Louis Thissen

One-off remote support, with no subscription

The Challenge: Occasional help, without a subscription or unnecessary travel
A client needed support as and when required: small, occasional interventions, without signing up for a subscription and without paying travel fees for every minor request. Their previous provider did not match that way of working — too rigid, too committing, and too costly for one-off needs.

The Solution: Services already built for this kind of use
Nothing was modified or tailored for this request: the existing offering already answered the need by design. Two elements of the standard service were enough:

Remote control support: Day-to-day requests are handled remotely, without travel. The client stays in control: the connection is only established when they allow it, and only for the duration of the intervention.

Time-based billing, no subscription: No monthly plan, no commitment. Only the time actually spent on the request is billed — exactly what the client was looking for, and what the service model already provided.

The Results: The right setup from the start
Switching provider made it possible to:

• Find a fitting arrangement: Unlike the previous provider, the intervention and billing model already matched the client's occasional needs.
• Avoid unnecessary travel: Minor requests are solved remotely, without travel fees.
• Pay only for work done: No subscription, no lock-in — only the time spent intervening.

A case that illustrates less a “custom solution” than an offering already designed for this kind of use: occasional remote assistance, billed by time spent.
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Custom residential automation for a primary residence

The Context: Applying professional-grade thinking to a personal home
This real case concerns my primary residence. The goal was not to add disconnected smart gadgets, but to design a home able to respond reliably to its environment with as little daily manual input as possible. The project therefore became a practical implementation of structured residential automation, combining comfort, energy control, security and remote management.

The Challenge: Automating the home without making it harder to live in
The objective was clear: the house had to adapt to daily routines and real-world conditions without requiring constant interaction. That meant coordinating several critical functions - shutters, lighting, heating, air conditioning and access control - while taking actual occupancy into account at house level, room level and even bed occupancy level through a custom-designed setup.

The Solution: Context-aware home automation driven by real-time measurements
A custom automation architecture was deployed around sensors, scenarios and decision rules powered by live data.

Automated shutter management: Shutters open and close automatically based on time-related events and predefined conditions. In the morning, the home gradually opens up, except for the bedroom shutters, which remain closed while presence is still detected in the bed. In the evening, shutter closing becomes part of the end-of-day routine.

Adaptive lighting: Lights switch on and off automatically according to context, using presence and measured brightness. The automation remains discreet so that comfort improves without feeling intrusive.

Intelligent thermal regulation: Heating and air conditioning are adjusted automatically based on presence in the home, occupancy in specific rooms and real-time temperature readings. Comfort is therefore produced where and when it is actually needed.

Advanced presence detection: The system goes beyond simple motion detection. A dedicated custom design distinguishes occupancy in different living areas as well as presence in bed, making automatic behaviours more precise and reducing inappropriate triggers.

Remote access and tightly controlled temporary entry: The home can be unlocked remotely when needed, even when nobody is on site. For deliveries, temporary and limited access codes can be granted in a controlled way to identified third parties, allowing parcels to be placed safely inside when the occupant is away. This reduces unnecessary travel while keeping access permissions supervised and time-bound.

The Results: Everyday comfort, energy efficiency and reliable remote control

• Useful day-to-day automation: the home handles repetitive actions automatically, significantly reducing the need for manual intervention.
• Optimised energy consumption: heating and cooling adapt to real occupancy in the home and in individual rooms, limiting unnecessary energy use.
• Smoother comfort experience: in the evening, lighting and shutter closing naturally support the transition to night; in the morning, opening routines still respect an occupied bedroom.
• Better remote continuity: certain actions can be handled without travelling on site, including one-off remote door opening when justified.
• Controlled delivery convenience: temporary, limited-access entry can in defined situations enable secure indoor parcel drop-off, avoiding unnecessary trips to the post office.

This personal project demonstrates a real deployment, in a primary residence, of home automation focused on practical use, reliability and measurable benefits.

Custom ticketing for parallel conferences

The Challenge: Overcoming the limits of standard ticketing platforms
The organiser of a one-day professional event faced a major technical constraint: managing several parallel conference sessions. Unlike a classic concert (one ticket = one event), this day included three simultaneous conferences followed by a late plenary session. Existing ticketing solutions enforced a rigid "one ticket, one event" logic, making it impossible to register for a personalised path combining multiple sessions. It was crucial to let participants build their own agenda while still respecting room capacity limits.

