ENVY and Absolute use CETA Software for production management
Since ENVY’s acquisition of Absolute in 2022, the two companies have merged their expertise to create a powerhouse post-production facility, delivering an extensive range of services. ENVY, a leading long-form post-production company, specialises in broadcast television and works on projects like The Traitors, Squid Game The Challenge, The Apprentice, and major documentary series. Absolute, on the other hand, focuses on high-end VFX for series including The Rig and Sweetpea, as well as commercials, and animation for some of the world’s largest brands including Range Rover, Marks & Spencer and Bulgari.
Despite operating in different segments of the industry, both companies rely on CETA Software to manage their workflows. Absolute had been using CETA for 20 years, while ENVY is also a long-standing client. Following the acquisition, they consolidated their platforms into a unified system, establishing a single source of truth for production management. This integration has streamlined every stage of their pipeline, from bidding and scheduling to reporting and billing, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and better decision-making.
“The level of reporting we get from
CETA Software helps us make smarter business decisions.”
Jai Cave, Technical Operations Director, ENVY
Optimising operations with CETA Software
CETA Software plays a critical role in managing ENVY and Absolute’s entire production management pipeline. The platform is used from the quoting stage through to scheduling, resource management, cost tracking, and final billing.
“CETA Software has improved our visibility on quotes and actuals in real-time, meaning we can make decisions much faster. Rather than waiting for a monthly report, we can see exactly where we stand on any given day,” says Jai Cave, Technical Operations Director at ENVY. “This helps us deliver a better service to clients because they always know where they are in relation to their quote.”
A key benefit is the ability to track bids versus actuals. Whether working on a high-volume VFX project with multiple small tasks or a large-scale long-form production, the platform enables teams to monitor their progress against initial estimates.
“With all quotes going through the same system, we have homogenous data that allows us to compare estimates with actual usage,” Jai explains. “Clients often ask, ‘Where am I right now?’—CETA lets us provide that answer instantly.”
Driving business decisions and client relationships
Beyond improving project management, CETA Software provides ENVY and Absolute with valuable insights for business strategy. The reporting tools help leadership teams analyse trends, assess profitability, and make informed decisions about the types of work most beneficial to the company.
“The level of reporting we get from CETA Software helps us make smarter business decisions,” Jai says. “We can track who we are working with, compare department workloads, and assess which projects are most profitable.”
For client relationships, having access to real-time data ensures transparency and trust. The system allows for a quick turnaround on quotes and invoices, helping strengthen partnerships and maintain smooth operations.
Seamless integration and customisation
Integrating CETA Software with other systems across the company has been a game-changer for ENVY and Absolute. This interoperability has reduced manual data entry and improved workflow automation.
“We’ve integrated into CETA’s API, which is great because it lets us connect with other systems and bring everything together,” Jai notes. “For example, we can pull actuals from other tracking tools straight into CETA, eliminating the need for manual updates.”
The ability to customise billing and invoicing templates is another advantage. Different teams within ENVY and Absolute use CETA in tailored ways, ensuring that both long-form post-production and VFX workflows remain efficient.
A single source of truth
By consolidating production management onto a single platform, ENVY and Absolute have achieved a new level of operational clarity. Every resource—whether a physical machine, an artist’s time, or a production schedule—is accounted for in CETA Software, ensuring a holistic view of projects in real time.
“CETA Software has given us a single source of truth across the company,” Jai concludes. “It allows us to track every job, every cost, and every client interaction in one place, helping us not only improve efficiency but also deliver a superior experience for our clients.”
The bottom line
CETA Software has become an integral part of ENVY and Absolute’s production management pipeline. By improving workflow visibility, enhancing reporting capabilities, and informing better business decisions, it has enabled the combined company to operate with greater agility and precision. As they continue to grow, the ability to scale and integrate seamlessly with other systems will ensure they remain at the forefront of the industry.
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