There it is again... platform thinking — that magical corporate buzzword that promises to transform your business into the next Amazon while you're still figuring out why your email server crashes every Tuesday. Let's discuss how actual market leaders build scalable digital ecosystems without setting their entire infrastructure on fire.
Beyond internal operations (because hoarding data is so 2010)
Most companies treat their APIs like family recipes — closely guarded secrets that die with the founder. Market leaders recognize that opening up creates revenue streams through partner ecosystems and marketplace models.
WWT's approach: Our Advanced Technology Center provides a collaborative environment where partners and customers can test and validate API integrations, ensuring seamless connectivity and new revenue opportunities.
Action needed: Start small. Pick one non-critical service and create a public API. Monitor usage, gather feedback and iterate. Netflix started by letting developers access movie ratings before conquering entertainment.
Cloud architecture: the Goldilocks problem
Choosing a cloud architecture that's scalable, secure and cost-effective while playing nice with legacy systems is like renovating a house while living in it. The temptation is to rip everything out and start fresh, but that's how you end up with a six-month "quick migration" that costs more than your annual revenue.
WWT's solution: We embrace hybrid cloud strategies, helping organizations migrate non-critical workloads first, establish integration patterns, then tackle mission-critical systems. Our partnerships with AWS and Microsoft Azure ensure efficient, cost-effective cloud journeys.
Legacy integration: Archaeological excellence
The dirty secret of platform thinking is that your shiny new ecosystem must communicate with that COBOL system from 1987 that nobody understands but everyone's afraid to touch.
WWT's expertise: We specialize in building API wrappers around legacy systems, creating translation layers that speak both ancient COBOL and modern REST. This provides immediate integration capabilities while allowing time for proper modernization.
Technology stack decisions: Playing the long game
Here's where most companies trip spectacularly — choosing vendors based on feature checklists rather than strategic alignment. That cool startup with the amazing demo might not exist next year, leaving you with unsupported code and expensive consultants.
WWT's strategic approach: We evaluate vendors like choosing a long-term partner, considering financial stability, roadmap alignment and support ecosystems. Our partnerships with established technology leaders ensure reliable, scalable solutions.
Key principle: Sometimes the "boring" enterprise solution is boring for good reason — it works reliably at scale.
Platform thinking. It isn't about revolutionary transformation; it's about evolutionary intelligence. Simple, right? But simple is hard. With WWT's expertise, organizations can navigate platform complexities and build robust digital ecosystems that drive growth and innovation.
Next week: The human equation — turns out your workforce does have unprompted opinions.
