Platform Technologies

Summary

The script explores the concept of platform technologies, illustrating how they enable the creation of diverse products and services through abstraction and bundling of components. It uses examples like the App Store, eBay, and LEGO to explain the two-tiered system architecture, where a foundational layer supports a platform layer that offers services via APIs. The script further delves into how this model fosters innovation, user engagement, and system flexibility, emphasizing the importance of platform technologies in today's advanced industrial economies.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The rise of the internet has led to the emergence of platform technologies, which are foundational to many modern services like the App Store and eBay.
• 🏭 The concept of platform model systems architecture is not new, dating back to the invention of farms, factories, and even LEGO building blocks.
• 🤖 People often overlook the complex systems behind technologies, focusing only on the end-user capabilities.
• 🔄 Advanced industrial economies rely on abstraction, where products and services are built upon platform technologies that allow for endless remixing of components.
• 🏦 The differentiation between services like banks often comes down to how they bundle and market platform-provided technologies rather than the technology itself.
• 🔑 Platform technology is defined as a foundational structure that enables the creation of various products without the need for new processes.
• 🔩 A platform technology system has two levels: a platform providing basic services and an application layer that configures these services for end-users.
• 🔧 Examples of platform technologies include hammers and cars, which are singular instances, versus an automobile platform that allows for various vehicle configurations.
• 💻 The personal computer is a clear example of platform technology, with the operating system acting as the platform layer and hardware as the foundation.
• 🏗️ The platform layer in systems architecture provides Lego-like building blocks to the application layer through APIs, allowing for diverse configurations.
• 🔑 The user interface layer translates the system's internal logic into a user-friendly language, ensuring ease of use and engagement for end-users.

Q & A

What is the significance of platform technologies in modern economies?

Platform technologies play a significant role in modern economies by enabling the creation of various products and services through the power of abstraction. They allow for the bundling of different components to cater to diverse customer needs, thus driving innovation and growth.

How do platforms like the App Store or eBay exemplify the platform model?

Platforms such as the App Store or eBay exemplify the platform model by providing a dynamic and innovative service that allows for the creation of various applications or transactions without the need for each individual to develop their own technology from scratch.

What is the difference between a homogeneous system like a hammer and a platform technology?

A homogeneous system like a hammer is a single instance of technology with no differentiation between its infrastructure and application. In contrast, platform technology, such as an automobile platform, allows for the creation of multiple configurations and products using a common base.

Can you explain the two fundamental levels required for a platform technology system?

A platform technology system requires two fundamental levels: a platform that provides basic services and an application layer that combines these services into various configurations to deliver technology to end-users.

What is the role of the foundation layer in a platform technology system?

The foundation layer in a platform technology system serves as the base upon which the platform operates. It includes the hardware and low-level firmware that interfaces with the operating system, providing the necessary resources and services for the platform to function.

How does the application layer interact with the platform layer in a platform technology system?

The application layer interacts with the platform layer by utilizing the services provided by the platform through APIs (Application Program Interfaces). Developers on this layer bundle these services to create finished applications for end-users.

Why is the user interface layer important in a platform technology system?

The user interface layer is crucial as it translates the internal logic of the system into a language that end-users understand, allowing them to interact with the system with minimal effort and complexity.

What is meant by the 'amplification effect' in the context of platform technologies?

The 'amplification effect' refers to the increase in the number of users or developers as we move up the levels of abstraction in a platform technology system. It signifies that there will be more application developers than platform developers, and more end-users than application developers, due to the ease of engagement and reduced complexity.

What are the benefits of using a platform model for systems architecture?

Using a platform model for systems architecture benefits include abstracting away complexity, avoiding redundancies by providing common services, enabling user-generated systems, and creating flexible, adaptive, and evolutionary systems that can innovate and regenerate on the application level.

How does the platform model of systems architecture apply to industries beyond IT?

