deployment of features that cater to dynamic market demands.
Use Cases:
- payment gateway integration,
- fraud detection systems,
- client reporting dashboards,
- credit scoring models,
- regulatory compliance monitoring,
- insurance claim processing,
- blockchain applications,
- risk management systems,
- mobile banking solutions,
- trade analysis tools,
- and more.
E-commerce
E-commerce platforms require seamless integration of various systems – from inventory to customer relations. Retool can help to provide customizable tools to cover it. The result – enhanced e-commerce operations, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Use Cases:
- inventory management systems,
- order management systems,
- shipping and logistics software,
- customer service portals,
- sales analytics tools,
- customer loyalty programs,
- pricing optimization tools,
- ecommerce chatbots,
- and more.
Healthcare
Retool allows for the creation of secure, compliant, and user-friendly applications that can improve patient care and operational efficiency – exactly what health providers need.
Use Cases:
- patient management systems,
- resource allocation tools,
- compliance tracking,
- telemedicine platforms,
- lab information systems,
- health analytics,
- and more.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector can greatly benefit from digital tools that optimize production lines, manage supply chains, and ensure quality control. Great advantage of Retool: it’s also easy to develop.
Use Cases:
- production scheduling tools,
- quality control systems,
- equipment maintenance logs,
- energy consumption monitoring,
- operational dashboards,
- custom reporting tools,
- and more.
Real Estate
Retool can help real estate professionals maintain databases, track market trends, and manage client interactions to make the systems more efficient.
Use Cases:
- property management systems,
- tenant management software,
- market analysis reports,
- commission tracking,
- document automation,
- payment processing systems,
- virtual tour integration,
- and more.
Logistics
Logistics companies face the challenge of managing complex supply chains and delivery networks. Retool tools can optimize all these processes.
Use Cases:
- route optimization tools,
- fleet management dashboards,
- warehouse management systems,
- supply chain visibility tools,
- carrier performance,
- and more.
Government and Public Sector
These kinds of organizations need to manage vast amounts of data and provide services efficiently – and that is also possible with Retool.
Use Cases:
- public records management,
- resource allocation tools,
- licensing and permitting software,
- budgeting and financial planning,
- and more.
Insights and Lessons Learned
Years of experience working with Retool and more than 100 successfully finished projects gave us a lot of valuable insights we always get back to. What are some lessons we’ve learned (and are happy to share)?
#1. Planning matters
Before starting with the project, conduct a detailed analysis of business requirements and expected outcomes. Understanding the specific needs and challenges of your domain ensures that the tool will be used effectively.
Set clear, measurable objectives for what you aim to achieve and track the success at the end.
#2. Feedback matters
To start the project you don’t need to make it perfect. A lot of startups launch with an MVP and improve it on the way. Establish a continuous feedback loop with users to refine and improve your tool based on real-world use and challenges encountered by end-users.
#3. A lot is possible with Retool
The flexibility, adaptability and constant improvement of Retool gives you a wide range of possibilities to make your business product work. Develop apps with scalability in mind, explore all the offered functionality, use integrations with third-parties. With Retool, you can create a powerful software, even though it’s a low-code, that can’t be compared to the functionality of pro-code.
#4. Never forget about security and compliance
Prioritize security, especially when dealing with sensitive or regulatory-compliant data. Keep the tool and its integrations updated to be safe from vulnerabilities. Retool’s features can manage data access and protect privacy on the highest level.
#5. Check on performance regularly
Technology and business needs evolve, so should your application. Conduct a regular analysis, gather feedback, follow updates – these will help to maintain the relevance and effectiveness of your tools.
#6. Don’t hesitate to ask for support and expertise
While Retool is designed to be user-friendly, leveraging expertise either from within your organization or from external consultants can improve the development process. Retool specialists can help optimize your products and ensure they are built with best practices in mind.
Conclusion
The diversity of Retool use cases across different domains illustrates just how powerful and flexible this tool can be when implemented correctly. From healthcare to manufacturing, from finance to education, any company can find a way to use Retool to cover their needs.
Retool can lead to significant (positive) change in operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, competitive advantage, and much more. If you're looking for a tool to develop your next product, consider Retool for this project. And our experts can help you to implement all the ideas you keep in mind.
Retool Dashboards with HubSpot Integration
Our client needed a centralized tool to aggregate account and contact activity, improving visibility and decision-making for the sales team.
The solution
We built a Retool application integrated with HubSpot, QuickMail, and Clay.com. The app features dashboards for sorting, filtering, and detailed views of companies, contacts, and deals, along with real-time notifications and bidirectional data syncing.
The result
- MVP in 50 hours: Delivered a functional application in just 50 hours.
- Smarter decisions: Enabled data-driven insights for strategic planning.
- Streamlined operations: Reduced manual tasks with automation and real-time updates.
Lead Generation Tool to Reduce Manual Work
Our client, Afore Capital, a venture capital firm focused on pre-seed investments, aimed to automate their lead generation processes but struggled with existing out-of-the-box solutions. To tackle this challenge, they sought assistance from our team of Akveo Retool experts.
The scope of work
The client needed a tailored solution to log and track inbound deals effectively. They required an application that could facilitate the addition, viewing, and editing of company and founder information, ensuring data integrity and preventing duplicates. Additionally, Afore Capital aimed to integrate external tools like PhantomBuster and LinkedIn to streamline data collection.
The result
By developing a custom Retool application, we streamlined the lead generation process, significantly reducing manual data entry. The application enabled employees to manage inbound deals efficiently while automated workflows for email parsing, notifications, and dynamic reporting enhanced operational efficiency. This allowed Afore Capital's team to focus more on building relationships with potential founders rather than on administrative tasks.
