Going platformless to transform enterprise software engineering

Transforming Enterprise Software: The Power of a Platformless Approach

Mr. Sanjiva Weerawarana, Founder & CEO of WSO2, discussed a transformative approach for enterprises: focusing on building digital experiences rather than constructing their own underlying platforms. He emphasized that every business needs a distinct strategy for its digital presence, moving beyond generic platform development to create unique customer interactions. This shift is crucial for competitive advantage in today’s digital landscape.

He referenced an article outlining six key characteristics for companies to evolve into effective software entities. These include cultivating a strong software culture, empowering product managers to drive development, and establishing high-quality systems. Additionally, businesses must adopt flexible technology options and foster an ecosystem that is inherently software-based, rather than relying on traditional built-in solutions. This enables greater agility and innovation.

The speaker highlighted that the focus should be on the product itself, not just the infrastructure. He used Uber as an example of a company that is fundamentally software-driven. The ability to leverage both external and internal capabilities is vital. Furthermore, a robust market for all software components is essential, allowing companies to concentrate on developing exceptional products with flexible business models and a clear purpose.

Mr. Weerawarana pointed out that technical teams often dedicate excessive time to building foundational platforms instead of concentrating on applications and business tools. He drew an analogy to the past complexities of setting up web servers and databases, which are now streamlined by services like Google Workspace. This historical context illustrates the evolution towards more efficient development paradigms.

The modern “platformless” approach advocates for consuming platforms as a service, freeing companies to focus on their core application logic. This means leveraging existing, world-class toolsets and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions, rather than undertaking extensive in-house infrastructure development. SaaS offerings, like those from Google and Microsoft, exemplify this trend, allowing businesses to concentrate on value creation.

Ultimately, the goal is to deliver world-class products by utilizing readily available, high-quality platforms and tools. This approach empowers developers to work on innovative application features, rather than getting bogged down in infrastructure or policy details. The emphasis remains on ensuring a superior customer experience and driving business value through strategic software development, making the underlying platform concerns largely irrelevant to the end-user.