Let’s talk about tech stacks. If you’re not working in the field of IT, computer engineering, or development, you may not know what a “tech stack” is and how important it is to have a strong one for the applications your company is using! In short, a tech stack is a combination of technologies and programs that a company uses to build its application. If you’re working in the facilities management and logistics sector, utilizing software with a strong tech stack provides ample benefits and seamless integrations to help your team handle whatever comes your way. Today, our team of technical integrations experts discusses what’s in our tech stack for our facilities workflow software, Intra, so you can see how your current solution measures up.

Breaking Down the Tech Stack Basics

Tech stacks can be confusing to those who are not well-versed in the technology, so we’re here to break down the basics. Your tech stack should be unique to your team, used to achieve long-term goals and complete daily tasks with ease. Your tech stack can be a single or “full-stack,” meaning that you have one software that encompasses everything you need. Your tech stack can also refer to multiple point solutions that you are using to complete specific tasks. Finally, your team can also have a growth stack, which refers to a group of tools such as CRM and integrations that focuses on performance metrics with additional customization. 

Operating Systems & Servers

While each tech stack is individualized for your organization, there is a loose framework of categories that many tech stacks follow. First, software developers will choose an operating system and coding language in which to write the application. For example, we use Windows and Windows Server in our tech stack for Intra. Additionally, your tech stack will include the server or servers that let your application send and receive requests. Examples of servers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Continuing with the Microsoft trend, our team uses Azure as our hosting server. 

Backend & Frontend Framework

When creating software, both frontend and backend frameworks must be chosen to help build the application correctly. Frameworks are a connection of languages, libraries, and utilities designed to help developers build applications and provide the basic structure for communicating with your database. At SCLogic, we use Microsoft’s .NET framework to create Intra. We chose this framework because it is cross-platform, meaning whatever approved language you’re using, your code will run natively on any compatible operating system. Additionally, .NET is an active community and open-source framework, which we think is fantastic. This means that developers can join thousands of other organizations already contributing to the .NET platform, reducing errors, and improving the application for the entire community. Frontend frameworks are used to create a fast, easy to understand user experience on the client side.

Business Intelligence Solutions

Business intelligence refers to the combination of business analytics, data visualization, data tools, and infrastructure, and best practices to help organizations make data-driven, strategic decisions. From maintenance dashboards to partner or employee performance, business intelligence solutions should be an integral part of your tech stack. This allows your team to make strategic, long-term decisions that will not only optimize daily tasks but increase future revenue as well. Our team uses Microsoft Power BI, an industry leader in the business intelligence field, that provides deep, meaningful insights through a user-friendly interface.

Security & Network Resources

In addition to necessities for your tech stack such as a comprehensive framework and business intelligence, security and additional data collection for your tech stack should not be overlooked. Just as it’s important to ensure your software is working quickly, you also need to make sure security remains at the forefront. For Intra, our team uses Cloudflare, which creates a programmable network that helps protect and accelerate external, public-facing web properties and secure internal operations. Not only does this help optimize your software, but it protects you from costly cyber threats as well. 

 Additionally, and commonly centered toward facilities management and operations industries, we use Microsoft’s Active Directory, which enables administrators to manage permissions and access to network resources, as well as create a directory of objects by name and attribute, which is a fantastic tool for asset managers, central receiving managers, or mailroom managers. 

Strategizing Your Tech Stack Layout

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, one stack does not fit all. When reviewing or considering new software, understanding how your current tech stack works together and what you’re looking for in the future is key. The first step in building your tech stack is to define your goals. Depending on the size of your team and industry, your primary goal may be increasing revenue, improving daily workflows, increasing security, or optimizing the employee and customer experience. After identifying goals within your team, you should communicate with other departments or teams who may specialize or impact your tech stack usage. That way, you can make sure that you’re incorporating all areas in which your employees may want automations. 

While each item in your tech stack should play a role in easing your daily workflows, each platform within your tech stack should be able to integrate or fit together in some way. For example, the majority of pieces in our tech stack at SCLogic run through Microsoft. This makes it easier to troubleshoot and allows our developers to gain expertise in many applications run through the same organization. If your team uses a tech stack that does not integrate well, you’re ultimately losing time while you pull reporting, customize, and master multiple point solutions.

Why Your Company Needs a Modern Tech Stack

Now, you may be wondering if you even need a tech stack within your business. We’re here to tell you the answer is absolutely! Whether you are a small startup or a large-scale corporation, tech stacks are crucial in creating a seamless and cohesive operations platform for your business. Tech stacks provide comprehensive data and improved security to help your team manage daily tasks with ease, reducing operational costs and helping you strategize and gain revenue for the future. Not only do tech stacks help you internally, but they provide ample benefits for other departments, partners, and customers. With a fast, reliable interface, you can foster meaningful connections, and improve internal KPIs, relevant SLAs with partners, and customer service. 

How SCLogic’s Tech Stack Sets Our Software Apart

At SCLogic, we’ve created a modern stack that tackles hundreds of pain points your team faces from an operational and facilities management standpoint. We are constantly working to stay ahead of the innovation curve, thinking toward the future and how our software can be improved through customer feedback and industry research. If you are looking to implement or update your current facilities management software, finding one with an unparalleled tech stack will provide extensive benefits for your team! To learn more about our tech stack for Intra, as well as learn more about how your current tech stack compares, email [email protected] or schedule a demo with one of our team members today.