6 Reasons Behind the Rise of Platform Engineering

Platform engineering is a discipline that addresses organizations’ need to expedite developing and managing cloud-native applications. This focus on internal development involves creating “Golden Pathways” to save time and encourage creativity.

The ascent of platform engineering provides companies with unparalleled opportunities for swift reinvention and value creation. Platform-centered business models seamlessly connect users, cultivating customer loyalty. These platforms expedite service launches and enterprise scaling, utilizing adaptable models. The foundation of this paradigm shift lies in evolving technology, particularly the Cloud, activating opportunities across data, AI, and Edge technologies. This synergy propels continuous innovation.

Why Gartner Recommends Platform Engineering

In this dynamic landscape, modern, ecosystem-oriented platforms emerge as key players, facilitating the integration of emerging technologies and forming new partnerships. This expansion broadens possibilities, empowering companies to explore innovative avenues and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving business environment.

These interconnected and technologically advanced platforms actively mark the journey into the future of business, exerting a transformative influence.

The Gartner Hype Cycle for Software Engineering, 2023 predicts that transformational technologies such as AI-augmented software engineering (AIASE), AI coding assistants, and platform engineering will achieve mainstream adoption within 2-5 years.

This dynamic and strategic response to the challenges of our interconnected world is reshaping how businesses approach software delivery, digital transformation, and overall operational efficiency.

The Core Tenets of Platform Engineering

Platform engineering, an evolution of DevOps, enables larger organizations by establishing standards, promoting reusable configurations, and providing systems engineering as an internal product capability. In larger organizations, implementing platform engineering may involve a distinct role for platform engineers, separated from application developers, to deliver DevOps-as-a-Product.

Platform engineering is a multifaceted approach that involves developing, maintaining, and optimizing platforms, facilitating seamless technology integration. Platform engineering operates on several core tenets that guide its principles and practices in software development and systems management.

These fundamental principles include:

• Agility and Flexibility: Platform engineering emphasizes adapting quickly to changing requirements and technologies.
• Automation: A cornerstone of platform engineering is automating repetitive tasks and processes.
• Golden Pathways: Creating standardized and optimized development pathways, known as “Golden Pathways,” is crucial.
• Scalability: Platforms must be designed to scale seamlessly as demands grow.
• Self-Service Capabilities: Empowering developers through self-service capabilities is a key tenet.
• Security: Security is paramount in platform engineering. Implementing robust security measures protects data, applications, and infrastructure.
• Interoperability: Platforms should be designed with interoperability, allowing seamless integration with various tools, technologies, and third-party services.

Unveiling the Top 6 Reasons Behind the Surge of Platform Engineering

As per a survey report, platform engineering is gaining momentum in IT organizations, with 83% of respondents already implementing it. Given that developers dedicate only 12.5% to 30% of their weekly time to coding, the prominence of platform engineering has surged as a pivotal factor in enhancing the overall developer experience.

The surge in platform engineering is due to several compelling factors. Firstly, the escalating demand for cloud-native applications has prompted organizations to embrace platform engineering as a crucial sociotechnical discipline. The need for swift development and efficient management of such applications necessitates specialized focus.

Here are the top 6 reasons behind the surge in the adoption of platform engineering:

1. Modernizing Enterprise Software Delivery
   Platform engineering is a response to the pressing need for modernizing enterprise software delivery, especially in the context of digital transformation. Dedicated product teams craft and maintain engineering platforms to support software developers and other stakeholders by offering standard, reusable tools and capabilities.
2. Interconnected Ecosystems
   Platform engineering provides the framework for creating and maintaining cohesive technological ecosystems in the era of interconnected devices and systems. This fosters collaboration and synergy among different components, facilitating seamless integration.
3. Agility and Adaptability
   The rapid pace of the tech industry necessitates agility and adaptability. Platforms engineered with flexibility in mind enable organizations to pivot swiftly in response to market trends, regulatory changes, or unforeseen disruptions, ensuring resilience in the face of uncertainty.
4. Optimizing Resources
   Platform engineering streamlines resource utilization by creating a centralized infrastructure. This consolidation reduces redundancy and enhances operational scalability, providing businesses with the foundation to grow and evolve efficiently.
5. Enhanced Customer Experience
   A well-engineered platform translates to a superior customer experience. By integrating and optimizing technologies, businesses can deliver seamless, personalized interactions, fostering customer satisfaction and loyalty.
6. Risk Mitigation
   Platform engineering serves as a robust risk mitigation strategy. Standardized and secure platforms minimize the potential impact of security breaches, data loss, or system failures, bolstering the overall resilience of the technological infrastructure.

Gartner’s Prediction on Platform Engineering

Gartner predicts that by 2026, 80% of software engineering organizations will establish platform teams as internal providers of reusable services, components, and tools for application delivery.

The year 2024 holds more promise for platform engineering. The swift rise in platform engineering adoption, combined with the remarkable advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLM), and natural language chat interfaces, unveils immense potential for organizations constructing an Integrated Development Platform (IDP).

At Cigniti, platform engineering is a cornerstone, driving innovation and excellence in our solutions.

We prioritize cutting-edge methodologies, leveraging the latest technologies to build platforms that seamlessly integrate, scale effortlessly, and deliver unparalleled performance. Our state-of-the-art platform engineering services include – Data Lifecycle Management, Data Mesh Solutions, Data Pipeline Development, Data Lake/Lakehouse on DataBricks, and Cloud Data Warehouse in Snowflake.

With a focus on scalability, flexibility, and reliability, our platform engineering ethos ensures that our clients receive transformative solutions ready to overcome the challenges of dynamic landscapes. Learn more about Cigniti’s Software Product & Platform Engineering.