It all started, as it often happens, from a simple coffee break with a friend.
She manages a campsite and was telling me how frustrating her current management software was: slow, graphically “stuck in the 90s”, and unusable. A nightmare for those who have to manage hospitality and guarantee impeccable service.
Listening to her, I told myself: “Why not try to build something better?”.
Thus CampFlow was born. What started as a personal favor to solve a specific problem turned into an exciting technical challenge and, finally, into an open source project that I hope can help other managers finding themselves in the same situation.
Why is CampFlow different?
The goal wasn’t just to “make another management system”, but to create one that was a pleasure to use. I wanted to eliminate unnecessary complexity and focus on what is really needed by those working in the field (literally!).
Here are the main features that make CampFlow special:
Total Reliability (Zero Overbooking): The biggest fear of every manager? Finding two families booked for the same pitch. CampFlow was designed with a “bulletproof” system that physically prevents overlaps. If it’s booked, it’s booked.
The “Cockpit” (Dashboard): We created an intuitive dashboard that immediately gives the pulse of the situation: today’s arrivals, departures, and occupancy rate. Everything updated in real-time, so you always know what is happening in the campsite at a glance.
Speed and Mobility: Managers don’t sit in the office all day. CampFlow is lightning fast and works perfectly on tablets and smartphones. You can check a check-in while you are among the pitches or update a reservation while driving around in the golf cart.
Flexible Seasonal Management: High season, low season, special rates for groups and even bundle offers… configuring prices shouldn’t require a degree in economics. The system allows you to define clear and visual pricing rules for the entire year.
Instant Search: Finding a customer or a reservation must be immediate. With global search, just type a name/surname/phone number/license plate/email to find everything in milliseconds.
From necessity to sharing
Building CampFlow allowed me to see how much technology can simplify people’s real lives. Seeing my friend save hours of work and manage her facility with less stress was the greatest satisfaction.
Now I have decided to make this tool available to everyone, sharing the code and the experience gained. I hope CampFlow can be useful to other developers who want to learn or to managers looking for a modern and transparent solution.
If you are curious to see how it works or want to try it, take a look at the official website linked above!