The platform model of systems architecture is not limited to IT; it is a generic model that can be applied to the design of all complex engineered systems, providing a core infrastructure of common services and components that can be configured in various ways for different applications.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 The Rise of Platform Technologies

This paragraph discusses the evolution of platform technologies, highlighting how they have become integral to modern services like the App Store and eBay. It explains that these platforms are built on the concept of abstraction, allowing for endless combinations of components to create diverse products and services. The paragraph contrasts platform technologies with homogeneous systems like a hammer or a car, which cannot be reconfigured. It uses the example of a car platform to illustrate how a common base can support various models. The concept of a platform is further explored through the analogy of personal computers, where the operating system serves as the platform layer, abstracting the hardware and providing a foundation for application development. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of understanding the different levels of abstraction in platform technologies, from the foundational hardware to the application layer, and the role of APIs in enabling this interaction.

05:02

🛠️ The Architecture of Platform Technologies

The second paragraph delves into the architecture of platform technologies, focusing on the user interface layer that translates complex system logic into a user-friendly experience. It discusses the concept of a 'solution stack,' which encompasses the various subsystems and layers of abstraction necessary for a platform to function fully without external dependencies. The paragraph explains how each level of abstraction simplifies complexity and reduces the engagement required from users or producers, leading to an amplification effect as one moves up the stack. This effect results in a larger number of application developers compared to platform developers and, in turn, even more end-users. The benefits of platform architecture are outlined, including the ability to abstract complexity, avoid redundancies, enable user-generated systems, and promote agility and innovation. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the relevance of this model to the design of all complex engineered systems, not just those in the IT sector.

Keywords

💡Platform Technology

Platform technology refers to a foundational structure or technology that serves as a base for creating various products or services without the need for a new process introduction. In the context of the video, platform technologies are likened to the underlying systems that enable the creation of diverse applications or services by different entities, such as banks using technology from providers like IBM and Visa. The video emphasizes how platform technologies facilitate innovation by providing a common base upon which various applications can be built and customized.

💡Abstraction

Abstraction in the video script pertains to the concept of hiding the complexity of a system, allowing users or developers to interact with it at a higher, simplified level. It is crucial in platform technologies as it enables the bundling of different components into a cohesive service or product. The video explains that advanced industrial economies rely heavily on the power of abstraction, where products and services are built upon platforms that abstract away the underlying complexity, making it easier for end-users to utilize technology without needing to understand its intricacies.

💡Infrastructure

Infrastructure, as mentioned in the script, is the physical and organizational framework that supports the operation of a society or enterprise. It includes both the physical hardware and the services that underpin the functioning of a platform. In the video, the computer hardware and low-level firmware are cited as the infrastructure layer that supports the operating system, which in turn is part of the platform technology. The infrastructure is essential as it provides the foundational capabilities upon which the platform and applications are built.

💡Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

APIs are sets of rules and protocols for building and interacting with software applications. They allow different software systems to communicate with each other. In the video, APIs are described as the means through which the platform layer presents resources to producers on the application level. They are the 'Lego bricks' that developers use to build applications, abstracting away the underlying complexity and allowing developers to focus on creating user-facing features and services.

💡Application Layer

The application layer is the topmost level of a platform technology where developers create specific applications or services that end-users interact with directly. The video uses examples like apps in the App Store, cars coming off a production line, or financial products offered by banks to illustrate how the application layer utilizes the services provided by the platform layer to deliver finished products to the end-user. This layer is where the platform's capabilities are tailored to meet the specific needs and feedback of the end-users.

💡User Interface Layer

The user interface layer is the point of interaction between the end-user and the system. It translates the system's internal logic into a format that is understandable and navigable for the user. The video explains that this layer is crucial for making the system's functionality accessible with minimal effort from the user's perspective. Examples given include the dashboard of a car or a hospital receptionist guiding visitors, emphasizing how this layer simplifies the interaction with the system for the end-user.

💡Amplification Effect

The amplification effect in the context of the video refers to the increased ease of engagement and the ability to do more with less input as one moves up the levels of abstraction in a platform technology. This effect is a result of the platform architecture, which allows for more application developers than operating system developers, and even more end-users than application developers. The video highlights how this effect is beneficial for maintaining an agile core system and for building flexible, adaptive systems.