The Solution: A flexible, intelligent registration platform
We built a dedicated ticketing interface specifically designed around a "speaker path" logic:

Multi-Session Registration: During the purchase flow, participants don’t just buy an entry ticket – they build their schedule. They select sessions across parallel time slots, with the system checking schedule compatibility and seat availability in real time.

Dynamic Capacity Management: Each session has its own seat counter. Once a session is full, it is automatically shown as "fully booked" for new registrations, without blocking access to other sessions or the main event.

Centralised Organiser Dashboard: The organiser has a real-time overview:

• Registration Tracking: Who is registered for which specific session.
• Fill-Level Gauges: Exact number of remaining seats per room to anticipate logistics.
• Granular Access Control on Event Day: A dedicated scanning app allows staff to check not only ticket validity but also registration for each individual session. The system confirms whether a participant is expected in a given room and logs their actual presence.

The Results: Smooth logistics and an optimal attendee experience

• Full freedom of choice for participants, who can personalise their day without technical constraints, boosting satisfaction and engagement.
• Secure capacity management, avoiding overbooking of small rooms while optimising occupancy.
• Reliable attendance data thanks to session-level scanning, providing trustworthy statistics on each talk’s performance.
• Ability to bypass market rigidities, proving that a solution tailored to the specific business need is far more effective than an ill-fitting generic tool.

This intervention was carried out for the first time in 2025 and is in use since.

Collaborative wedding photo gallery with live projection

The Challenge: Capturing every moment without an official photographer
While organising my own wedding, I faced a classic but crucial challenge: how to retrieve the hundreds of photos taken by guests when there is no professional photographer? Traditional methods (WhatsApp groups, post-event email exchanges) quickly become chaotic: compressed image quality, scattered files, and loss of context (date, location). The goal was to create a smooth experience for guests while guaranteeing a complete, high-quality archive for the couple.

The Solution: An immersive sharing and projection platform
We built an event-focused web application designed for the here-and-now and for long-term memory preservation :

Simplified Collection via a Single Link: Guests access the dedicated gallery via a simple link. They can instantly upload photos and videos directly from their smartphone, with no complex account creation.

Live Image Wall Projection: To energise the evening, uploaded photos are displayed in real time on a large screen in the venue. This playful feature encourages guests to share their shots and creates immediate collective interaction.

Built-In Moderation: A filtering system lets the organiser approve photos before public projection or final inclusion in the gallery, ensuring only appropriate content is shown.

Full Quality and Metadata Preservation: Unlike social networks or messaging apps, the platform keeps the original files at 100% quality. It also preserves all EXIF metadata (geolocation, exact date and time), enabling precise chronological and geographic sorting in the final gallery.

Shared Post-Event Access: After the celebration, the newlyweds and all contributors can download the entire gallery, with everyone leaving with a complete visual memory of the day.

The Results: Perfect memories and amplified atmosphere

• Exhaustive photographic coverage: thousands of photos captured from multiple angles and moments a single photographer would likely miss.
• Engaging guest experience: live projection acts as both icebreaker and entertainment, making guests active participants in the celebration.
• Durable digital archive: preservation of original quality and metadata provides a rich digital heritage, ideal for printed albums or geolocated memories.
• Versatility: although born from a wedding use case, the platform adapts perfectly to other events (conferences, corporate parties, birthdays) requiring large-scale visual content collection.

This platform is accessible to all: EvePics.eu

Installation and setup of a new TV decoder

The Challenge: New equipment, a blocked installation
A client had received a new decoder from their provider, but did not know how to install it themselves. Without help, the hardware stayed unused and the television was out of service. A situation that looks simple on paper, yet completely blocks day-to-day use until the connections and setup are done correctly.

The Solution: Guided commissioning, end to end
The intervention consisted in taking the installation from the start, without unnecessary jargon:

Physical connections and installation: Connecting the decoder to the television and the provider's network, checking the cables and confirming that everything powered on correctly.

Configuration and activation: Setting up the device according to the provider's instructions, linking it to the client account and checking that channels and basic functions worked as expected.

