Platform Technologies: An Introduction

Introduction to Platform Technologies

• Platform technologies have become the design paradigm of choice due to the rise of IT and the complexity of the technology landscape.
• The platform model emerged with the development of personal computers, where operating system providers created platforms for software developers.
• The platform model has come of age due to the widespread use of the internet, with Internet companies defining their solutions as platforms.

What is a Platform?

• A platform refers to a foundational technology or environment which enables the development, deployment, and operation of software applications and services in IT.
• It is a base for building, developing, and running applications, processes, or technologies, providing tools, frameworks, and infrastructure.
• A platform constitutes the basic foundation upon which any application or software is supported and/or developed.
• Platforms encompass various components, including hardware, software, and services and enables scalability innovation, and interoperability in the digital landscape.

Defining Technology

• Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes or applications.
• It uses knowledge, tools, and systems to solve problems, improve efficiency, connect people, shape communities, and simplifies daily life.
• Technology applies scientific principles to change the environment in which humans live.
• Technology enhances innovation, efficiency, collaboration, and user experience, leading to better products and services.

Platform Technology

• The Application of scientific knowledge to create, develop and deploy applications, tools or services using different hardware, software and cloud computing technology - it changes the environment in which humans live.
• Platform technology is a toolset used to build, modify, maintain, and monitor services and products in the digital or cyber world.
• Wikipedia defines platform technology as a structure or technology that allows products evolve without new processes.
• Established platforms can support the creation of various solutions and embraced easily within organizations.
• For example, developers can use the Microsoft .NET software development platform to create various applications using the same tools and underlying technology.

History of Platform Technology

• Early Computing (1960s): Platforms began with mainframe computers, where systems like IBM's OS/360 provided a foundation for applications accessed through terminals.
• Personal Computing (1970s-1980s): Personal computers like the Apple II and IBM PC led to operating systems (DOS, Macintosh, Windows) for software application development, with user-friendly interfaces.
• Rise of the Internet (1990s): The World Wide Web led to web-based platforms, HTML, JavaScript, and web servers enabled dynamic websites and applications.
• Rise of the Internet (1990s): E-commerce Platforms like Amazon (founded in 1994) and eBay (founded in 1995) emerged which allowed businesses and consumers to interact online.
• Mobile Revolution (2000s): The iPhone launch in 2007 and the rise of Android revolutionized mobile computing while App markets(like Google Play & Apple App Store) became platforms for app distribution.
• Mobile Revolution (2000s): Social media platforms like Facebook (founded in 2004) and X (Twitter, founded in 2006) created ecosystems for user-generated content and social interaction via smartphones.
• Cloud Computing (2010s): The emergence of cloud computing transformed platform technologies.
• Cloud Computing (2010s): Services like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform offered scalable infrastructure and tools for developers.
• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) allowed different software systems to communicate, enabling applications and services interconnection.
• Current Trends (2020s): Web3 and Blockchain technology have introduced decentralized platforms using blockchain and emphasize user control and transparency.
• Current Trends (2020s): AI platforms, like OpenAI's GPT models, are integral to applications, enabling advanced capabilities for automation and natural language processing.
• Current Trends (2020s): Tailored cloud solutions for healthcare, finance, and manufacturing industries have appeared, optimizing operations and enhancing efficiency.

Types of Platform Technology

• Platform technology can be categorized into two main types and include intangible and tangible.
• Each type has distinct characteristics, benefits, and use cases.

Characteristics of Tangible Platforms

• Tangible platforms consist of physical or hardware-based systems that lay the foundation for software applications and services.
• Tangible platforms have a physical form as networking equipment, such as computers, or servers.
• Tangible platforms often involve the underlying infrastructure, such as data centers, storage devices, and networking hardware, required to run applications.
• Tangible platforms require physical maintenance, including hardware upgrades,physical security measures, and repairs.

Benefits of Tangible Platforms

• Organizations have direct control over and optimization of the infrastructure and hardware.
• Tangible platforms can provide high performance for specific applications, especially when requiring low latency.