💡End-User

The end-user is the person who ultimately uses the product or service provided by the platform technology. The video script discusses how the platform architecture is designed to simplify the complexity for the end-user, allowing them to interact with the system with minimal effort and knowledge of the underlying technology. The focus is on delivering maximum functionality in a user-friendly manner, as illustrated by the example of a computer user expecting to see files and menus rather than code.

💡Common Services

Common services are the shared functionalities provided by the platform that can be utilized by various components or applications within the system. The video explains that by providing these services at the platform level, redundancies are avoided, and each component on the application layer doesn't need to reinvent the wheel. This concept is central to the efficiency and innovation enabled by platform technologies, as it allows for a shared infrastructure that supports diverse applications.

💡Evolutionary Systems

Evolutionary systems, as discussed in the video, are systems designed to adapt and innovate over time. The platform architecture is highlighted as ideal for building such systems because it allows for continuous innovation on the application level while maintaining a stable core infrastructure. This capability is crucial for staying competitive and relevant in a dynamic environment, as it enables the system to regenerate and improve without being constrained by fixed instances.

Highlights

The rise of internet platforms has made technology a central part of modern innovation.

Platforms like App Store and eBay exemplify dynamic, innovative, and fast-growing services.

Platform model's two systems architecture has historical roots in industries like farming and manufacturing.

Advanced industrial economies rely on the power of abstraction for product and service creation.

Products and services are often remixes built from platform services, allowing for endless bundling.

The differentiation between banks often lies in the technology they purchase and how they bundle it.

Platform technology is defined as a base from which various products can emerge without new process introduction.

A platform must have two levels: a foundational layer and an application layer for service delivery.

An example of a non-platform technology is a hammer, which is a homogeneous system without differentiation.

An automobile platform allows for the creation of various vehicles from a common chassis.

Personal computers are a clear example of platform technologies with operating systems as the platform layer.

The foundation layer in technology is akin to hardware and firmware in computers, providing a base for the platform.

In business, the foundation layer might include economic systems and public services that enable operations.

The platform layer manages resources and services required by applications, providing 'Lego bricks' for building.

APIs or application program interfaces allow the application layer to access platform services.

The application layer is where developers create finished applications by bundling platform services.

The user interface layer translates system functionality into a language understandable by end-users.

The platform model simplifies complexity and amplifies the ease of engagement as we move up the solution stack.

Platform technologies are beneficial for creating flexible, adaptive, and evolutionary systems.

The platform model allows for innovation on the application level, regenerating the system continuously.

