Building Systems That Actually Work
We started nodedatadev because we kept seeing the same problem. Businesses invest in automation, then end up with systems that need constant babysitting.
That never made sense to us. If you're automating something, it should stay automated.
So we built our practice around creating systems that run themselves — not just on launch day, but six months down the track when everyone's moved on to the next project.
How We Got Here
Back in 2019, we were part of a larger development team. Good people, solid work. But we kept hitting the same wall with automation projects.
The initial builds would go fine. Then three months later, something would break. A vendor would update their API. Data formats would shift. Systems that were supposed to save time started eating it instead.
We realized the problem wasn't technical skill — it was approach. Most developers build automation like it's a one-time project. But real systems need to handle change without falling apart.
That's what pushed us to start nodedatadev in early 2023. We wanted to focus entirely on building automation that stays reliable when conditions shift.
What Makes Us Different
We don't do flashy demos that fall apart in production. Every system we build includes error handling, monitoring, and recovery processes from day one.
We also don't disappear after launch. Most issues with automation show up weeks later, not during testing. So we stick around through that critical period when you actually find out if something works.
And we're honest when automation isn't the answer. Sometimes manual processes are fine. We'd rather tell you that upfront than build something unnecessary.
What Drives Our Work
These aren't corporate values we put on a wall. They're the actual principles that shape how we build systems and work with clients.
Reliability Over Features
A system that does three things perfectly beats one that does ten things inconsistently. We focus on making core functions bulletproof before adding anything else. Most automation fails because it tries to do too much.
Transparent Communication
If something's going to take longer, cost more, or won't work the way you expect — we tell you immediately. No corporate doublespeak, no hiding problems until they're crises. Just straight talk about what's realistic.
Real-World Testing
We test with actual data volumes, actual network conditions, and actual edge cases. Lab testing misses the weird situations that break systems in production. So we simulate the chaos before you experience it.
Long-Term Thinking
We build systems assuming your business will change, vendors will update their platforms, and data structures will evolve. Because they will. Automation that can't adapt isn't automation — it's technical debt waiting to happen.
Petra Kowalczyk
Lead Systems Developer
Based in Port Macquarie, working with businesses across Australia since 2023Who's Actually Building Your Systems
I'm Petra, and I run the technical side of nodedatadev. Started programming in 2014 — backend systems, API integrations, data processing. The stuff that happens behind the scenes.
Spent five years at a fintech company building transaction processing systems. That's where I learned that reliability isn't optional. When systems handle money, they either work perfectly or cause serious problems. No middle ground.
Left that role in 2022 because I wanted to work directly with businesses instead of through layers of management. Started nodedatadev the following year with a simple goal: build automation that doesn't require constant maintenance.
What I Actually Do
- Design system architectures that handle failure gracefully instead of breaking completely
- Write code that other developers can understand and modify six months later
- Build monitoring systems that catch problems before clients notice them
- Test systems with real-world scenarios, not just happy-path examples
- Document everything so you're not dependent on me to understand your own systems
I work with a small network of specialists when projects need skills outside my expertise — database optimization, cloud infrastructure, specific platform integrations. But I'm the person you'll talk to about your project, and I'm the one responsible for making sure it works.
Based in Port Macquarie since 2021. Work mostly with businesses in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, but location doesn't matter much when you're building systems remotely anyway.
Discuss Your Project