Experieco Business Speed Series
Experieco is has produced a series of five insight papers into how application development and integration have dramatically changed with modern application development platforms and iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) technologies.
1. Economics of developing custom software
2. PACE layered application model
3. OutSystems and Workato: Powerful together
4. Business uses for OutSystems and Workato
5. From “doing” digital to “being” digital
The Economics of Developing Custom Software
Traditional (high code) custom application development is complex, slow, expensive and ‘’corrodes’’ over time, increasing technical debt and leading to a high total cost of ownership (TCO). The economics of this paradigm are such that only the most urgent, highest value, critical business needs justify custom software development.
Even when it was justified, applications built are invariably less flexible and unable to adapt to business changes. Even worse, they often need to be replaced within 10-15 years, with the journey starting over again.
Luckily, the economics and speed of developing custom software has radically changed.
Cloud native custom apps are becoming faster to build when harnessing pre-built micro-services, but the radical speed change comes from using modern application development platforms. Custom software is faster and easier to build with these new technologies compared to traditional development. In many cases, it's 2-3 times faster.
Complementing the radical speed advantages of application development platforms, using new generation 3.0 Integration Platforms (iPaaS) can additionally deliver between 30-100% increased productivity versus traditional Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) platforms.
These low code platforms enable the automation of many development and operations tasks and support custom code extensions, making them suitable for building applications ranging from simple departmental applications to highly complex enterprise-wide solutions, without limits.
Since the technology layer is separated from the applications model, the underlying technology can evolve. Technical debt lowers while the speed of development and deployment increases. Businesses save on development costs and total cost of ownership (TCO) plus increase their agility to respond to change.
Because the economics have changed, enterprises must re-evaluate the role custom and modern application development platforms play in their organisations. It is in their best interests tactically and strategically to use software that gives a sustainable competitive advantage and serves the long-term goals of a digital business.
With modern application development platforms like OutSystems and integration platforms like Workato, the productivity gain and TCO cost reductions means organisations can implement more business requirements in existing systems or whole new applications, driving increased value for the organisation.
They enable new digital ways of working, such as customer self service via portals and increased mobile engagement with customers and field forces. They enable augmentation of back-end systems to provide automation of tasks and differentiated capability to increase competitive advantage.
Understanding the Digital Application Battlefield
SaaS:
Great when there's a high fit to business requirements. Typically low initial capital cost and rapid implementation. PACE considerations (refer Insight paper 2): Great for Systems of Record or operational systems not directly associated to delivery of differentiated services. May have high technical debt over the long term if over-customised.
Modern application development platform:
Faster and easier to build custom software/apps to meet exact business requirements. Covers a broad spectrum of department to enterprise use cases. Evergreen underlying technology upgrades reduces future technical debt. PACE considerations (refer to Insight paper 2): Great for Systems of Differentiation and Innovation to complement Systems of Record.
Cloud custom development:
Leveraging cloud services increases productivity compared with traditional development. High degree of complexity for build, deploy and run. Higher technical skills required. May have high maintenance/technical debt over the long term. PACE considerations (refer to insight paper 2): Great for Systems of Differentiation and Innovation for some native mobile designs and/or smaller web applications where enough efficiencies of low-code platform may not be realised.
Leading organisations harnessing modern application development and integration platforms are already producing discernible business advantages with their ability to build and maintain a competitive edge in a digitally led world.
We can help you understand what these changing economics and technology approaches can mean for your organisation in achieving your strategic objectives.
What’s the right application development and integration approach for your organisation?
"It’s not the BIG that eat the small… it’s the fast beating the slow."
– Jason Jennings & Laurence Haughton
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Experieco has produced a series of five insight papers examining how application development and integration has dramatically changed to support the increasing need for agile change.
Experieco Advisory and Development Services
Experieco offers both advisory and development services. We help your business understand the short-term tactical and long-term strategic benefits of modern application development and integration technologies. We design and develop solutions using the best technology approach for you.
Our specialised technical experience can help your organisation gain rapid insight and traction. Talk to our team and we will help you realise the possibilities for your business.