Aventrek: Technical Deep Dive

This is an overview of the development of a full-stack e-commerce platform designed for industrial parts distribution, emphasizing scalability, security, and performance in constrained environments. As the sole developer, I managed the entire development lifecycle: requirements gathering, system architecture, API integrations, DevOps, security testing, and operational documentation. The platform integrates advanced search, AI-driven support, ERP automation, and robust networking to deliver a seamless experience for industrial clients.

Frontend Architecture

Developed with Next.js 15 (App Router) and TypeScript for type-safe, scalable UI development.
Utilized Tailwind CSS for responsive, mobile-first layouts optimized for industrial field use (e.g., tablets in warehouses).
Implemented Redux Toolkit for global state management, handling complex cart interactions, filter states, and user sessions.
Enhanced SEO with server-side rendering (SSR), dynamic meta/open graph tags, and structured data for better indexing by search engines.
Optimized performance with lazy-loaded components, image optimization, and Next.js static generation for key pages.

Backend and Database

The backend leverages Django REST Framework with PostgreSQL for transactional integrity and structured data storage. A polyglot persistence model integrates a Node.js + Express microservice with MongoDB for high-speed, unstructured part searches.

Key implementations include:

Custom API endpoints for real-time vendor data fetching (e.g., DigiKey, Mouser) using OAuth 2.0 and JSON parsing for live pricing and lead times.
Database indexing on frequently queried fields (e.g., part numbers, categories) to optimize search and filter performance.
Integration with Amazon SES for automated transactional emails (order confirmations, status updates).
Secure payment processing via Stripe, with server-side checkout session management and frontend Stripe Elements integration to ensure PCI compliance.

ERP Integration

Deployed ERPNext in a Docker container, integrated with the Django backend to automate customer onboarding and order processing.
Developed REST API endpoints to sync orders, customer data, and statuses between the e-commerce platform and ERPNext.
Enabled real-time order status updates on the frontend’s orders page, improving customer transparency.
Resilient design employing the Requests library to initiate retries if subsequent API calls fail
Configured with a zero-trust architecture utilizing role based permissions with provided API keys

Deployment and DevOps

Deployed services using Docker Compose on a Raspberry Pi 5 for resource-efficient hosting.
Utilized Cloudflare Tunnel for secure external access with automatic SSL and DDoS protection.
Orchestrated containers with a lightweight Kubernetes setup for scalability and failover.
Created SOPs for incident response, system upgrades, and backup procedures, with cronjobs for automated database and file backups.

Network and Security

The platform is secured with a robust network and application security stack, ensuring reliability in industrial environments.

Configured a Protectli device running an image of pfSense with Suricata for intrusion detection and prevention.
Implemented VLANs to segregate traffic (e.g., management, guest, application) for enhanced security and performance.
Hardened a Raspberry Pi 5 running Ubuntu Bookworm, with UFW, Fail2Ban, and restricted to RSA only SSH access.
Conducted penetration testing using Kali Linux tools (e.g., Nmap, Burp Suite) to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Currently aligning network and system configurations with NIST SP 800-171 (CUI) security standards as part of ongoing compliance efforts.

AI and Vendor Integrations

The platform leverages external APIs to enhance functionality and user experience.

Implemented OpenAI API via Django for product compatibility checks and part selection guidance.
Connected to vendor APIs (e.g., DigiKey) for real-time pricing, availability, and lead time updates.
Integrated UPS API for real-time shipping quotes.

Performance and Optimization

Applied database indexing on PostgreSQL to optimize query performance for large SKU datasets.
Unified and well-structured taxonomy to ensure consistency across all systems.
Added a dynamic sitemap that retrieves and lists static URLs for all parts
Migrated hardware to run OS and all storage on a SSD via SATA 2.5 to improve throughput and reliability
Leveraged Next.js SSR and incremental static regeneration for SEO and fast page loads.

Why It Matters

This platform addresses critical gaps in industrial e-commerce by providing a secure, scalable, and user-friendly solution for part procurement and support. It empowers non-technical users with AI-driven tools, ensures real-time data accuracy via vendor integrations, and operates reliably in resource-constrained environments. The combination of modern web technologies, robust networking, and ERP automation makes it a versatile solution for industrial clients.

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