Kintone

What is Kintone

Kintone is an all-in-one workplace platform that allows teams to build custom business applications, automate workflows, and manage data without needing extensive technical skills. Its core purpose is to replace scattered spreadsheets and disconnected single-purpose apps with a unified, collaborative environment. Users can create applications for CRM, project management, expense reporting, employee databases, and more using a drag-and-drop interface. Kintone is a product of Cybozu, Inc., a Japanese software company founded in 1997. The platform is designed to empower 'citizen developers'—business users who can create solutions to their own problems, leading to more efficient and data-driven operations.

Kintone Features

• Drag-and-Drop App Builder: Easily create custom database applications from scratch, from a template, or by converting an Excel spreadsheet. No coding is required to build the core application.
• Workflow Automation: Design and implement custom workflows for processes like approvals, task handoffs, and content reviews. Set up automated reminders and notifications to keep processes moving.
• Centralized Data and Communication: Keep conversations and data in the same place. Users can comment directly on data records, eliminating the need to search through emails or chat logs for context.
• Customizable Dashboards and Reporting: Create personalized dashboards with charts, graphs, and reports to get a clear overview of key metrics and project statuses.
• Granular Access Controls: Set detailed permissions at the app, record, and field level. This ensures that team members only see and edit the information relevant to their roles.
• Process Management: Define and visualize business processes to track the status of any task or project, from sales lead management to customer support tickets.
• Mobile Accessibility: Access, view, and update data from any smartphone or tablet, ensuring teams can stay connected and productive from anywhere.
• Extensions and Integrations: Expand Kintone's functionality with a wide range of plugins, extensions, and API integrations to connect with other business systems.

Kintone Pricing Plans

Kintone's pricing is typically based on a per-user, per-month subscription model with a minimum number of users required. They generally offer a primary plan that includes access to most features, such as unlimited app creation, workflow automation, and storage space. For larger organizations with more complex needs, an Enterprise plan is available. This tier often includes advanced features, premium support options, and enhanced security controls. The pricing structure is designed to be straightforward, providing a comprehensive solution without a complex web of different tiers for small to medium-sized businesses.

Kintone Free Plan

Kintone does not offer a permanent free plan. However, they provide a 30-day free trial that gives full access to the platform's features. The trial allows potential users to build applications, test workflows, and explore all functionalities with their team. This trial period is designed to help businesses evaluate if Kintone is the right fit for their specific needs before committing to a paid subscription.

How to use Kintone

Getting started with Kintone is a straightforward process focused on building custom solutions quickly.

1. Sign Up: Begin by signing up for the 30-day free trial on the Kintone website.
2. Create an App: Once inside your Kintone subdomain, you can create your first application. You have three options: build from scratch, use a pre-built template from the marketplace (e.g., CRM, Project Manager), or upload an existing Excel or CSV file to convert it into a Kintone app.
3. Customize Your App: Use the drag-and-drop form builder to add and arrange fields. You can add text fields, number fields, date selectors, dropdown menus, user selection fields, and file attachments.
4. Set Up Workflows: Navigate to the app's settings to define a process. You can create steps (e.g., 'Draft,' 'Manager Approval,' 'Approved') and assign actions and responsibilities for each step.
5. Configure Permissions: In the settings, define who can view, add, edit, and delete records. You can set permissions for individual users, departments, or groups.
6. Collaborate: Start adding data to your app. Invite team members to collaborate, assign tasks, and use the built-in commenting feature on records to discuss specific items.
7. Build Reports: Create custom graphs and reports to visualize your data and track progress directly from the app.

Pros and Cons of Kintone

Pros:

• Ease of Use: Non-technical users can build powerful applications without writing any code.
• High Customization: The platform is very flexible, allowing teams to build solutions that fit their exact processes.
• Centralization: It brings data, tasks, and communication into a single, unified platform, reducing reliance on multiple tools.
• Powerful Workflow Automation: The process management features are robust and help automate repetitive administrative tasks.
• Collaboration Features: In-context commenting on records keeps conversations organized and accessible.

Cons:

• User Interface: The UI can feel less modern compared to some newer competitors in the no-code space.
• Pricing Model: The per-user pricing with a minimum user requirement can be costly for very small teams or startups.
• Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic app building is easy, advanced customization using JavaScript or complex workflows can have a steeper learning curve.
• Limited Built-in Integrations: While it has a strong API, the number of pre-built, one-click integrations is smaller than some other platforms.

Kintone integrations

Kintone can be connected to a variety of other software tools through its API, plugins, and integration platforms like Zapier. This allows for the creation of a more connected and automated business ecosystem. Key integrations include:

• Zapier: Connect Kintone to thousands of other web applications to automate data transfer between them.
• Microsoft Power BI & Tableau: Visualize Kintone data with powerful business intelligence and data analytics tools.
• Slack: Send notifications from Kintone to Slack channels to keep your team updated on important events.
• Salesforce: Sync data between Kintone and Salesforce to ensure consistency across your sales and operations teams.
• Outlook: Integrate with Microsoft Outlook to streamline communication and data management.
• Google Workspace: Connect with Google tools for better document management and collaboration.

Kintone Alternatives

• Airtable: A flexible platform that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the power of a database. Airtable is known for its modern and intuitive interface and is great for content calendars, project tracking, and simple CRMs.
• Smartsheet: A powerful work management tool that uses a familiar spreadsheet-like interface. It excels at project management, offering features like Gantt charts, resource management, and automated workflows.
• Quickbase: An enterprise-focused low-code platform for building complex, mission-critical business applications. It is more powerful and scalable than Kintone but also more complex and expensive.
• Zoho Creator: A low-code application development platform that is part of the extensive Zoho ecosystem. It offers deep customization capabilities and integrates seamlessly with other Zoho products.
• Notion: A versatile all-in-one workspace that combines notes, tasks, wikis, and databases. While less focused on structured database applications, it is highly flexible for knowledge management and team collaboration.

Kintone API

Yes, Kintone provides a comprehensive set of APIs for developers. This includes a REST API for server-side integrations and a JavaScript API for client-side customization. These APIs allow you to programmatically read, write, and update data in Kintone apps, integrate with other systems, and build custom user interfaces.

To use the API, you typically need to generate an API token from within the settings of a specific Kintone app. This token provides secure, authenticated access without needing user credentials. You can find detailed documentation on the Kintone Developer Network website.

Example cURL request to get records:

curl -H "X-Cybozu-API-Token: YOUR_API_TOKEN" "https://your_subdomain.kintone.com/k/v1/records.json?app=APP_ID"

This command fetches records from the specified app ID using your unique API token.

Kintone Affiliate program

Kintone offers a Partner Program rather than a traditional affiliate program with public commission rates. This program is designed for technology partners, solution providers, and resellers who want to build solutions on the Kintone platform or sell Kintone to their clients. Partners typically receive benefits like technical support, training, co-marketing opportunities, and referral fees or reseller discounts. To join, you generally need to apply through the Kintone website and discuss the terms with their partnership team. For individuals looking to promote the tool, it is best to contact their support or sales team to inquire about potential influencer or referral arrangements.