Developer Spotlight: ArchitectNow And Building A Software Development Firm To Last

Picture of Kevin GrossnicklausKevin Grossnicklaus is not only a prolific developer, Telecaster player, fly fisherman, home brewer, and gamer, but he’s also the Principal of ArchitectNow, a successful software development firm located in St. Louis. Founded over 10 years ago, his team designs, builds and launches robust web and mobile applications for startups and Fortune 100 clients alike.

We had the chance to sit down with Kevin and Chris Young, Director of Development at ArchitectNow, to get their perspective on building a business dependent on innovative, scalable, and reliable applications.

Can you tell us about one of ArchitectNow’s projects that you are most proud of and why?  

Kevin: One of our largest deployments is a platform for a Fortune 100 retailer. This platform allows the client to track what suppliers and merchandisers are in the stores and what they are doing. Using MongoDB Atlas and Microsoft Azure allows us to scale this application to meet the demands of the client as we add features and users to this application. To give you a sense of the scale, at any one time this application can have over 60,000 concurrent users along with roughly 10 heavy data feeds from outside sources. MongoDB helps us rapidly consume and process this data.

Why did you found ArchitectNow and how has it evolved over the years?

Kevin: I founded ArchitectNow in 2008 right around the time the markets crashed. I had just spent 11 years running a team of developers for another firm but when that firm decided to get out of the custom software development business, I decided to take what I had learned and start my own business. For the first year, it was just me working remotely from my kitchen, but I quickly realized I could sell more work than one person could feasibly do. At that point, I hired my first two employees and we have slowly grown to the 13 employees over the years. As we grew, my wife quickly kicked us all out of our kitchen and we secured a formal office space!

Walk us through your process for building apps - how does MongoDB and the document model help you move fast?

Kevin: Many of our projects come to us as ideas with varying degrees of design. In these scenarios, we help our customers flesh out the specifics of their concepts and start to put the technologies in place for implementation. We take a lot of pride in being given this level of trust and we do as much homework as possible for our recommendations. Particularly when it comes to the database platforms, there are a lot of options out there. We want to choose something that we know is flexible and can scale as the client’s product grows, so that’s why MongoDB is our go-to choice for data persistence.

Our team has also really embraced the design and implementation best practices that streamline the use of NoSQL environments. For example, our user interfaces leverage the use of complex objects stored in the database to be managed and returned to our rich web-based UI’s developed in Angular or React to cross-platform mobile interfaces developed with a framework such as Xamarin. These interfaces typically communicate back through an API layer developed in either ASP.NET Core/C# or NodeJS/NestJS. Within these API frameworks we typically do the manipulation of any models persisted into MongoDB. As we design systems, we naturally think in these object oriented ways; so MongoDB's document data model is a great platform to plug into most of these architectures.

How would you describe the impact of using MongoDB Atlas for ArchitectNow’s projects?

Kevin: MongoDB Atlas helps us provision new environments for our clients in minutes enabling a robust DevOps continuous deployment process of all application components. All team members have Docker images running MongoDB for local development. Due to the consistent platform processes, we are able to efficiently seed sample data and recreate our entire DevOps pipeline for new projects, maximizing development speed. Everyone knows how the process works and trusts that the various layers of our architecture, including MongoDB Atlas, will be available and scalable as necessary.

What are some of the features of MongoDB Atlas that have been most helpful to the team working on these projects?

Chris: There are three features that we use on a regular basis. The first is the Real-time Performance Panel which is great for identifying queries that aren’t performing well. The second, is the Performance Advisor which is really useful for spotting and indexing trends, missing indexes or areas where we are not properly using existing indexes. Finally, the custom Monitoring and Alerts capability makes it easy to configure proactive warnings if there are issues. These all keep us focused on developing and delivering projects without having to constantly worry about the database.

Your team has migrated projects to MongoDB Atlas for clients many times. Can you tell us about your experience using the Atlas Live Migration Service?

Chris: It could not have been an easier process. When we started reading the documentation and setting up our first customer to use it, we thought, “it can’t be this easy.” But it actually was that easy and painless. We have now successfully used it a half dozen times and have not run into any issues.

Hiring is the toughest part of growing a business. How do you find the right people and what do you look for when hiring developers?

