Have you ever struggled to create internal tools that are easy for non-technical users to use? You know, the kind of tools that don’t require spinning up a server or installing Python. I’ve been there too. Recently, I came across a Reddit post that resonated with me. The author was looking for a framework to build standalone internal tools that can be used by non-technical users without much fuss.
The requirement was simple: a tool that users can click, input 6 files, and get a report comparing values across those files. Sounds easy, right? But, the catch was that it shouldn’t require a server to run 24/7 or need users to install Python. The author had considered PowerBI, but it wasn’t meant for executing actions when buttons are clicked.
I totally get it. As developers, we want to create tools that are user-friendly and don’t add to the already overwhelmed IT infrastructure. The author had also looked at Tkinter, but its outdated look wasn’t inspiring confidence. Streamlit and Shiny were other options, but they required a server to run continuously.
So, what are our options for building internal tools that are simple, easy to use, and don’t require a lot of infrastructure support? That’s what I want to explore in this post. Whether you’re building tools for a team of 5 or 50, you’ll find some valuable insights here.
Let’s dive in and explore some alternatives that can help us create internal tools that are efficient, effective, and easy to use.