The Results: Television service restored
This one-off assistance made it possible to:

• Unblock the situation quickly: The client was no longer stuck with brand-new equipment they could not use.
• Install the hardware correctly: Connections and configuration validated for stable use.
• Restore TV service: The household got a working decoder, ready for everyday viewing.

A useful reminder: a large share of day-to-day IT needs is not about complex projects, but about clear hands-on help to get equipment working again.

Messaging platform for a music and theatre club

The Challenge: Letting members communicate without forcing social networks
In a music and theatre club of some size, communication between members had become a bottleneck. Social networks are often a practical option, but a large share of members — many of them minors — were not allowed to sign up, or simply did not want to use them. As a result, information travelled poorly, topic-based discussions were scattered, and organising in-person meetings remained difficult to coordinate.

The Solution: A custom Discord-like messenger, outside social networks
We designed a dedicated messaging platform tailored to how the club actually works:

Topic-based spaces: Channels organised around the club's activities and needs, so each member can quickly find the conversations that matter, without unnecessary noise.

Privacy and independence: No dependency on social networks. The platform remains an internal tool, suited to a mixed audience (including minors), with a clear focus on privacy and controlled use.

Added feature: absence tracking: Because the tool was custom-built, we could add an absence-noting feature for upcoming in-person meetings — a concrete club need that generic consumer tools rarely cover cleanly.

The Results: Smooth communication, fitted to the club
This platform made it possible to:

• Make exchange easier for every member: Including those who cannot or do not want to use social networks.
• Structure communication by topic: Discussions are clearer and better organised day to day.
• Simplify meeting organisation: Absence tracking lives inside the tool the club already uses, without multiplying channels.

An example of custom web development: not “just another Discord”, but a tool shaped around a real association's constraints — privacy, accessibility for minors, and practical features for the people on the ground.

Migration from Windows to Linux with Zorin OS

The Challenge: Moving to a calmer, more controlled computing environment
A private client wanted to move away from Windows because it no longer matched their expectations for day-to-day use. They were looking for a more focused environment, with fewer visual interruptions, less promotional content built into the system, and a more reassuring approach to privacy. Since their daily computer use was fairly standard, a move to Linux was entirely realistic without disrupting the tools and habits that mattered most.

The Solution: A guided migration to Zorin OS for an easier transition
We prepared and completed the move to Linux by selecting a distribution designed to make the transition from Windows as straightforward as possible:

Validation of real-world usage: We first reviewed the client's software, web-based workflows, peripherals and practical needs to confirm that switching systems would not create unnecessary friction or compatibility issues.

Choosing Zorin OS: Zorin was selected for its approachable interface, familiar visual cues and its suitability for users who want a reliable computer rather than a technical hobby.

Installation and progressive transition: We installed the new system, configured the essentials, restored the client's browsing habits and guided them through the few new reflexes needed so the transition would feel smooth and manageable.

The Results: A calmer workstation and a delighted client
This migration made it possible to:

• Reduce distractions: The environment is cleaner and more focused on the computer's primary role.
• Increase the sense of control: The client now uses a system they perceive as more aligned with their privacy expectations and personal preferences.
• Maintain ease of use: Thanks to Zorin OS, the new setup remained comfortable and easy to learn despite the platform change.

This intervention was carried out in 2026. The client appears very happy with the installation and the simpler day-to-day experience it provides.

Digitising orders and securing restaurant checkout

The Challenge: Eliminating calculation errors and simplifying order taking
A restaurant owner was facing recurring issues affecting both productivity and margins: manual handling of receipts by a student team. The complexity of the menu, combined with numerous customisation options (extras, ingredient removals), frequently led to calculation errors, missed items on the bill, and slower service. These inaccuracies distorted daily accounting and created friction with customers at bill time.

The Solution: An intuitive, tailored point-of-sale (POS) system
We built a custom restaurant management application that perfectly mirrors the structure of the menu:

Visual, Intuitive Item Selection: The interface lets waiters build orders in just a few taps, with no manual price entry. Each item is preconfigured with its exact price.

Granular Management of Customisations: The system natively supports "à la carte" logic:

• Adding Extras: Automatic price increase when adding options (e.g. extra cheese, special sauce).
• Removing Ingredients: Ability to remove items based on customer preferences or allergies, clearly highlighted for the kitchen to avoid preparation errors.