Transcripts

Oh

during the past few decades with the

rise of the internet platform

technologies have become the new cool

platforms like the App Store or eBay

have proven to be some of the most

dynamic innovative and fastest-growing

services but of course the platform

model two systems architecture has

always been there since the invention of

farms and factories to the making of

LEGO building blocks

when many people see a new technology at

work they don't usually consider all the

pieces that went into its creation

they simply see the amazing capabilities

and never give it much thought but

within advanced industrial economies

many products and services are enabled

by the power of abstraction

they are remixes built out of services

from platforms that enable the endless

bundling Andry bundling of different

components

so what is the difference between Bank

ABC at one end of your street and Bank

XYZ at the other not much really

they're both buying their technology

from a handful of platform technology

providers like IBM and Visa and bundling

the components in different ways to

appeal to different customers

according to our friend Wikipedia a

platform technology can be defined as a

structure or technology from which

various products can emerge without the

expense of a new process introduction in

order to achieve this our system needs

to be architected to have two

fundamentally different levels that is

it must have a platform providing the

basic services that can be combined into

different configurations on the

application layer to deliver various

instances of the technology to the

end-user but let's start by thinking

about what exactly an on platform

technology is take a hammer for example

it is a homogeneous system there is no

differentiation between the system's

infrastructure and its application they

are all just one thing it is an instance

of a hammer it cannot generate new and

different configurations of itself the

same can be said of a car it is an

instance of a technology the end-user

gets and uses the whole thing

to make the comparison clearer we could

compare the instance of a car with an

automobile platform that allows a motor

company to release several vehicles

built upon a common chassis which is the

platform with different engines

interiors and form factors for the same

or different vehicles and brands within

the company probably the clearest and

best example of platform technologies

are personal computers so let's spend

some time taking one of these computers

to pieces to better understand the

different level of abstraction to a

platform technology our platform in this

case is the computer's operating system

but before we can get to the platform

that's doing all the great work we need

a foundation for it to sit on that is a

set of enabling technologies in this

case our foundation layer is our

computer hardware and all our low-level

firmware that interfaces between it and

the operating system but within a

business our foundation layer might be

the economic system it is part of the

public services such as security rule of

law and maintenance of natural resources

that would enable our business to

function the same would be true of a

city it rests upon and is enabled by a

national infrastructure system the next

layer up from the foundations or

hardware is the platform itself the

computer's operating system in this case

it essentially manages the computer's

resources and services that will be

required by applications the platform

takes the resources available to it from

the infrastructure and creates the Lego

bricks that we will be using to build

things with these resources are

presented to producers on the

application level through what are

called api's or application program

interfaces

in our automotive factory the platform

would be the physical technologies in

the production line for creating the

cars parts our employees can rearrange

this production line to create different

vehicles or in our example of the city

this platform level might be the urban

utilities that contractors will

interface with to build offices and

residential spaces and there will be a

standard set of procedures for them to

do this

on top of the operating system lies the

application layer developers draw on the

services provided by the operating

system and bundle them in various

different combinations to deliver a

finished application to the end-user

apps in the App Store the car is coming

off our production line the buildings in

a city or the financial products offered

by a bank are examples of the

application layer endless configuration

and reconfigurations in response to the

perceived needs and feedback of the

end-users

lastly the user interface layer when the

end-user switches on their computer they

don't want to see zeros and ones or

lines of code they want to see things

they understand pictures of files and

nice drop-down menus the majority of

people who interface with the systems we

are architecting will do so so as to get

the maximum functionality out with the

minimum input of effort in order for

them to do this we need a layer that

translates the internal logic of the

system into a language they understand

this interface might be the dashboard on

our car or the receptionist in our

Hospital telling people where to go

whatever it is it is all about the

end-user the language they speak what

they need and how to translate the

systems functionality into a solution

that involves the participation of the

end-user so there we have it if we were

to continue with our analogy from the

world of IT we might call this a

solution stack the full set of

subsystems and layers of abstraction to

provide the platform's full

functionality without dependencies

an important thing to note is that as we

go up each level of abstraction towards

the end-user we are simplifying the

complexity and level of engagement

required those working on the platform

level require a deep understanding of

the system and have to deal with its

full complexity but are relatively

unconstrained those who engage with the

system who are on the application and

user level are constrained by what the

platform providers have designed but

being enabled by this technology they

will be able to do more with less input

and engagement

the net result is that we should get an

amplification effect as we go up the

solution stack due to the increased ease

of engagement thus there will be many

more application developers than there

are operations systems developers and

there will in turn the many more

end-users than there are application

developers and this should be the case

wherever we are using this platform

model to systems architecture

so lastly we might ask why should we

care about platform technologies well

there are a number of reasons this

architecture should be of benefit to us

firstly by distributing the system

across multiple layers we can abstract

away the complexity that users or

producers of the service have to deal

with everything gets its own space

secondly we can avoid redundancies by

having the platform provide common

services required by all components we

can reduce the need for each component

on the application layer to reinvent the

wheel thirdly platforms are the ideal

architecture for creating user generated

systems thus we can leverage the

amplification effect we discussed

earlier to do more with less helping to

maintain an agile core system

and lastly the platform architecture is

ideal for building flexible adaptive and

evolutionary systems given its

independence from fixed instances the

system can stay innovating on the

application level to continue

regenerating itself in this section we

have discussed the platform approach to

systems architecture that is centered

around the idea of creating a core

infrastructure of common services and

components which can then be bundled

into different configurations on the

application level we also looked at the

different levels of abstraction and

their primary features although drawing

heavily on analogies from the world of

IT this same model is sufficiently

generic to be relevant to the design of

all complex engineered systems

you