Kevin: When we hire developers, our primary focus is on communication skills and passion for technology because we know we can train or mentor the right people on any new tool. It’s more critical that we hire people that can effectively communicate their technology passion and that our clients can depend on to deliver. Focusing on those two things has led to a continued partnership with many of our customers for over 10 years.

What are some technologies you are excited about that you are using today, or want to learn more about?

Kevin: We’re most excited about getting into the VR or Unity development space. At the office, we have some great setups of gaming and VR systems and it’s a constant discussion between our team members and customers about how to solve business problems with these systems.

Additionally, platforms like Microsoft Azure have continued to grow with some great capabilities for development teams like ours and we’re just scratching the surface of what they offer. We’re excited to bring Bot services, Knowledge Bases, Image recognition, and other various machine learning based services to our clients soon!

Finally, what advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business?  

Kevin: Most businesses thrive or fail based on their sales processes. I often hear technologists say they want to start a business that either sells a product or is more of consulting business like ours. But I rarely hear any solid sales plans. While they may be great developers, they usually have little to no experience selling anything and convincing strangers to hire you over the thousands of other options they have is tricky. I tell people don’t quit your day job until you have your first 20 customers lined up and contracts signed.

The Recommender:

Check out Kevin’s picks for books, conferences, and more.

Book: Game Engine Black Book: Doom by Fabien Sanglard. This book dives deep into the history of the project, the technologies of the time, and how Carmack and Romero put together the Doom game engine and iD software launched this legendary game. It’s a very technical read and is a great story about how a little creativity and determination can lead to successfully delivering a legendary product.

Conference to attend this year: Check out devupconf.org in St. Louis! We’ll be leading workshops and some talks, so come say “hi” to the team.

What are you learning next: We are hoping to get more into VR programming. We have a dedicated VR room at the office and a few of our team have started working on some game ideas in Unity.

MongoDB Atlas is the easiest and fastest way to get started with MongoDB. Deploy a cluster in minutes.
← Previous

The 2038 problem and how to solve it for MongoDB

This year, 2019, is halfway between 2000 and 2038. If you don't know, 2038 is going to be an interesting year like 2000 was an interesting year for dates and times. 2038 is the year that the 32-bit signed integers that people have been using since the 1970s to represent time will roll over; 2,147,483,647 seconds will have passed since 1 January 1970 and rolling over means the signed value flip to the largest negative value.

March 5, 2019
Next →

Being Latine in Tech: Two MongoDB Employees Share Their Advice on Building Careers in Engineering

