The importance of Solutions Architecture Deploying New Tech Stacks

In a rapidly changing technology environment, pharma organisations face the need to transform their processes and systems to meet emerging business requirements. Solutions architecture plays a crucial role in deploying new technology stacks effectively and efficiently. In this article, we sit down with Patrick Leung, a seasoned Solutions Architect to delve deeper into how solutions architecture contributes to this process.

Q: Can you explain what your role is at Veratrak?

A: I recently joined Veratrak as a Solutions Architect. Previously, I worked at Amazon Web Services (AWS) as an architect for nearly six years, helping some of the world's biggest companies to transform, innovate and scale.  

At its core, a Solutions Architect is responsible for designing and implementing complex software solutions. We have to understand how all parts of the business model work together including processes, operating systems, and application architectures. At Veratrak, my job involves understanding the client's objectives, assessing their existing systems, and then designing a comprehensive solution that meets their needs. 

Q:  In your role, how do you promote operational excellence when deploying  new technology stacks?

A: In many cases, deploying a new tech stack involves integrating it with existing internal and third party systems. My role is to plan and design these integrations to ensure seamless communication between a pharma company and their different suppliers. Understanding these aspects allows me to design a specific solution that fits their environment best.

Veratrak operates in accordance with the strictest industry regulations, and operational excellence is a key focus of our work. We streamline processes, optimise workflows, and ensure that our integrated platform functions efficiently. We also consider how data will be shared and synchronised between the new and existing systems via the Hub. By implementing best practices, we help pharma organisations reduce costs, minimise downtime, and maximise productivity across their supply chain. 

Q: Security is a top concern in the tech world. How does a Solutions Architect contribute to it?

A: Security is paramount in today's digital landscape. Solutions Architects are responsible for identifying potential vulnerabilities and designing systems with security in mind. At Veratrak, we select appropriate authentication methods, encryption protocols, and user access controls. We are ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified and have implemented quality systems, security and compliance into the fabric of everything we do to ensure infrastructure protection and data integrity. By proactively addressing security concerns, we help protect sensitive data and safeguard against cyber threats.

Q: Reliability is crucial for any software. How do Solutions Architects ensure it?

A: Reliability is a non-negotiable aspect of software systems. At Veratrak, we design architectures that are fault-tolerant and scalable: we plan for redundancy, implement monitoring systems, track system performance to identify issues proactively, and devise disaster recovery strategies. This way, we ensure that the system remains available and responsive, even during unexpected events. Additionally, we plan for routine maintenance tasks like software updates and security patches.

Q: Performance efficiency is another critical aspect. How do you optimise it?

A: Solutions architects are keenly focused on scalability and performance. We design systems to handle increased loads and traffic as the project grows. Performance optimisation is an ongoing effort, we carefully select the right frameworks for our clients’ projects. This might involve setting up load balancers, optimising database queries, or implementing caching mechanisms to ensure that the system performs well under heavy usage. 

Q: What would you say is the key takeaway about the importance of solutions architecture in deploying new technology stacks?

A: Solutions Architecture plays a pivotal role in shaping the technology landscape when looking to modernise a company’s IT system. The key takeaway is that Solutions Architects are the ‘architects of success’ for software projects and new tech stack implementation. Architects create detailed documentation that includes architecture diagrams, deployment guides, and best practices. We balance technical expertise with a deep understanding of business goals. 

At Veratrak, our role is not just about designing systems, it's about creating solutions that drive operational excellence, ensure security, and simplify data integration.

Contact us to learn how we can help manage your systems upgrade and third party integrations.