The stack represents a set of integrated systems to run a single application without additional software. In this way and above all, one of the main goals of a technology stack is to improve communication about how an application is built. In addition, the chosen technology package may contain:
- the programming languages used;
- structures and tools that a developer needs to interact with the application;
- known performance attributes and limitations;
- survey of strengths and weaknesses of the application in general.
As a rule, stacks must have a specific purpose. For instance, if we look at the the web 3.0 stack (what is web 3.0?), you will see how much different it is in relation to a data analysis stack in statistical R language. That is, the construction of a stack you should always ask: What is the underlying business purpose?
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Where does this term come from?
The term comes from the software development community and along with it it is also quite common to speak of a full-stack developer.
A full-stack developer is, in turn, the professional who knows how to work in all layers of technologies of a 100% functional application.
Why is the technological stack so important?
Firstly, on the one hand, the accountant has all company transactions registered for financial management, on the other hand, developers and project leaders need the information of the development team.
Secondly, developers cannot manage their work effectively without at least knowing what is happening, what are the available technology assets (systems, databases, programming languages, communication protocols) and so on.
The technological stack is just as important as lifting inventory control from a company that sells physical products. It is in the technological stack that both the business strategy and the main learning (maturity) of system tests that the company has been through are concentrated.
The technological stack the working dictionary of developers in the same manner data analytics look at their data dictionaries to understand the meaning of variables and columns. It is an important item of maturity in the governance of organizations.
Without prior knowledge of the technological stack, management is unable to plan hiring, risk mitigation plans, plans to increase service capacity and, of course, the strategy for using data in the business area.
Technology stacks are particularly useful for hiring developers, analysts and data scientists.
“Companies that try to recruit developers often include their technology stack in their job descriptions.”
For this reason, professionals interested in advancing their careers should pay attention to the strategy of personal development of their skills in a way that is in line with market demand.
Technological stack example
The professional social network, Linkedin, for example: it is composed of a combination of structures and programming languages and artificial intelligence algorithms to be online. So, here are some examples of technologies used in their stack:
Technological Stack – Linkedin for 300 million hits – Author Philipp Weber (2015)
Is there a technological stack for analytics?
Yes, currently the area of analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence are known for the massive use of techniques and technologies of information systems. Likewise, analytical solutions require very specific stacks to meet functional (what the system should do) and non-functional (how the system will do – security, speed, etc.) business requirements for each application.
As the foundation of a house, the order in which the stack is built is important and is directly linked to the maturity of the IT and analytics teams, so we recommend reading this article – The 3 pillars of the maturity of the analytics teams (in Portuguese).
In more than 10 years of research in different types of technologies, we have gone through several technological compositions until we reached the conformation of the current Aquarela Vortx platform. The main stack results for customers are:
- Reduction of technological risk (learning is already incorporated in the stack);
- technological update;
- speed of deployment and systems integration (go-live);
- maturity of the maintenance of the systems in production and;
- the quality of the interfaces and flows in the production environment as the stack makes the maintenance of technicians’ knowledge more efficient.
Conclusions and recommendations
In conclusion, we presented our vision of the technological stack concept and how it is also important for analytical projects. Which, in turn, impacts strategic planning. Yet, it is worth bearing in mind that technological stacks are just like business, always evolving.
The success of defining successful stacks is directly linked to the maturity of the IT and analytics teams (The 3 pillars of the maturity of the analytics teams – In Portuguese).
Regardless of the sector, the decisions involved in shaping the technological stack are a factor of success or failure in IT and analytics projects. Because, they directly interfere in the operation and in the business strategy.
Finally, we recommend reading this other article on technology mitigation with support from specialized companies – (How to choose the best data analytics provider? in Portuguese).
What is Aquarela Advanced Analytics?
Aquarela Analytics is Brazilian pioneering company and reference in the application of Artificial Intelligence in industry and large companies. With the Vortx platform and DCIM methodology, it serves important global customers such as Embraer (aerospace), Randon Group (automotive), Solar Br Coca-Cola (food), Hospital das Clínicas (health), NTS- Brazil (oil and gas), Votorantim (energy), among others.
Stay tuned following Aquarela’s Linkedin!