Automatic, Error-Proof Calculation: The bill total is generated instantly and with full accuracy, regardless of the number of modifications applied to the order. No more manual checks or stressful mental maths for student staff.

The Results: Peace of mind in the dining room and preserved margins
Deployment of the tool fundamentally changed the restaurant’s daily operations:

• Zero billing errors: Removing manual calculation eliminated revenue losses due to forgotten items or price mistakes.
• Time savings and productivity: Order taking is faster, allowing staff to focus on welcoming guests and providing service rather than admin work.
• Improved customer satisfaction: Accurate bills, correctly prepared orders and smoother service all contribute to stronger customer loyalty.

This intervention was carried out in 2025 and is in use since.

Structured backup and smooth restoration for a private client

The Challenge: Securing the digital environment before a repair
A private individual had to send their laptop in for warranty repair due to a faulty keyboard. With the manufacturer stating that the machine would be fully wiped, the client risked losing not only personal files (photos, documents) but also their entire custom setup. Without being a technical expert, they needed a simple, reliable way to get their computer "back to normal" as soon as it returned, without having to reinstall everything manually.

The Solution: A one-off, structured and smart backup
We carried out a methodical intervention before the laptop was sent:

Inventory and Smart Sorting: Clear identification of critical folders (documents, images, desktop) and configuration items (browser bookmarks, passwords, software settings).

Centralised External Backup: Full, organised copy of everything onto a secure external drive. The folder structure was kept identical to simplify later restoration.

Guided Restoration Procedure: When the laptop came back (fresh from a software reset), we restored the data in logical steps: first the base configuration so the client could find their way around again, then personal files.

The Results: An immediate, stress-free return to normal
This structured approach led to:

• No data loss: All memories and documents were recovered in full.
• Simplified return to work: The client got their familiar desktop, bookmarks and configured software back, avoiding the tedious task of reconfiguring everything.
• Demystifying the process: A clear, explained method reassured the client and showed that a well-done backup is the best insurance against hardware failure.

This intervention was carried out in 2026.
Discover the review left by the client

Recovering TV channels after an accidental misconfiguration

The Challenge: A silent television, with no clear next step for the client
After an accidental misconfiguration, a client's television had stopped showing its channels. They did not know what had gone wrong or how to fix it. Without a diagnosis, the screen stayed unusable and TV service seemed lost — when in this kind of setup it is often a setting to restore rather than a hardware failure.

The Solution: A fresh frequency scan on the satellite decoder
The equipment in place was a satellite dish decoder. After checking, the channels were no longer listed correctly: a frequency rescan was required — a step the client did not know existed.

Quick diagnosis: Distinguishing a hardware fault from a simple disruption of the channel list, to avoid replacing equipment unnecessarily.

Full frequency scan: Running a new scan on the satellite decoder to find and re-register all available channels.

The Results: Every channel back
This intervention made it possible to:

• Explain the problem clearly: The client understood it was not a “dead” television, but a channel list that needed rebuilding.
• Run the frequency scan: A simple procedure that stays out of reach until you know it exists.
• Restore the full channel set: All lost channels were recovered, and the television was fully working again.

A typical everyday support case: a few minutes of method are sometimes enough to unlock what looks, from the outside, like a total failure.

Digitising registrations for the pedagogical week

The Challenge: Eliminating manual data entry and registration errors
The yearly organisation of a school "pedagogical week" was a major logistical challenge. With many different activities offered to pupils of varying ages and grades, the traditional process relied on distributing paper forms. This led to a double loss of time for the organiser: physically collecting forms and then manually re-entering everything into Excel spreadsheets. The process was not only time-consuming but also error-prone (age incompatibilities, overbooked activities, pricing mistakes).

The Solution: An intelligent, autonomous registration platform
We developed a centralised web application, accessible via a simple link, that automates the entire registration process:

Interactive, Filtered Catalogue: Pupils browse the full list of activities. The system natively applies compliance rules: automatic checks on age and grade level for each activity. Incompatible options are hidden or disabled, ensuring valid registrations from the start.

Real-Time Capacity Management: Each activity has its own seat quota. As soon as the limit is reached, registrations are automatically closed for that activity, preventing overbooking.

Automatic Fee Calculation: For paid activities, the system keeps a running total of costs in real time. At the end, each pupil gets a clear summary of the total amount due, eliminating manual calculation errors.

