Based in Elgin, Scotland — working with businesses across the UK.

Problems You Might Have

Here are some of the challenges we tackle.

Are your systems talking to each other?

Your tools don’t share data — orders go in your payment system but don’t update accounting, customer info lives in three places. We connect them so data flows automatically between systems. No more manual updates, no more mistakes.

Are your processes still manual?

Someone still clicks buttons, uploads files, sends emails to kick off work that should happen automatically. We build systems that watch for triggers and do the work themselves — so your team focuses on things that actually need a human.

Are your deployments manual and risky?

Rolling out updates means hoping someone remembers the steps. One mistake breaks everything. We automate the process so changes go live safely and predictably, and you can fix problems fast if something goes wrong.

Need expert help without hiring full-time?

You need help — designing a feature, building an integration, fixing a problem — but hiring full-time doesn’t make sense. We work project by project, focused on delivery, then move on.

Most developers build pages.

We build systems.

Technical Work & Insights

Every Build Includes

Not add-ons. Not extras charged on top. The security baseline we apply to everything we deliver.

Secure configuration from day one

Credentials locked away, no defaults left open, no sensitive data exposed in code or config.

Email that reaches inboxes

Proper email authentication set up so your messages aren’t marked as spam and can’t be spoofed by someone else.

Browser security headers

Standard protections applied so browsers don’t flag your site and common attacks are blocked before they reach your code.

No unnecessary dependencies

No plugin bloat, no third-party scripts you didn’t ask for. Less surface area means fewer things that can go wrong.

Monitoring and alerting

You find out when something goes wrong — before your customers do. Not optional.

Verifiable security posture

One clear place to check at any time that things are still in order.

Run a free Hardenize scan

Why Smaoin?

Why Smaoin

Smaoin is the Scottish Gaelic word for “thought” or “idea.” It reflects how we work: careful thinking first, then clean, practical engineering that solves the actual problem — not just the one that was described.

With 20+ years building .NET and Azure systems, we focus on the messy reality: integrations that actually work, automation that doesn’t break, infrastructure that scales. The backend stuff most people ignore until it costs them. Based in Elgin, working with businesses across the UK.

More About Us

What a typical project looks like

Most engagements combine a website with at least one integration or automation.

Website + CRM

A new site where contact forms, enquiries, and leads flow directly into your existing CRM — no manual copying, no lost follow-ups.

Website + Booking System

A business website with an integrated booking or appointment tool, connected to your calendar or back-office software. No more inbox scheduling.

Automation Replacing Spreadsheets

Identify the manual process eating your team’s time — we build the system that eliminates it. Reports, approvals, data transfers: automated and reliable.

Internal Portal or Admin Tool

A secure, role-based web app for your team — reports, approvals, data entry — built to spec, without the SaaS subscription cost or the compromises.

What We Build

Custom web applications with real integrations, security, and infrastructure that scales.

Web Applications & Integrations

Custom websites built to work with your business tools. Connect Stripe for payments, Sage or Xero for accounting, automatically generate invoices and quotes. No templates, no limitations — built exactly how you need it to work.

View Options

Security & Hardening

Your site and email are under constant attack. We lock everything down so visitors feel safe, your emails reach inboxes instead of spam, and attackers find easier targets elsewhere. You get the peace of mind.

Protect Site

Contract Services

Need senior technical help without hiring full-time. We work on contract, focused on delivery. Whether you need to design something new, build a feature, or fix what's broken — we come in, do the work, and step back out.

Work with Us

IoT & Connected Systems

Stop managing systems manually. Connect your equipment, sensors, and devices to send real-time data and alerts. See what's happening across your business in one dashboard, get instant alerts when something needs attention.

Connect Devices

Infrastructure as Code

Updates should be safe and predictable. We automate your deployment process so you can roll out changes without stress. Monitor performance in real time, get alerts when something breaks, fix it quickly.

Explore DevOps

Computer Vision & AI

Face detection, identity matching, and presence awareness — built on open-source ML running entirely on local hardware. Access control, occupancy tracking, and attendance logging without badges or check-ins.

Explore Vision

Let’s Build Something Together

Got an idea, project, or problem to solve? Drop us a message — we’ll get back to you within a business day. No hard sell, just a practical next step.