In the fast-paced London recruitment sector, speed is the ultimate competitive advantage. Integra Recruitment, a high-growth agency specializing in tech and finance roles across Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, and the City, was a victim of their own success. Their internal processes were a patchwork of manual spreadsheets, PDF resumes, and endless email chains. This "digital friction" meant that high-quality candidates were often placed by competitors before Integra’s consultants could finish their manual vetting process.
They approached Custom Coded Websites to move away from fragmented tools and build a bespoke workflow automation platform. They didn't need a public-facing website; they needed a high-performance internal web application that could act as a digital engine for their business. Here is how we used Python and Django to automate their path to placement.
The Challenge: The Manual Bottleneck
Integra’s team was spending 70% of their day on administrative tasks rather than high-value headhunting. The primary obstacles included:
- Resume Data Entry: Consultants were manually copying data from CVs into a legacy database, a process prone to errors and delays.
- Fragmented Communication: Client feedback on candidates was scattered across various email threads, making it difficult to track the "state" of a placement.
- Reporting Lag: Generating monthly performance reports for the leadership team in Westminster required two full days of manual data aggregation.
The CCW Solution: A Bespoke Django Automation Hub
Our co-founders, Charlie Shortman and Louie Long, designed a custom internal application using the Django framework. By building a tailored solution, we ensured that every feature was designed specifically for the "Integra Way" of working, without the bloat of generic HR software.
1. Automated Candidate Parsing and Ranking
Charlie Shortman engineered an automated "Parsing Engine." Using Python libraries, we built a system where consultants simply drag and drop a PDF resume into the app. The Django backend instantly extracts key skills, contact info, and work history, creating a searchable candidate profile in seconds. We even implemented a custom ranking algorithm that matches candidates to open roles based on specific "Shoreditch Tech" keywords, allowing the team to identify the best talent instantly.
2. Centralized Pipeline Management
Louie Long designed a "Kanban-Style" workflow interface. This allowed consultants to move candidates through stages—from "Initial Screen" to "Technical Interview" and finally "Placement"—with a simple drag-and-drop. Every action triggers an automated internal notification, ensuring the next person in the chain is ready to act. This eliminated the need for "update emails" entirely, as the real-time Django dashboard became the single source of truth for the entire London office.
3. Automated Reporting & Analytics
We leveraged Django’s powerful database querying capabilities to build an "Instant Report" generator. With one click, the management team can now see real-time data on placement velocity, consultant billing, and sector-specific growth. What used to take 48 hours now takes 48 milliseconds.
The Results: 65% Faster Processing & Zero Data Entry
The impact of the custom workflow automation was felt across every department at Integra Recruitment within the first three months:
- Time Savings: Candidate processing time (from CV receipt to client submission) was reduced by 65%.
- Operational Accuracy: Manual data entry errors were reduced to virtually zero, ensuring higher-quality data for client presentations.
- Placement Volume: With admin out of the way, consultants were able to increase their placement volume by 25% in a single quarter.
- Team Morale: Staff reported significantly higher job satisfaction as they were finally able to focus on "the human element" of recruitment rather than paperwork.
Why Workflow Automation is the Future of London Agencies
Integra Recruitment’s success proves that "working harder" is no longer enough in the capital’s crowded markets. You have to work smarter. A custom Django web application from Custom Coded Websites offers a level of bespoke automation that generic SaaS tools simply cannot provide.
Based in London, we specialize in identifying operational bottlenecks and solving them with elegant, scalable code. We don't just build apps; we build the systems that give your business the freedom to scale.