Composable architecture: the key to successful scaling

October 30, 2024 | Christophe Lagast, New Business Developer and Arnaud Geyskens, Head of Technology at The Reference

Blog

Last week, we hosted a roundtable lunch event in Brussels, bringing together IT directors, Product Owners, and marketers from leading companies such as TVH, Brussels Airport Company, Fluxys, VM Building Solutions, and Colruyt. The focus of the discussion was on how composable architecture can aid in successful scaling.

Composable architecture is a modern approach to building flexible and adaptable IT systems. It allows businesses to select and assemble various components in a modular fashion, enabling them to adapt to changing business needs and scale effectively.

Three key insights that emerged from the engaging discussions

1. Long-term commitment to composable technology

The transition towards a composable technology is not an overnight process. It is a project that can span multiple years, requiring careful planning, execution, and continuous refinement.

In most cases, companies choose a phased approach, where piece by piece, composable technologies and components are put in place.

2. Avoiding custom code on SAAS technologies

One of the common pitfalls companies fall into is building custom code around their Software as a Service (SAAS) technologies, similar to their old tech stack.

This approach is not future-proof and can lead to complications down the line.

Instead, companies should first select the most appropriate SaaS solution that fit their needs and in case custom code or business logic is still needed, it should be made according to the composable principles, using microservices. This way, they can ensure their tech stack remains adaptable and can evolve with their business needs

3. C-Level buy-in is crucial

The journey towards composable architecture is not just a technical one; it is a business transformation. As such, it is crucial to have C-level executives on board. They play a key role in driving the change, making strategic decisions, and providing the necessary resources.

Therefore, preparing a solid business case that highlights the benefits, costs, and potential ROI of adopting composable architecture is essential to secure their buy-in.

The roundtable event provided a valuable platform for sharing experiences, challenges, and best practices related to composable architecture. It highlighted the importance of this technology in today's rapidly evolving business landscape and how it can help companies scale successfully.

As The Reference, we are committed to facilitating such insightful discussions and helping businesses navigate their digital transformation journeys.

Let's continue the conversation

Which topic do you want to discuss on our next roundtable lunch event? Get in touch with us, we would love to help you face your digital challenges.

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