A tech stack is the combination of software, tools, and technologies that a business uses to carry out its operations. This combination can cover a wide range of tasks including sales, marketing, HR, finance, customer support, e-commerce, and more.
The tools within a tech stack are the building blocks of a composable or MACH-aligned platform. Composable tech stacks allow a company to be responsive to internal and external needs and adjust its tools as the business evolves.
A tech stack can consist of anywhere from just a few tools to hundreds of different pieces of software all performing specialized tasks. Each business will have its own unique needs based on its size, budget, and purpose, but all businesses benefit from choosing tools that integrate seamlessly with API integrations. API integrations allow the applications to communicate with each other and automate tasks and actions across the ecosystem.
According to the Zulo 2023 SaaS Management Index Report, the average small business uses 172 apps. Mid-sized companies have 255 apps on average, while large enterprises have an average of 664 apps. The average stack size across companies of all sizes is 291.
Common tech stack components include sales and CRM tools like Salesforce or Hubspot, marketing tools like MailChimp and Google Ads, communication tools such as Slack and Zoom, project management platforms like Asana and Trello, and accounting tools like Quickbooks. E-commerce brands will need to include platforms like Shopify. Most businesses will also need cloud storage and file management like Google Drive or OneDrive and customer support tools such as Zendesk.
A well-assembled tech stack can offer many benefits, like greater efficiency from automation and streamlined business processes. A tech stack also provides increased scalability with tools that can grow with your business and improved insights from having all of your data integrated across those tools. Additionally, the right collection of tools can provide more personalized interactions, which improves customer experiences.
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