Ashley Naranjo and Martin Bajana, members of MongoDB’s employee resource group QueLatine, share their career journeys and offer insight into how other members of the Latine community can build careers in tech. Jackie Denner: How did you make your way into the tech industry? Ashley Naranjo: I am a first-generation Latina with a passion for Information Technology and a knack for problem-solving. After graduating early from high school, I embarked on a career in Nursing. I chose Nursing initially because I wanted to make a difference and help others, but my path took an unexpected turn when COVID-19 reshaped our world. In light of the circumstances, I reevaluated my options and decided to seize an opportunity with a program called Year Up . During the intensive six-month training and deployment phase, I not only completed rigorous coursework but also obtained IT Google Coursera certifications and actively pursued CompTIA certifications. This experience allowed me to secure an internship at Meta (Facebook) as an Enterprise Operation IT Support Tech, where my love for technology blossomed. During my time at Meta, I had the privilege of assisting diverse Meta users worldwide with a wide range of technical issues, including troubleshooting, software and hardware support, internal access permissions, and more. The exposure to a global tech environment further fueled my passion for the field. When my internship concluded, I was offered a 1-year contract role with Meta to continue my work as a support tech for the same team. Throughout that year, I immersed myself in all aspects of technology, maximizing my learning opportunities and applying my networking skills. As time went on, I knew I needed a new challenge. This led me to embark on a search for an exciting role, which eventually brought me to MongoDB. I am passionate about driving technological innovation, and MongoDB is a place where I can make an impact. Martin Bajana: My interest in technology stems from a variety of sources. From a young age, I developed a strong passion for video games and exploring new technologies. Whether it was experimenting with the latest gaming consoles or delving into computer hardware, I relished the opportunity to learn and understand the inner workings of these technologies. In school, I discovered my affinity for mathematics, which further solidified my decision to pursue a career in the tech industry. Choosing to study computer science in college was a natural progression for me, as it allowed me to combine my love for technology with my aptitude for problem-solving. After completing my education, I was recruited by Verizon, where I worked on front-end applications and Android development. Although the transition was initially challenging, I persevered and regained my confidence. It was during this period that I realized a career in technology was my long-term aspiration. Throughout my tenure at Verizon, I embraced opportunities to work across various teams, acquiring valuable experience and honing my skills. Eventually, I made the decision to join MongoDB, which has provided me with an enriching journey and the chance to shape my career in the tech industry. JD: Have there been any challenges you've faced throughout your career? AN: Imposter syndrome has been a significant challenge for me throughout my career, and it's something I still deal with to this day. When surrounded by my talented colleagues, I would often compare myself to them and focus on my perceived weaknesses and flaws, leading to a lack of self-confidence. However, I tackled this issue by addressing my feelings with my manager. Her support and guidance helped me realize my own potential and acknowledge my accomplishments. Maintaining a positive mindset has enabled me to view myself as a competent engineer and recognize the value I bring to my team. I have learned to take ownership of my successes and embrace opportunities for growth. Stepping out of my comfort zone has become a regular practice, as personal and professional development often stems from embracing challenges and discomfort. By giving myself permission to take up space and be confident in my abilities, I have been able to overcome imposter syndrome and continue to thrive in my role. MB: I have been fortunate enough to work for companies and teams that value and respect me for the work I deliver. Being in the tech industry and growing up in a culturally diverse region of the country, I have had exposure to individuals from various backgrounds and identities, which has made me more comfortable as a Latinx individual in the industry. My personal goal is to promote a work environment where everyone is judged based on the contributions they bring to the team, rather than their identity. I believe in supporting and respecting the identities of my peers and coworkers while fostering a culture of inclusivity and equality. JD: How has MongoDB supported your career growth and development? AN: In my time working at MongoDB, I have experienced exceptional support that has greatly contributed to my professional development and growth. As an engineer at MongoDB, I have been provided with numerous opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills through participation in tech talks, hackathons, and continuous learning about emerging technologies. I am grateful for the proactive approach taken by my manager and team leaders in fostering my growth as an engineer. Additionally, MongoDB's commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through the company's DEI initiatives. Platforms like our employee resource group “QueLatine” have made me feel a stronger sense of connection and belonging, particularly among my Latinx peers. By recognizing the power of our diverse backgrounds and experiences, MongoDB empowers us to have a meaningful impact in the industry. MB: I have experienced full support from my leader since day one. They have proactively sought to understand my career goals and have helped me create a clear career path to achieve those goals. This level of support has enabled me to take on challenging projects and initiatives within the company, allowing me to grow and develop in my career. Furthermore, MongoDB offers a wealth of learning and development resources to its employees, which I have fully utilized to continue learning and growing my skill set. JD: What is your advice for other Latines who want to begin careers in tech? AN: Having made a significant career change myself, I can empathize with the challenges that come with exploring new paths, particularly in the tech industry. As a Latina in tech, I feel a strong desire to encourage and raise awareness within our community about the incredible resources and opportunities that are available to us. My advice to others who may be considering a similar journey is to prioritize the continuous development of your technical skills, actively seek out mentoring opportunities, push yourself beyond your comfort zone by honing your networking abilities, and most importantly, believe in yourself and your ability to achieve great things! MB: Navigating the vast world of technology can certainly be overwhelming, but it's important not to fear feeling lost. Even after 12 years in this career, there are still days where I come across something I've never heard of before. Fortunately, we live in a world abundant with resources for continuous learning. My advice is to take the time to explore and ask questions. Seek out open-source projects that you can contribute to, and connect with other professionals in the tech industry who can share their experiences and provide guidance. Additionally, taking advantage of hackathons and other tech events can expose you to new technologies and ideas. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, and most importantly, don't give up! Join us in transforming the way developers work with data. Build your tech career at MongoDB .

September 20, 2023