Let's Build Together: Edison Code's Micro-SaaS Approach

I've worked in the waste industry for nearly two decades, from running operations at Paso Waste to leading engineering teams at Routeware. Now I'm starting a new chapter with Edison Code. I don't want to do it alone. I want to hear about the problems you face and build tools for them with you.

Why I'm here

Today is my first full day working on Edison Code again. I'm excited and a little nervous. There are many problems in our industry that don't need a large enterprise platform. They need the right tool, built by someone who knows both waste operations and modern software.

So I want to hear from you: haulers, facility operators, municipal leaders, drivers, customer service teams, and everyone else. Where is the friction in your day? Which tasks take time that a computer could do? What information do you wish you had in front of you?

The micro-SaaS approach

What is micro-SaaS?

Micro-SaaS means small software products that each solve one problem well. A micro-SaaS product is:

  • Focused on one problem
  • Quick to set up, with little training
  • Affordable, with clear pricing
  • Self-service, so you can start without a long sales process
  • API-first, so it can connect to the systems you already use

These are specific tools, not a Swiss Army knife. A scale house might not need a full enterprise suite. It might need a ticketing app that moves trucks through faster. A small hauler might not want to replace its whole system. It might need an AI assistant that helps customer service reps look up pricing and service areas during a call.

Why it fits the waste industry

Our industry is diverse. A tool that works for a national hauler may be too much for a family business. A municipality has different needs than a private hauler. Micro-SaaS lets you start where you are:

  1. Low risk: Try a tool without a large system change.
  2. Fast value: See results in days, not months.
  3. One step at a time: Digitize one process at a time.
  4. Pay for what you use: Nothing extra.
  5. No lock-in: Keep what works and drop what doesn't.

Working alongside the big platforms

I want to be clear about one thing. I am still a shareholder in Routeware. My goal with Edison Code is not to compete with full enterprise platforms. It is to build in the gaps around them.

Some examples:

  • Edge cases that aren't worth building into enterprise software
  • Special workflows for certain regions or types of operations
  • Bridges between systems that were never built to talk to each other
  • Experiments that test an idea before wider adoption
  • Small markets that are too small for large companies

Our industry needs both: full platforms and small, specific tools. My time at Routeware showed me what large platforms do well and where smaller tools can help.

What I'm asking for, and what I offer

Tell me about:

  • Daily frustrations that seem too small to mention but add up
  • Manual processes you think could be automated
  • Data gaps where you lack information you need
  • Customer requests you can't meet with your current tools
  • Integration problems where systems don't connect
  • Old processes that exist because "we've always done it this way"

What I offer:

  • Partnership: You bring the problem, and we build the solution together.
  • Fast prototypes: Working concepts in weeks, not months.
  • Direct access: You work with me throughout.
  • Industry knowledge: Tools built by someone who has worked in waste.
  • Clear pricing: No hidden fees.
  • Long-term commitment: I'm building to last, not to sell.

Areas I'm exploring

I'm open to any idea. These are some areas I'm looking at now:

  • Mobile apps for specific operational needs
  • AI automation for routine decisions and replies
  • Integration middleware to connect separate systems
  • Communication tools built for waste industry workflows
  • Optimization tools for facilities and fleets
  • Dashboards for the specific metrics that matter to you

Let's talk

This is not a product announcement. It's an invitation. I don't know every problem you face. I do have the experience and skills to build useful tools, and I care about this industry.

If you're a small hauler with a specific problem, a municipality that wants better communication with residents, or someone with an idea, I want to hear from you.

Email me at [email protected] with:

  • A problem you want solved
  • An idea you've been thinking about
  • Feedback on the micro-SaaS approach
  • Or just your story

You can also follow along on LinkedIn.

Summary

The waste industry is adopting new technology quickly. That doesn't have to mean disruption. It can mean small, focused improvements that make your work easier and your customers happier.

I've spent years building for this industry inside large companies. Now I want to build with you, starting with the tools you need. So, what should we build first?

Jed Dawson is the founder of Edison Code, a micro-SaaS company that builds specific tools for the waste and recycling industry. He has nearly 20 years of experience in operations, product management, and engineering leadership.