Innovate > Code > Repeat
"When Data Worlds Align, Magic Happens"
Just as a syzygy is a rare and spectacular alignment in the cosmos, Syzygy helps bring order to the chaos of your Excel spreadsheets. We’re passionate about turning scattered data into organised, easy-to-search databases that actually work for your business – so you can focus on what matters, not battling with spreadsheets.
The Syzygy Story
Our Origin
Every big idea starts with a spark. For Ian Mac Olive and Arnold Dreyer, that spark was seeing businesses everywhere drowning in endless Excel files, but starved for real, useful insights. We noticed teams sitting on piles of valuable information locked inside spreadsheets – just out of reach. Syzygy was born to unlock that potential, turning buried data into business gold.
Our Mission
We exist to create perfect data alignment – transforming unwieldy Excel spreadsheet into elegant, efficient database systems that empower businesses to make faster, smarter decisions.
Why "Syzygy"?
/ˈsɪzɪdʒi/
The Science Behind Our Name
In astronomy, syzygy occurs when three celestial bodies align in a straight line – a rare event that creates extraordinary gravitational effects and stunning visual phenomena.
At Syzygy, we create our own form of cosmic alignment:
- Your Raw Data (the source)
- Our Expertise (the catalyst)
- Your Optimised Database (the destination)
When these three elements align perfectly, the result is transformational, much like when planets, moons, and stars come together in their celestial dance.
Our Expertise Constellation
Data Migration Mastery
- Complex Excel-to-database conversions
- Multi-sheet consolidation and normalisation
- Legacy data preservation and optimisation
- Custom field mapping and validation
Database Architecture
- Scalable schema design
- Performance optimisation
- Integration-ready structures
- Future-proof data modelling
SEO-Enhanced Data Solutions
- Search-optimised database structures
- Metadata enrichment for discoverability
- Content organisation for maximum visibility
- Performance optimisation for web applications
Meet the Founders
Ian Mac Olive - Operational Efficiency Catalyst
Turning Excel Chaos Into Profitable Operations
Ian Mac Olive’s database solutions deliver immediate, measurable operational improvements that show up on your bottom line within months, not years. His engineering services clients consistently report administrative overhead reductions of 60%+, while his site diary systems have cut payroll reconciliation time by 70% across multiple implementations.
Quantified Results Across Industries:
- Up to 60%+ administrative overhead reduction (multiple engineering services implementations)
- Up to 70% payroll reconciliation time savings (site diary systems)
- Up to 50% improvement in reporting accuracy (WIP revenue analysis)
- Up to 80% processing time reduction (academic institutions)
- Up to 40%+ administrative effort reduction (air conditioning operations)
Ian’s integrated operational databases eliminate the hidden costs of Excel-based chaos, including duplicate data entry, version control errors, manual reconciliation time, and the productivity drain of searching for information across multiple spreadsheets. His clients don’t just get better systems—they get more profitable operations.
Cost Elimination Areas:
Manual data entry, reconciliation errors, administrative overhead, reporting delays, and version control issues
Arnold Dreyer - Solving Excel Data Nightmares
"We Were Drowning in Spreadsheets Until Arnold Showed Up"
Arnold Dreyer is an analyst and developer based in Edenvale, South Africa, with over 40 years of experience in the IT industry. He specializes in converting Excel-based systems into robust Microsoft Access databases for corporate and local organizations.
Arnold’s career began designing accounting systems for mainframe and PC platforms, working with Cobol and Microsoft Basic. He spent five years with UNISYS South Africa as an Analyst/Programmer, building development tools for programming teams. He then worked for nine years with a national fast-food franchise as a Visual Basic developer, managing sales processing, recipe analysis, and stock control systems.
Since 2002, Arnold has focused exclusively on addressing a critical business challenge: organizations struggling with spreadsheets that have become too large, complex, and error-prone to manage effectively. His Access solutions restore control, improve performance, and reduce risk through SQL Server backends, intuitive custom interfaces, and protective startup routines.
Arnold works directly with subject matter experts to understand requirements, clean existing data, and deliver systems that support long-term growth with minimal operational disruption. His projects span diverse industries, including food service, healthcare, manufacturing, and research institutions, consistently delivering improved data integrity, reduced errors, and streamlined workflows.
Arnold’s systems don’t just automate processes—they eliminate most of the daily frustrations. His clients describe the transformation as “finally having systems that help instead of hinder.”
Our Process: The Alignment Protocol
Phase 1: Discovery & Analysis
We map your current data landscape, identifying all Excel files, understanding relationships, and spotting optimisation opportunities.
Phase 2: Architecture Design
Like plotting a celestial trajectory, we design your perfect database structure with precision and foresight.
Phase 3: Transformation & Migration
Our systematic conversion process ensures zero data loss while maximising efficiency and accessibility.
Phase 4: Optimisation & Launch
Fine-tuning performance, implementing search capabilities, and ensuring seamless integration with your existing systems.
Phase 5: Ongoing Alignment
Continuous monitoring and optimisation to keep your data systems performing at their peak.
Why Choose Syzygy?
Utilising off-the-shelf software has its advantages, but there are many pitfalls as well. Here are some benefits for creating custom solutions:
Precision-Engineered Solutions
Like the mathematical precision required to predict celestial alignments, we approach every project with meticulous attention to detail and systematic methodology.
Future-Ready Architecture
We don’t just solve today’s problems – we build systems that scale and adapt as your business grows.
SEO-First Approach
Every database we create is optimised for search and discovery, ensuring your data works harder for your business visibility.
Ready to Align Your Data Universe?
The perfect moment for transformation is now. Let Syzygy orchestrate the alignment between your scattered Excel data and a powerful, unified database system.