To build your tech stack with a Composable architecture you create an ecosystem of individual systems sharing their data via APIs. This modular setup enables a business to rearrange and reorient as needed, depending on external or internal factors like a shift in customer values or a sudden change in supply chain or materials - but there are complications to consider.
Read our Quick guide to understanding Composable architecture if you need to learn more on this topic
Here are the potential complications you could face when you switch to a Composable architecture
While switching to composable offers you the major benefit of making your data highly available in various APIs and ready to be consumed by developers, it also means that all your data spread out over various APIs, in different formats, and in shifting scalability for your developers to handle, interpret and combine.
This Enterprise data from systems such as your PIM, DAM, ERP, etc. is often locked into silos where it has its structure and format, and this can quickly become an issue for going Composable. Each system has its own way of exposing its data and it is very rarely scaled and usable for servicing front-end experiences in a Composable setup.
Here's how an Experience Data Platform can make your life much easier
An Experience Data Platform (XDP) sits like a layer over the top of all your data sources and unifies your data assets without the need for costly and time-consuming integration projects, while at the same time collecting new data from your digital destinations.
For a deeper understanding, read more here: What is an Experience Data Platform?
With an Experience Data Platform (XDP), when you want to start replacing parts of your tech stack, you simply change that one component and onboard that new data set to the XDP. The rest of your data is already there and your digital experiences have next to zero disruption. This means your customer-facing applications can still run smoothly as you continue to swap the rest of the components in your stack at your own pace.
By starting your Composable Architecture journey with an XDP you can quickly reap the benefits of Composability in the customer-facing layer (where it adds the most value), while you set yourself up for less risk as you continue to swap the rest of the components in your stack.
5 reasons an XDP should be the first investment in your Composable tech
- Easily unify data and content from separate systems. This will enable you to make the best use of the data you already have and persist it in the XDP as you continue the transition
- Leap frog into a state where you quickly can innovate your customer facing experiences
- Lower integration complexity, integration costs, and TCO when having the XDP in place before swapping the rest of your systems
- Swap each individual backend system without disrupting your customer facing experiences to not potentially disturb your revenue streams
- Significantly reduce your risk as you transform the rest of your stack at the pace suitable for your business
With Occtoo's Experience Data Platform, digital leaders at companies such as Cartier, Fjällräven, and Nordic Nest have been able to deploy 4x more initiatives from their CX roadmap, re-use data across their digital experiences, and spend less time and money on integration and more on customer innovation.
Occtoo is the first MACH Alliance member in the Data layer - Bringing capabilities to create a relevant customer experience everywhere.
Further reading: Why adding data to Occtoo’s Experience Data Platform is a breeze