A complex business requiring precise financial management
Style et Maîtrise is a firm specializing in interior design and project management, led by Sandrine Chaux. Like many businesses in the sector, Style et Maîtrise has to manage several simultaneous projects with varying revenue recognition schedules. The complexity is heightened by a mixed clientele of professionals and individuals, each with distinct payment terms.
In this context, cash flow management becomes a strategic priority: it's essential to anticipate the inflows and outflows of each project, account for varying payment terms, and maintain an overall view to make the right decisions at the right time.
Excel: a tool that became too cumbersome and a source of anxiety
Before Okimia, Sandrine managed her cash flow using Excel. But this manual method quickly showed its limitations. Manually entering all expenses was tedious, and the monthly update of the spreadsheet was a laborious and time-consuming task.
"When I used Excel, it was very hard to enter all the expenses; it was tedious. I didn't fully trust all the functions."
Beyond the time wasted, it was primarily the lack of reliability and confidence that caused issues. It was impossible to know for sure what the actual cash flow situation was. This lack of visibility created a significant mental burden and a constant sense of worry: Have I really accounted for everything? Am I going to have an unpleasant surprise?
For a business with projects that span over time and variable payment terms, this uncertainty was hardly sustainable.
Okimia: a simple solution that brings clarity and peace of mind
Sandrine decided to switch to Okimia to resolve this impasse. Implementation was quick and seamless: she was able to enter all her expense lines, configure all her projects, and set up her revenue schedules in just a few hours.
What changed everything for Sandrine was Okimia's ability to automatically account for payment terms for each invoice. With both business and individual clients having different payment terms, this feature is essential. The forecast finally aligns with reality, without repetitive manual effort. Payment deadlines for each invoice are integrated, allowing for a forecast that is as close to reality as possible.
But beyond precision, it's the clarity of the interface that makes all the difference day-to-day. As soon as she opens the software, Sandrine knows exactly where she stands: a graph immediately summarizes inflows and outflows, along with a summary of available cash.
"It's truly this comprehensive view we have. With a graph right when you open the software that immediately shows you where you stand. That's Okimia's strength: its visibility, its clarity when you open the software."
This simplicity has a direct impact on Sandrine's mental load . Gone is the stress linked to uncertainty: she knows where she stands at all times. The ability to check each month that forecasted expenses match actual expenses even gives her "a little personal pleasure" and strengthens her confidence in the tool.
A gain in time, reliability, and peace of mind
Today, Sandrine doesn't regret her choice. Okimia has allowed her to save considerable time on administrative tasks, while improving the quality of her financial management. She no longer needs to spend hours updating an Excel spreadsheet that she was never entirely sure about.
"Now that I use Okimia, I feel reassured. The fact that there's the forecast with associated functions for each possible expense, it's much less cumbersome, much faster, and much more certain that nothing is forgotten."
Beyond operational efficiency, it's above all the newfound serenity that marks a turning point in her daily management. Sandrine can now focus on her core business — architecture and project management — knowing that her cash flow is under control, visible, and reliable.
For Style et Maîtrise, Okimia is not just a simple management software: it's a true steering tool that removes a mental burden and allows for confident decision-making.