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D6 Inc. Catalog
- javascript,
- react,
- ionic framework,
- styled components,
- sass,
- redux,
- google cloud storage,
- node,
- express,
- jwt,
- mongodb
Mobile-first catalog developed for D6 Inc. using the Ionic Framework for the frontend, with a Node.js REST API connected to MongoDB.
Goals
D6 Inc. approached us with a challenge their sales team was facing: all of their products were stored in a single spreadsheet. While the spreadsheet was easy to update, it was becoming increasingly difficult for the sales team to navigate and use efficiently. They needed a solution that would allow them to easily find and showcase products, regardless of location, while also enabling their product team to add and update items seamlessly. The final solution was a website/app, accessible only to the D6 Inc. team, that cataloged their entire product line.
Stack Explained
After meeting with the D6 team and reviewing their requirements, I took some time to decide on the best approach for my first solo full-stack development project. I wanted to balance familiarity with new learning opportunities, so I ultimately chose the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express, React, Node) along with Google Cloud Storage.
For the front-end, I opted for React.js, my preferred JavaScript framework, as it allowed for quick development. I also used the Ionic Framework, enabling me to build a single codebase that worked across both web and native platforms.
The back-end was a more challenging decision. Wanting to learn while avoiding complexity, I chose to build a Node.js API with a MongoDB database. Node.js was new to me, but my JavaScript experience made it approachable. I selected MongoDB for its flexibility, which was ideal for managing D6 Inc.'s diverse product specs. Plus, it offered a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience with NoSQL databases.
Challenges
The biggest challenge I faced in this project was being the sole developer on a brand-new project. From the design phase to production deployment, I handled everything on my own. Until then, I had only worked on similar projects as part of a full team with collaborators and leads.
The lack of support in architecting the back-end, designing the UX/UI, or having someone overseeing the project was a significant adjustment compared to what I was accustomed to.
Takeaways
My biggest takeaway from this project was realizing the significant difference between working solo and being part of a team. As my first solo project, I'm proud of what I accomplished and the lessons I learned. I now have a clear understanding of what it takes to build a complete project from scratch, along with valuable experience in Node.js, Express, MongoDB, and Google Cloud Storage.
D6 Inc. is extremely pleased with the final product and is actively using it across their organization. I’m currently in discussions with them to explore additional features and quality-of-life improvements they’d like to implement.