AWS
Cloud infrastructure we use to host, run, and scale backend systems, data platforms, and integration layers — selected on a project-by-project basis for what it offers, not used as an unconditional default.
- Containerized service
- Serverless function
- Production environment
- Staging environment
- Private network (VPC)
- Load balancer
- Relational database
- Read replica
- Object storage
- Async task queue
- Metrics & alarms
- Automated backups
AWS (Amazon Web Services) is the cloud infrastructure platform we use most often to host, run, and scale the systems we build — compute, databases, storage, networking, and managed services for common operational needs. North Tech Labs is not an AWS partner and does not hold AWS certifications; we use AWS as an engineering tool, selected because it fits a project's requirements, not because of a vendor relationship.
Where it fits
Most of the systems we build need reliable compute, a database, storage, and a way to run backend services without a team having to operate physical or virtualised infrastructure from scratch. AWS provides a broad catalogue of managed services covering these needs, which removes a meaningful amount of undifferentiated infrastructure work from a project.
That breadth is also why AWS projects need deliberate architecture. The platform offers many ways to solve the same problem, at different cost and operational-complexity trade-offs, and a poorly scoped infrastructure design can end up more expensive or more complex to operate than the problem required. We scope AWS usage to what a project actually needs rather than defaulting to the most feature-rich option available.
North Tech Labs is not an AWS partner, reseller, or holder of AWS certifications. We use AWS the way we'd use any engineering tool — because it's a strong technical fit for many projects — without implying an official vendor relationship that doesn't exist.
Core capabilities
- Container-based and serverless compute for backend services
- Auto-scaling based on real traffic patterns
- Managed deployment pipelines for application code
- Managed relational and NoSQL database services
- Object storage for files, documents, and media
- Data pipelines and analytics services for larger data workloads
- Load balancing, content delivery, and DNS management
- Identity and access management for infrastructure-level permissions
- Monitoring, logging, and alerting for operational visibility
Common use cases
- Application backend hostingRunning the API and backend services behind a web or mobile product.
- Data platforms and integration layersInfrastructure for systems consolidating data from multiple sources, such as manufacturing or logistics integration platforms.
- File and document storageStorage for user-generated content, documents, or media at scale.
- Scalable customer-facing systemsInfrastructure for products where traffic varies significantly and needs to scale up or down accordingly.
Architecture & integration considerations
- Right-sizing infrastructureChoosing services and instance/resource sizes matched to actual expected load, rather than over-provisioning for hypothetical scale.
- Cost visibilityInfrastructure designed with cost monitoring from the start, since AWS's flexible pricing model can produce unexpected costs without deliberate tracking.
- Security configurationAccess control, network boundaries, and data encryption configured explicitly per project — AWS provides the tools, but secure configuration is a design responsibility, not a default outcome.
- Multi-region and availability decisionsRedundancy and failover architecture scoped to what the project's actual availability requirements justify, not applied uniformly regardless of need.
Strengths
- Broad managed-service catalogueCovers most infrastructure needs — compute, data, storage, networking — without a team having to build and operate the underlying systems.
- Mature operational toolingWell-established tooling for monitoring, deployment automation, and infrastructure-as-code.
- Elastic scalingInfrastructure that can scale with real demand rather than being fixed to a single provisioned capacity.
- Wide adoptionWhen something breaks, there's usually a documented answer or an engineer who has already seen the exact failure — that operational depth is worth more than a marginally cheaper alternative without it.
Trade-offs & limitations
- Complexity from choiceThe breadth of available services means there are often several viable ways to architect the same system, and a poor choice can add unnecessary operational or cost overhead.
- Cost is not automatically lowerCloud infrastructure, including serverless approaches, is not inherently cheaper than alternatives — cost depends on architecture and usage patterns, and can exceed a simpler setup if not actively managed.
- Security is a shared responsibilityAWS secures the underlying platform, but access control, data handling, and application-level security remain the responsibility of how the system is configured and built.
- Vendor lock-in considerationsDeep use of AWS-specific managed services can make a future migration to another provider more involved than a more portable architecture would allow.
When to use it
- The project needs managed infrastructure without operating physical or self-managed servers
- Traffic or data volume is expected to scale and elastic infrastructure is a genuine advantage
- The team benefits from AWS's breadth of managed services rather than assembling equivalent tooling independently
- Integration with other AWS-hosted systems the client already operates is required
When another option may be more appropriate
- A simpler, smaller-scale hosting setup would meet the project's actual requirements at lower operational overhead
- The client has a strategic or contractual reason to standardise on a different cloud provider
- Data residency or regulatory requirements point to a different provider or on-premises approach
- The project's scale doesn't justify the additional architectural complexity AWS's breadth can introduce
Relevant services
- Custom Software DevelopmentDesign and development of secure, scalable custom software for companies across Sweden and the Nordic region.
- Mobile App DevelopmentProduct-focused mobile application development for iOS and Android, from architecture and UX to release and ongoing evolution.
- AI DevelopmentProduction-oriented AI systems, assistants, RAG platforms and intelligent automation for Nordic businesses.
Relevant industries
- ManufacturingCustom manufacturing software, operational platforms and connected systems for companies modernising production across Sweden and the Nordic region.
- Logistics and MobilityCustom logistics, fleet, mobility and transport software for companies managing complex operations across the Nordic region.
- Climate Tech and EnergySoftware platforms, data systems and digital products for energy, electrification and climate-focused businesses across the Nordic region.
Representative solutions
Alternatives & complementary technologies
- Google Cloud PlatformA comparable managed-cloud alternative, sometimes preferred for specific data or AI/ML tooling, or existing organisational standardisation.
- Microsoft AzureA common choice where an organisation is already standardised on Microsoft's ecosystem (e.g. Active Directory, Microsoft 365 integration).
- Self-managed or on-premises infrastructureAppropriate when regulatory, cost, or control requirements make managed cloud infrastructure a worse fit than direct infrastructure ownership.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Tech Labs an official AWS partner?
No. We use AWS because it's frequently the right technical fit for the systems we build, not because of a partnership, certification, or reseller relationship with Amazon.
Does using AWS guarantee better security or compliance?
No. AWS secures its underlying infrastructure, but application-level security, access control, and regulatory compliance depend on how a system is designed and configured — they are not automatic outcomes of choosing AWS.
Is AWS always the cheaper option?
Not automatically. Cost depends on architecture and usage patterns. A well-scoped AWS setup can be cost-efficient, but a poorly scoped one can cost more than a simpler alternative.
Do you only build on AWS?
No. AWS is our most common choice because it fits most of the projects we take on, but we evaluate other cloud providers or infrastructure approaches when a project's requirements call for it.
Further reading
- CI/CD for Software Teams - Building a Reliable PipelineA practical guide to building a CI/CD pipeline: core stages, canary and blue-green deployments, feature flags, environment parity, and a team maturity model.
- A Practical Framework for Cloud MigrationA technical framework for cloud migration: assessment, the 6 Rs strategy model, sequencing, containerization, cutover, and post-migration cost governance.
- AWS vs. Azure: Choosing a Cloud Platform When Microsoft Ecosystem Fit Is the Real QuestionA grounded comparison of AWS and Azure covering managed services, identity integration, and when Microsoft-ecosystem fit should drive the decision.
Considering AWS for your next project?
Tell us what you're building — we'll confirm whether this is the right technology choice before recommending anything.