Technology Stack

A workware solution typically combines several types of technologies to create a complete workflow. This guide organizes these technologies by functional category, allowing you to substitute the specific tools that best fit your organization's existing systems.

Core Components

1. Orchestration & Workflow Tools

These platforms serve as the "brain" of your workware solution, connecting other systems and defining the logic of how they interact.

• Examples: n8n, Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), Microsoft Power Automate, Pipedream
• Key capabilities: Visual workflow building, conditional logic, scheduling, error handling

2. Event Triggers

These mechanisms allow your workware to respond to events across your tech stack.

• Examples: Webhooks, API endpoints, Email triggers, Form submissions, Scheduled events
• Key capabilities: Real-time responsiveness, customizable payloads, security controls

3. Data Storage & Management

Places to store and retrieve information needed by your workflows.

• Examples: Airtable, Supabase, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel
• Key capabilities: Structured data storage, querying, permissions management

Connected Systems

4. Communication Tools

Platforms where humans share information and collaborate.

• Examples: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Email systems
• Key capabilities: Messaging, notifications, conversational interfaces

5. Documentation & Knowledge Management

Systems for storing and organizing information.

• Examples: Notion, Confluence, Google Docs, SharePoint, GitBook
• Key capabilities: Content creation, organization, searching, permissions

6. Issue & Project Tracking

Tools for managing tasks, bugs, and project workflows.

• Examples: GitHub Issues, Linear, Jira, Asana, Trello
• Key capabilities: Task assignment, status tracking, prioritization

7. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Systems for managing customer interactions and data.

• Examples: Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Microsoft Dynamics
• Key capabilities: Contact management, activity tracking, sales pipeline management

Extension Components

8. Authentication & Identity

Systems that manage who can access what.

• Examples: Okta, Auth0, Google Workspace, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)
• Key capabilities: User management, single sign-on, access control

9. APIs & Integration Endpoints

Services that expose functionality for connection.

• Examples: REST APIs, GraphQL endpoints, SDKs, third-party service APIs
• Key capabilities: Data exchange, remote functionality, standardized interfaces

10. Monitoring & Observability

Tools to track the health and performance of your workware.

• Examples: Custom dashboards, logging systems, notification rules
• Key capabilities: Error detection, performance tracking, alerting