What is a Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi is a low-cost, credit-card-sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python. It’s capable of doing everything you’d expect a desktop computer to do, from browsing the internet and playing high-definition video, to making spreadsheets, word-processing, and playing games.
What Did I Use It For?
To cut down on high monthly expenses for generic reports, I implemented a cost-effective solution using a Raspberry Pi as a server. By scheduling cron jobs, I automated Python scripts to interact with job management software APIs. This setup pulled customised, meaningful data from various systems, collated it into an Excel file, and emailed it to a specified list of recipients. This automation not only saved our company hundreds of dollars each month but also ensured timely and precise reporting.
Want To Find Out More?
If you want to explore how this project could improve your business reports then get in touch through one of my social media pages. The oppurtunities are endless when it comes to Raspberry Pi's automating reports, so long as the system you want to pull reports from supports API interactions anything is possible!
Benefits of Using Raspberry Pi
Cost-Effective:
The Raspberry Pi is significantly cheaper than traditional servers.Energy Efficient:
It consumes much less power compared to a full-sized server.Customisable:
It allowed for custom scripts and automations tailored specifically to our needs.Compact Size:
Its small size makes it easy to deploy in various environments without taking up much space.Community Support:
A large and active community that provides support and resources for troubleshooting and optimisation.