Product Engineering · Open source · Symbl · shipped late summer 2026
Adapting an open-source platform into Symbl’s B2B catalogue
I researched and selected an open-source CRM/application as a starting point, adapted it for Symbl’s B2B use case with a custom frontend and backend, and took it live as the B2B entry point.
- Open source
- Frontend
- Backend
- Deployment
- B2B
- WhatsApp integration
Project stages
Overview
Symbl needed a B2B entry point. Instead of building one from nothing, I researched open-source options and selected a CRM/application to use as the foundation.
I then adapted it for Symbl: customizing the user experience and workflows, building the frontend and backend the use case required, and taking it live.
The catalogue is a B2B landing page where buyers can see everything Symbl offers across the spectrum, from consumables such as gloves and sanitizer up to medical equipment such as lifts and hospital beds.
The catalogue also includes WhatsApp integration.
The problem: Turn an open-source foundation into a deployed business application, with a custom frontend and backend, that serves as Symbl’s B2B entry point.
What the live site shows
- A healthcare procurement catalogue under the headline “Healthcare procurement, made simpler.”
- Five product categories: Consumables, Medical Equipment, Furniture & Infrastructure, Facility & Hygiene, and Professional & Operational Supplies.
- Calls to action to explore products, request a quote and talk to Symbl.
- A four-step “how it works” sequence: Discover, Compare, Procure, Operate.
- Prices in rupees, in English, under the India region (/in/en).
Observed on the public site on 22 October 2026.
Decisions
- Adapt, do not rewrite
- The implementation is an adaptation of an open-source foundation, not a rewrite.
- Customize the experience and workflows
- The user experience and application workflows were tailored to Symbl’s B2B use case.
- Build the frontend and backend the use case needed
- I built the required frontend and backend on top of the foundation.
- Take it live
- I handled deployment, hosting, domain setup, routing and production configuration so the catalogue went live as the B2B entry point.
My contribution
Built
- Researched and selected the open-source foundation.
- Adapted it to Symbl’s requirements, including the user experience and workflows.
- Frontend and backend implementation.
Deployed
- Hosted on AWS, with CI/CD and observability alongside the rest of the platform.
- Deployment and hosting.
- Domain setup, routing and production configuration.
Questions People Ask
Is it live?
Yes: catalogue.symbl.health.
What does the catalogue cover?
The full range Symbl offers: consumables like gloves and sanitizer, through to medical equipment such as lifts and hospital beds.
Is it a custom rewrite?
No. It is an adaptation of an open-source CRM/application, with a custom frontend and backend built on top.
What did you do personally?
Selected the foundation, adapted it for Symbl’s B2B use case, built the frontend and backend, and handled deployment, hosting, domain, routing and production configuration.
Does it connect to WhatsApp?
Yes, the catalogue includes WhatsApp integration.