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The Ironhide Toolbelt

The platforms we use every day to turn data into decisions — from raw tables to executive dashboards, automations, and the ops fabric that runs the business.

Explore the stack, compare options, and see real patterns we ship in Sprints.

How the stack fits together

Data Sources

ERP, CRM, e-comm, ads, support, ops spreadsheets.

SalesforceHubSpotExcelShopifyQuickBooks

Ops Fabric

Run processes, intake → delivery. Guardrails. Interfaces.

AirtableService accounts

Automation

Move data, notify owners, schedule outputs.

ZapierNative automationsWebhooks

When to choose what

Power BI vs. Tableau vs. Excel

Power BI

  • Best for Microsoft shops, rapid KPI apps, row-level security.
  • Great governance, easy distribution via Power BI Service.
  • See how we build it →

Tableau

  • Deep visuals & exploratory analysis. Data storytelling.
  • Strong for analyst/insights teams with custom needs.
  • See how we build it →

Excel

  • King for ad-hoc modeling, uploads, and familiarity.
  • We harden it: data hygiene, automation, source-of-truth.
  • See how we harden Excel →
Snowflake vs. “Just SQL”
  • Snowflake — elastic scale, role-based access, zero-copy clones, near-zero admin. Ideal once volume or concurrency grows.
  • SQL Server/Postgres — perfect for many SMBs; we add backup jobs, views, and ETL guards so it behaves like a mini-warehouse.
  • Snowflake approach → · Our SQL playbook →
Airtable vs. “Spreadsheet stacks”
  • Airtable — linked records, role-based Interfaces, intake → ops workflows, and reliable automations with logs.
  • Spreadsheets — flexible, but fragile. We often migrate the process layer to Airtable and keep Excel for analysis.
  • See Airtable patterns →

Sprint patterns we ship

Executive KPI System

One source of truth + weekly snapshot everyone reads.

  • WarehouseSnowflake or SQL
  • Ops FabricAirtable for stakeholder inputs
  • DashboardsPower BI or Tableau
  • AutomationZapier alerts & PDF snapshots

Intake → Delivery Ops

Requests flow to owners with SLAs, milestones, and receipts.

  • Ops FabricAirtable Interfaces
  • DataLinked records + governance
  • AutomationZapier + native triggers
  • ReportingExec one-pager (PDF)

E-commerce Growth

SKU-level profitability, channels, fees, returns — in one view.

  • SourcesShopify + Ads + Finance
  • WarehouseSnowflake
  • DashboardsPower BI
  • OpsAirtable promos/assortment planning

Nonprofit Impact

Donor funnel, program outcomes, grants, compliance.

  • CRMSalesforce or HubSpot
  • OpsAirtable program tracking
  • DashboardsTableau or Power BI
  • AutomationZapier reporting packs

What we harden (so it lasts)

Data Quality

Validation rules, backfills, dedupe, audit fields.

KPI Definitions

Business-approved logic with version control.

Interfaces

Role-based views and buttons that prevent error.

Automations

Retries, logging, and alerts to catch failure fast.

Security

Least-privilege roles, service accounts, audit logs.

Handoff

Loom walkthroughs + runbook for admins.

FAQ

Do we need every tool listed here?

No. Most Sprints use 3–4 pieces: a data store, an ops layer for inputs, automation, and a dashboard. We pick what fits your stack and budget.

Will you replace our current tools?

Not unless it helps. We consolidate where it reduces risk and manual work, but we also harden what you already have.

How fast until we see a preview?

Most Sprints see their first dashboard preview in ~5 business days, with weekly progress via Loom.

Not sure where to start?

We’ll review your stack, pick the lightest-lift path, and map a two-week plan.