Spring clean your tech stack

An image showing spring cleaning for your technology stack.

As the flowers bloom and the birds chirp, it’s time for that annual ritual: spring cleaning. While you’re tidying up your physical space, don’t forget about your digital domain. Yes, we’re talking about your tech stack. The term ‘tech stack’ refers to the suite of digital tools that you use to keep your business running smoothly. It’s easy for small to medium business owners to accumulate a plethora of apps and tools over time, but are they all still serving your needs? Let’s dive into why and how to review your apps to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

Why spring clean your apps?

Let’s start with the most compelling reason – saving money! Subscription fees for apps can quickly add up, especially if you’re not actively using all of them. By reviewing your tech stack, you can identify which ones are essential and which ones can be trimmed to reduce unnecessary expenses.

Having too many apps can lead to confusion and inefficiency. Have you ever found yourself asking “Did you save it in Google Drive or as an attachment in Asana?”, “Is it in Miro, or did you make a flowchart in Zapier Canvas?” Consolidating your tools not only saves money but also streamlines your workflow. When your team knows exactly where to work, communicate, and find information, productivity soars.

How to Review Your Tech Stack

An Image showcasing a collection of different technology tools and platforms, often referred to as a 'tech stack'."

Set aside dedicated time

Just like any other important task, reviewing your apps requires dedicated time. Schedule a meeting or block out some time on your calendar to ensure it gets done. Remember, if you don’t make time for it, you’ll never “find” the time.

Review app features

Technology is constantly evolving, and so are app features. Take some time to review the latest updates and enhancements of the apps you use. Are there new features that make other apps obsolete? If so, consider consolidating your tools for a more streamlined experience.

Check your subscriptions

Make sure that you know all of the apps that you’re paying for, you might be surprised to find subscriptions for apps you forgot you even had. Check your emails, bank account payments and password managers to find any regular app payments you’re making. Make a list of all the apps you’re currently paying for and if you’re on an annual subscription, make a note of when the subscription renews, and if it auto-renews. Having this information in one place will make your life a lot easier the next time you want to review your tech stack.

Assess their value

Now that you have a list of your subscribed apps, it’s time to evaluate their value to your business. Ask yourself: Are they still serving a purpose? Do they contribute to your bottom line? If not, it might be time to bid them farewell. If you need some help reviewing the apps that you have, our blog post There’s an app for that, but do you need it? provides a framework for assessing whether an app will provide value for your business.

Cancel unused apps

Armed with your newfound knowledge, it’s time to take action. Cancel those unused apps while they’re fresh in your mind. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also declutter your tech stack for improved efficiency.

Summary

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home – it’s for your tech stack too! By reviewing your apps, you can save money, consolidate tools, and boost productivity for your business. Remember to set aside dedicated time, assess the value of your apps, and cancel unused subscriptions. With a little effort, you can ensure that your tech stack is lean, mean, and ready to propel your business forward. Happy cleaning!

Solvaa: Strategy, Solutions, Support, Education

UK-based Solvaa® is a systems, process and automation consultancy specialising in improving business workflows. Solvaa® works with SMEs worldwide to implement digital tools, better processes, use business process automation and generative AI to boost productivity, enhance lead management, and remove unnecessary time, costs and hassles from stretched business owners’ days.

We help you simplify and streamline existing processes, integrate your business tools to make data transfer more efficient, and automate manual tasks. Our business process automation specialists have extensive experience using multiple cloud-based business tools, including Zapier, Pipedrive CRM, SmartSuite, Xero, Google Suite, ClickUp, Asana, Airtable, Hubspot, Active Campaign, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Quickbooks and many more. We are Zapier Certified Experts, SmartSuite Certified Partners, Pipedrive Certified Partners and Xero Certified Advisors. We also educate teams about using AI in their daily roles, mindset, governance and strategy in our Solvaa AI Academy.

Solvaa® was founded in 2016 by Kelly Goss, a no-code solutions architect, business process automation specialist and author of Automate It with Zapier (first edition) and Automate It with Zapier and Generative AI (second edition).

A thought leader on business process automation and digital adoption, Kelly attended an invite-only Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the UK government at No.10 Downing Street, providing insights and recommendations on how SMEs can benefit from productivity gains by using digital technologies, automation and AI. She has also been invited to speak at the House of Lords and at many other events.

Contact us today to find out how Solvaa can help your business make big savings on operational costs and time, and significantly increase productivity.

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Spring clean your tech stack: how to review your apps to save money and boost efficiency

Why spring clean your apps?