Buxton Books
A Windows catalogue and inventory application for bookstore staff.
An installable desktop workspace built around a real bookshop catalogue: find books, inspect stock and supplier information, update records and work with an existing database rather than replacing the entire stock system.
A bookstore desktop workflow
A Windows desktop tool built around existing book catalogue and inventory information.
Staff sign-in
An installed desktop workspace provides staff access to the catalogue tools.
The brief
Bookstore staff need to work with catalogue and stock records without moving between disconnected lookup tools and manual entry screens. The application was designed around an existing database and a staff-only workflow, with external book metadata available as a supporting lookup rather than an automatic source of record changes.
What we built
Desktop installation
An Electron-based application that packages the bookstore workspace as a Windows installer, rather than relying on a public website.
Existing database integration
Support for a bookstore's onsite Microsoft SQL Server catalogue, alongside a SQLite option for local development and other configured use.
ISBN and catalogue workflows
Staff can scan or enter a barcode or ISBN, check the existing record, review details and explicitly save edits or new items.
Book metadata lookup
Optional ISBNuk and Google Books connections can populate an editable draft when an ISBN is not found locally. External data is not automatically saved.
Bookstore-specific fields
Forms include stock quantities, suppliers, departments, categories and pricing fields relevant to catalogue administration.
Staff access and configuration
Staff sign-in, configurable desktop connection settings and OS-protected storage for provisioned external lookup credentials.
A practical staff workflow
Staff sign in to the desktop workspace.
They enter or scan a book's ISBN or barcode.
The application checks the local or configured store database first.
Where configured, external services may provide editable book metadata if no local match exists.
Staff review and save the record explicitly.
Project result
The codebase provides a Windows-installable catalogue and inventory tool with authenticated staff access, local and SQL Server database adapters, and optional external ISBN metadata services. It demonstrates how bespoke software can fit around an organisation's existing systems instead of requiring an entirely new platform.
This case study describes verified application functionality. No unverified claims about time saved, increased sales or other operational performance are made.
Need software that works with your existing database?
JoinWebForge develops bespoke desktop applications for defined business workflows. Small, well-scoped Windows projects start at £1,000 as a one-off development fee, with larger integrations and ongoing support quoted separately.