Who Totum is for#
Operations teams replacing spreadsheets
Totum fits teams that run processes in spreadsheets but need access rules, logs, reports, and repeatable actions.
Skip if:
Your workflow is simple enough that a shared spreadsheet is still accurate and low risk.
Small businesses building internal apps
The platform can support inventory, orders, CRM, and production processes without a full custom application team.
Skip if:
You need a mainstream low-code marketplace with many third-party templates and hosted connectors.
The problem it solves#
Internal business tools often start as spreadsheets because they are flexible and familiar. Over time, those spreadsheets become fragile databases with unclear permissions, manual processes, duplicated formulas, and poor audit history.
Traditional custom apps solve structure but push every change through developers. Business teams need a middle ground: data tables, logic, access rules, and workflows that can evolve without rebuilding an application for every process change.
How it solves it#
Database as interface
Totum treats the database itself as the interface for internal apps, giving teams a small-code path between spreadsheets and custom CRUD software.
Built-in business logic
Totum includes a built-in language for business logic, letting teams encode process rules closer to the data model.
Self-hosted web app
Totum covers use cases such as production management, finance, order management, stocks, CRM, and equipment inventory.
Strengths and trade-offs#
Strengths
- Spreadsheet-like flexibility with structureTotum's database-and-UI model gives business users more structure than spreadsheets while keeping changes closer to operators than a custom-coded app.
- Internal apps from one platformTotum can cover production management, finance, order management, stocks, CRM, and equipment inventory from one self-hosted platform.
Trade-offs
- -Platform-specific languageTotum's small-code model is useful but requires learning Totum's syntax and mental model. Teams expecting standard SQL plus generic forms may face a learning curve.
Install and self-host#
sudo curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/totumonline/totum-mit/master/totum/moduls/install/totum_autoinstall.sh && sudo bash totum_autoinstall.shWhat it's built on#
- Languages
- PHP
- Databases
- PostgreSQL
FAQ#
What is Totum used for?
Totum is used to build self-hosted internal business apps around data tables, access rules, actions, reports, and process logic.
Is Totum a spreadsheet replacement?
Yes. Totum can replace spreadsheet-driven processes when teams need permissions, logs, reports, and repeatable actions.
Can Totum be self-hosted?
Yes. Totum is a self-hosted web app and includes an Ubuntu auto-install command.
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