The Company
Custom Permits handles permitting services for clients navigating complex regulatory requirements. It's a business built on accuracy, speed, and reliability — the kind of work where details matter, timelines are tight, and client trust is everything.
The business had grown to the point where manual data management and communication couldn't keep up. Reports took too long to pull, analytics visibility was near zero, and the fear of missing a critical client email was a constant background stress.
The Challenge
Data was locked in the database
Getting any report out of the system required someone with database access to write or run a SQL query. That meant waiting on the developer, or not getting the data at all. Business decisions were being made on gut feel because the data was too hard to access quickly.
No analytics visibility into the business
Without a connected analytics system, there was no clear picture of what was happening in the business day-to-day. Which permit types were processing fastest? Where were the bottlenecks? What was the team's actual workload? These questions went unanswered.
High-stakes emails risked being missed
In permitting work, a missed email from a client or agency can mean a delayed application, an unhappy client, or a failed deadline. With a growing inbox and a small team, the risk of something slipping through was real and growing.
No daily operational overview
The team started each day without a clear picture of where things stood. Which permits needed attention? What was in progress? What was stuck? Getting that overview required pulling together information from multiple places — time that could be better spent on actual work.
What We Deployed
Four agents now power Custom Permits' data access, analytics, communication, and daily operations — running automatically, 24 hours a day.
Custom SQL Query Agent
An agent that can answer data questions on demand — in plain language. Ask "how many permits did we process last month?" and get the answer immediately, no SQL knowledge required. Complex reporting that used to require a developer can now be requested by anyone on the team, any time.
PostHog Analytics Integration
We integrated PostHog into Custom Permits' workflow and connected it to an agent that surfaces key metrics automatically. The business now has real-time visibility into activity, processing times, team workload, and operational health — without anyone having to go looking for it.
Email Monitoring & Draft Responses
The inbox is watched continuously. When important emails arrive — from clients, agencies, or regulators — the agent flags them, categorizes them, and drafts an appropriate response for the team to review. Nothing time-sensitive gets buried, and response time drops dramatically.
Daily Business Digest
Every morning, the team receives a structured summary of the business: permits in progress, recent activity, analytics highlights, and anything that needs attention that day. The day starts with complete situational awareness — delivered automatically.
The Results
Instant
Any business report, on demand — no developer required
Zero
Critical communications missed since deployment
Daily
Real-time analytics and operational visibility
Custom Permits went from flying operationally blind to having complete visibility into their business — without adding a single person to their team. Data that used to require a developer is now accessible to anyone in minutes. The inbox is monitored around the clock. And every morning, the team knows exactly where things stand.