The Solution Architecture: Softr + Airtable + Make
Scalable automated workflows with No-Code Tools
Softr
Build internal tools, client portals and CRMs on top of Airtable — without writing a single line of code.
- ✓ Secure user login & role-based access
- ✓ Drag-and-drop app builder
- ✓ Perfect for client dashboards
Airtable
Flexible database meets spreadsheet simplicity — ideal for centralizing operations, content or CRM pipelines.
- ✓ Relational structure, real-time views
- ✓ Easily managed by non-tech teams
- ✓ Works seamlessly with Make & Softr
Make
Visual automation platform to connect your apps, sync data, and build powerful workflows without writing code.
- ✓ 1,500+ app integrations
- ✓ Advanced filters & routers
- ✓ Ideal for scaling business ops
In this first edition of The Solution Architecture, we break down how combining Softr, Airtable, and Make delivers a modern, lean alternative to traditional app development ideal for internal portals, client-facing dashboards, and data-driven workflows.
This stack enables teams to ship tools faster, automate bottlenecks, and stay adaptable without writing a single line of code.
The Business Problem
A fast-growing logistics firm approached us with a common but critical pain point:
- Field agents couldn’t access real-time inventory or client data.
- Quote requests were handled manually via email, often leading to delays or errors.
- Internal teams were overloaded with repetitive admin tasks.
- Clients had zero visibility into order status, pricing tiers, or documentation.
The result? Lost time, lost deals, and poor internal visibility.
The Stack: Why Softr + Airtable + Make?
We designed a no-code architecture that allowed the company to solve all of these problems in under 3 weeks using three core tools:
| Tool | Role in Stack |
|---|---|
| Softr | Front-end web portal with user login & roles |
| Airtable | Relational database backend (CRUD + formulas) |
| Make | Workflow automation engine (triggers & actions) |
Together, they created a seamless flow from data input to automation to user-facing UI.
Architecture Overview
1. Airtable: The Smart Backend
- Tables created:
- Clients, Products, Inventory, Quotes, Orders, Users.
- Relational logic: Quotes link to Clients and Products.
- Calculated fields: Discounted prices, order totals, delivery time estimates.
Airtable
Flexible database meets spreadsheet simplicity — ideal for centralizing operations, content or CRM pipelines.
- ✓ Relational structure, real-time views
- ✓ Easily managed by non-tech teams
- ✓ Works seamlessly with Make & Softr
Airtable offered the perfect balance: structure, flexibility, and no development overhead.
2. Softr: The Custom Portal Layer
- Branded UI with dynamic blocks: product list, quote form, status dashboard.
- User login & role-based permissions:
- Clients only see their quotes and orders.
- Internal users have full visibility.
Softr
Build internal tools, client portals and CRMs on top of Airtable — without writing a single line of code.
- ✓ Secure user login & role-based access
- ✓ Drag-and-drop app builder
- ✓ Perfect for client dashboards
Softr’s visual builder made it easy to deploy a responsive, polished frontend tied directly to Airtable.
3. Make: The Automation Brain
The glue that ties it all together. Key workflows built in Make included:
- New Quote Submission → Slack + Email notification to sales.
- Quote Approved → Create Order + Inventory Adjustment.
- Status Change → Notify client via email.
- Weekly Report → Summary of open quotes & active orders sent to management.
Make
Visual automation platform to connect your apps, sync data, and build powerful workflows without writing code.
- ✓ 1,500+ app integrations
- ✓ Advanced filters & routers
- ✓ Ideal for scaling business ops
Make ensured no lead was forgotten, no task left pending.
Key Advantages of This Architecture
Rapid Time to Value
The entire stack was operational in 19 days, without internal dev resources.
Centralized Data Ownership
Ops teams maintain their own data via Airtable — no dependency on engineers.
Zero Tech Debt
No custom code to maintain, no server hosting, no infrastructure risk.
Easy Iteration
New modules (e.g., a returns portal) can be added in hours, not weeks.
Real Business Impact
- Admin work reduced by 60% for the sales team.
- Quote-to-order cycle time dropped from 3 days to less than 6 hours.
- Client satisfaction increased: Real-time status updates, self-service quotes.
- Ops teams empowered to manage everything without tickets or developer help.
When to Use This Stack
This setup is ideal when you need:
- A secure client portal with personalized data views.
- A custom CRM or quoting tool that adapts as your business grows.
- Internal dashboards for order tracking, onboarding, or project management.
- Quick delivery with no dev dependencies.
Not suitable for:
- Heavy transactional apps or real-time sync at scale.
- Highly customized logic requiring branching or loops.
- Systems requiring granular user permission models beyond role-based logic.
Softr
Build internal tools, client portals and CRMs on top of Airtable — without writing a single line of code.
- ✓ Secure user login & role-based access
- ✓ Drag-and-drop app builder
- ✓ Perfect for client dashboards
Airtable
Flexible database meets spreadsheet simplicity — ideal for centralizing operations, content or CRM pipelines.
- ✓ Relational structure, real-time views
- ✓ Easily managed by non-tech teams
- ✓ Works seamlessly with Make & Softr
Make
Visual automation platform to connect your apps, sync data, and build powerful workflows without writing code.
- ✓ 1,500+ app integrations
- ✓ Advanced filters & routers
- ✓ Ideal for scaling business ops
Final Thoughts
Softr + Airtable + Make delivers a modular, scalable framework for solving operational inefficiencies with speed and precision. It’s not a replacement for full-stack engineering but it’s an undeniable force multiplier when agility and iteration matter most.