Learn more about the case
Retool CMS Application for EdTech Startup
Our client, CutTime, a leading fine arts education management platform, needed a scalable CMS application to improve vendor product management and user experience.
The scope of work
We developed a Retool application that allows vendors to easily upload and manage product listings, handle inventory, and set shipping options. The challenge was to integrate the app with the client’s system, enabling smooth authentication and product management for program directors.
The result
Our solution streamlined product management, reducing manual work for vendors, and significantly improving operational efficiency.
Building Reconciliation Tool for e-commerce company
Our client was in need of streamlining and simplifying its monthly accounting reconciliation process – preferably automatically. But with a lack of time and low budget for a custom build, development of a comprehensive software wasn’t in the picture. After going through the case and customer’s needs, we decided to implement Retool. And that was the right choice.
The scope of work
Our team developed a custom reconciliation tool designed specifically for the needs of high-volume transaction environments. It automated the processes and provided a comprehensive dashboard for monitoring discrepancies and anomalies in real-time.
The implementation of Retool significantly reduced manual effort, as well as fostered a more efficient and time-saving reconciliation process.
Creating Retool Mobile App for a Wine Seller
A leading spirits and wine seller in Europe required the development of an internal mobile app for private client managers and administrators. The project was supposed to be done in 1,5 months. Considering urgency and the scope of work, our developers decided to use Retool for swift and effective development.
The scope of work
Our developers built a mobile application tailored to the needs of the company's sales force: with a comprehensive overview of client interactions, facilitated order processing, and enabled access to sales history and performance metrics. It was user-friendly, with real-time updates, seamlessly integrated with existing customer databases.
The result? Increase in productivity of the sales team and improved decision-making process. But most importantly, positive feedback from the customers themselves.
Developing PoC with Low Code for a Tour Operator
To efficiently gather, centralize, and manage data is a challenge for any tour operator. Our client was not an exception. The company was seeking to get an internal software that will source information from third-party APIs and automate the travel itinerary creation process. Preferably, cost- and user-friendly tool.
The scope of work
Our experts ensured the client that all the requirements could be covered by Retool. And just in 40 hours a new software was launched. The tool had a flexible and easy-to-use interface with user authentication and an access management system panel – all the company needed. At the end, Retool was considered the main tool to replace the existing system.
Testing New Generation of Lead Management Tool with Retool
Our client, a venture fund, had challenges with managing lead generation and client acquisition. As the company grew, it aimed to attract more clients and scale faster, as well as automate the processes to save time, improve efficiency and minimize human error. The idea was to craft an internal lead generation tool that will cover all the needs. We’ve agreed that Retool will be a perfect tool for this.
The scope of work
The project initially began as a proof of concept, but soon enough, with each new feature delivered, the company experienced increased engagement and value.
We developed a web tool that integrates seamlessly with Phantombuster for data extraction and LinkedIn for social outreach. Now, the company has a platform that elevates the efficiency of their lead generation activities and provides deep insights into potential client bases.
Building an Advanced Admin Portal for Streamlined Operations
Confronted with the need for more sophisticated internal tools, an owner of IP Licensing marketplace turned to Retool to utilize its administrative functions. The primary goal was to construct an advanced admin portal that could support complex, multi-layered processes efficiently.
The scope of work
Our client needed help with updating filters and tables for its internal platform. In just 30 hours we've been able to update and create about 6 pages. Following features were introduced: add complex filtering and search, delete records, styling application with custom CSS.
Together, we have increased performance on most heavy pages and fixed circular dependency issues.
Creating MVP Dashboard for Google Cloud Users
Facing the challenge of unoptimized cloud resource management, a technology firm working with Google Cloud users was looking for a solution to make its operations more efficient. The main idea of the project was to create an MVP for e-commerce shops to test some client hypotheses. Traditional cloud management tools fell short.
The scope of work
Determined to break through limitations, our team of developers turned Retool. We decided to craft an MVP Dashboard specifically for Google Cloud users. This wasn't just about bringing data into view; but about reshaping how teams interact with their cloud environment.
We designed a dashboard that turned complex cloud data into a clear, strategic asset thanks to comprehensive analytics, tailored metrics, and an intuitive interface, that Retool provides. As the results, an increase in operational efficiency, significant improvement in cost management and resource optimization.
Elevating CRM with Custom HubSpot Sales Dashboard
Our other client, a SaaS startup, that offers collaborative tools for design and engineering teams, was on a quest to supercharge their sales efforts. Traditional CRM systems were limited and not customizable enough. The company sought a solution that could tailor HubSpot to their workflow and analytics needs.
The scope of work
Charged with the task of going beyond standard CRM functions, our team turned to Retool. We wanted to redefine how sales teams interact with their CRM.
By integrating advanced analytics, custom metrics, and a user-friendly interface, our developers provided a solution that transformed data into a strategic asset.
In 40 hours, three informative dashboards were developed, containing the most sensitive data related to sales activities. These dashboards enable our customer to analyze sales and lead generation performance from a different perspective and establish the appropriate KPIs.
Building a PDF Editor with Low-Code
Our client, a leading digital credential IT startup, needed a lot of internal processes to be optimized. But the experience with low-code tools wasn’t sufficient. That’s why the company decided to hire professionals. And our team of developers joined the project.
The scope of work
The client has a program that designs and prints custom badges for customers. The badges need to be “mail-merged” with a person’s info and turned into a PDF to print. But what is the best way to do it?
Our developers decided to use Retool as a core tool. Using custom components and JavaScript, we developed a program that reduced employees' time for designing, putting the data, verifying, and printing PDF badges in one application.
As a result, the new approach significantly reduces the time required by the internal team to organize all the necessary staff for the conference, including badge creation.