Dual Management Dashboards: The organiser benefits from two automatically generated views:

• Per Pupil View: Detailed list of activities selected by each student and the corresponding amount to be paid.
• Per Activity View: List of participants for each workshop, including ages and grades, making it easier to plan logistics (supervisors, materials).

The Results: A pedagogical week fully under control
Digitising the process transformed the experience for all stakeholders:

• Massive time savings: Complete removal of manual data entry and paper form checking. The organiser can focus on educational content instead of admin work.
• Data reliability: Business rules (age, grade, capacity) are embedded in the code, eliminating registration errors and schedule conflicts.
• Financial transparency: Automatic fee calculation ensures clear, accurate billing for parents and administration.
• Autonomy and smooth experience: Pupils manage their own schedule, while the school instantly gets accurate statistics to organise groups and required materials.

This intervention was carried out in 2026.

Inherited Apple tablet: restoration limits and a pragmatic workaround

The Challenge: Bringing an Apple tablet back into full use when the account was unreachable
A client had inherited an Apple tablet from a deceased parent. The goal was to restore it for full, independent use. Without access to two-factor authentication on the account still linked to the device, a complete restore was blocked. From the first conversation, the odds of success were described as low, with a clear commitment: if it failed, there would be no charge. The job was only accepted because the client lived nearby: knowing the case was something of a lost cause from the start, a long trip would have cost too much for a mere attempt.

The Solution: Try what was possible, then offer a realistic path
The intervention combined transparency with pragmatism:

Account recovery attempt: We started Apple's account recovery process to work around the two-factor lock. Without success: Apple's security safeguards held, and fully unlinking the previous owner could not be achieved.

Honesty about the failure: As agreed upfront, the client paid nothing for this attempt. Apple does provide a procedure for inherited devices after a death, but it proved too heavy and complex relative to the value of an older tablet — it was not worth pursuing.

Pragmatic use despite the lock: Because the tablet could still be unlocked, we helped the client clean up unused accounts and apps, then install their own accounts. The result: near-full day-to-day use, even without fully releasing the device from its previous owner.

The Results: An owned failure, and a satisfied client
This mission made it possible to:

• Set the limits from the start: The client knew success was not guaranteed and that failure would cost nothing.
• Own the failure openly: A full restore was not possible; that was stated clearly, with no “consolation” invoice.
• Recover practical usefulness: With cleanup and the client's own accounts installed, the tablet remains useful every day.

Sometimes you face failures — and you have to own them. Here, honesty and a few practical tips were enough for the client to remain satisfied with the service, even without a complete technical success.

Digitisation and automation of proof validation

The Challenge: Stopping the time drain in validation workflows
A printing and communication company was facing a critical bottleneck: the validation of print proofs (BAT). The process relied entirely on manual email exchanges, causing a considerable loss of time for both internal teams and clients. PDF versions multiplied, delays accumulated due to the lack of systematic follow-ups, and tracking approvals became an administrative nightmare.

The Solution: A central platform for validation and file transfer
We designed and deployed a custom web application that radically transformed the workflow:

Unified Client Portal: For each project, the company uploads the PDF proofs to the platform. The system instantly generates a secure link sent to the end client.

Interactive Validation Workflow: Through this unique link, the client views the proofs and has two clear actions:

• Approval: An immediate notification is sent to the printer so production can start without delay.
• Rejection with Comments: The client provides reasons for rejection and adds annotations. A "rework" alert is then sent to the production team.

Smart Automatic Reminders: To avoid forgotten approvals, the system automatically sends reminders when no action is recorded within a defined time frame, ensuring proactive follow-up without manual effort.

Integrated File Transfer (WeTransfer-style): Through the same link, the client can also upload source files or missing assets. All exchanges, approvals and files are centralised in a single global view.

The Results: Restored efficiency and operational peace of mind

• Drastically reduced validation times thanks to instant notifications and automated reminders.
• Secured process by eliminating versioning errors and centralising all decisions in an auditable history.
• Improved client experience with a simple, clear and unique interface for all interactions (approval and file transfer).
• Freed up valuable time for teams who can now focus on production and creativity instead of administrative email chasing.

This intervention was carried out in 2025 and is in use since.