Episode 6: What is a technology stack?

Understanding the technology stack in simple terms

How technology layers fit together

A clear understanding of how different layers of IT interact can make technology procurement far more strategic. Technology can feel complicated, but breaking it down into a simple stack helps reveal how each layer relies on the one beneath it and influences the one above.

The stack is described from the bottom upward, showing how each layer relies on the one beneath it. If one part changes, the rest is affected, which is why understanding the stack is useful for anyone involved in technology procurement or IT decision-making.

The foundation: data centres and facilities

The first layer is made up of data centres or facilities. This is simply wherever the hardware physically lives. It could be a server room, an office space, or a purpose-built facility.

When organisations place a lot of IT equipment in one place, they need to consider power usage, cooling, and physical space. Every piece of hardware needs a home and a power source, which is why this sits at the bottom of the stack.

The networking layer

Above facilities sits the networking layer. The episode discusses networking as something most people use daily without thinking about it, such as mobile phone connectivity, satellite links, or underground copper cables.

This layer connects the data centre to the outside world. Key considerations include bandwidth and speed, as well as the different types of networking available. Telecoms and IT networking often work best when considered together.

The compute and storage layer

The next layer is compute. This includes laptops, desktops, mobile phones, and more importantly, servers. Servers are powerful computers that run applications and can be difficult and expensive to source.

Storage sits closely alongside compute. This includes disk drives and other places where data is held. The episode keeps it simple, but this layer plays a crucial role in how systems operate.

The security layer

The security layer protects everything beneath it. This typically includes software, and sometimes hardware, such as antivirus tools, firewalls, and systems designed to reduce the risk of attacks.

Security is a big topic, but the episode focuses on the core idea: without effective security, the entire stack is exposed.

The system management layer

Above security sits system management. This includes monitoring tools, incident management platforms, and other software used to run and maintain an IT estate. These systems help everything operate smoothly.

The database and application layer

At the top of the stack sit databases and applications. These are the systems most people interact with day to day, such as email, finance platforms, or HR software.

They store information and deliver services, but they can only run effectively if all the underlying layers are working as they should.

Why understanding the stack matters

All layers interrelate. Changing one part of the stack affects everything else above and sometimes below it. For example, moving a data centre or changing the networking layer requires wider planning across the whole technology estate.

Procurement teams do not need to become IT experts, but understanding the stack helps them ask better questions. It ensures that decisions are made with awareness of dependencies, risks, and impacts across the organisation.

Understanding the technology stack provides a clearer view of how IT fits together and why strategic, joined-up thinking is essential.

If you’d like advice on how to understand and manage your technology stack more strategically within your organisation, get in touch.