Challenges of Tangible Platforms

• The initial setup and ongoing maintenance can have a high cost.
• Scaling tangible platforms often requires investment in additional hardware.

Characteristics of Intangible Platforms

• Intangible platforms are software-based systems, services.
• Intangible platforms exist in a virtual or digital space and do not have a physical form.
• They are provided as a service (for example, Platform as a Service, Infrastructure as a Service, Software as a Service) and accessed remotely.
• Intangible platforms can be easily scaled and updated without physical changes.

Benefits of Intangible Platforms

• Intangible platform offer lower costs, and organizations pay for what they use whilst avoiding hardware investment .
• It is easy to scale up or down according to demand, and updates can be deployed without downtime, which creates flexibility.
• Intangible platform are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, promoting remote work and collaboration.

Challenges of Intangible Platforms

• Performance can be affected depending on internet speed and reliability.
• Vendor Lock-In can often occur, and organizations can become dependent on specific service providers which complicates switching platforms.

Tangible vs Intangible Platforms Comparison

• Tangible Platforms: Physical hardware systems, Yes physical presence, Virtual infrastructure, Requires physical maintenance, Servers/networking, Higher upfront costs, Limited scalability, Limited accessibility, High Control
• Intangible Platforms: Software-based systems and services, No physical presence, Virtual infrastructure, Software updates and maintenance, Cloud Services/CMS/Frameworks, Lower initial costs, Easily Scalable, Broad accessibility, Less Control

Components of Platform Technologies

• Hardware architecture.
• Operating System and software applications.
• Development Frameworks and Tools.
• Cloud Services.

Hardware-Based Platform

• The hardware platform is essential for most digital products, as it is the backend machine that handles all operations.
• A line of compatible hardware products creates a complete platform which has a wide and varied audience.
• Hardware vendors maintain backward compatibility as long as possible to promote continued user functionality.
• Emerging technologies
  • Necessity
  • Communication
• Trends
  • Offices / Business
  • Homes / Families
  • Schools

Examples of Hardware Based Platforms

• Desktop Computer
  • A personal computing device designed to fit on top of a typical office desk.
  • Physical hardware makes a computer run and connects to input devices such as the mouse, monitor and keyboard.
• Laptop Computer
  • A portable computer that can be easily carried and used in a variety of locations and can run the same software and application as a desktop.
• Netbook Computer
  • A type of laptop designed to be very portable but is less powerful than laptops/desktops generally.
  • Netbooks provide enough power for email and internet access which explains the name "netbook".
• Mobile Devices include Tablet Computers and Smartphones.
  • A mobile device is any handheld computer system designed to be extremely portable so you can bring nearly everywhere.
  • Mobile devices are very powerful.
  • Tablet Computers are designed to be portable.
    • Most Tablet Computers don't have a keyboard or touchpad though their screen is touch sensitive allowing a user to interact in that way.
    • Tablet computers are used for web browsing, reading e-books, playing games, watching videos etc.
  • Smartphones are powerful mobile phones with internet access (3G, 4G, 5G cellular data connection) and have a wide range of functionalities.
• Gaming Consoles
  • An electronic output device to display a video game that can be played using a controller.
  • Home consoles are generally placed in a permanent location connected to displays while handheld consoles include their own display unit and controller functions.
  • Hybrid consoles combine both elements. They can be used both in the home and as a hand held console.

Software Based Platform

• Software platforms such as operating systems and other application programs are one of the most needed, common types of platform.
• In the cyber and digital industries, softwares are tools to help hardware and allow applications, services, games, extensions, and other functions to run smoothly.
• Operating System
  • The operating system acts as an interface between the computer, the user and the application.
  • Hardware and an operating system are together the usable platform which programs must run on.
  • The operating system is the platform for game/app development on digital goods for smartphones/tablets/computers and other gadgets.
• Application Program
  • An application is computer software developed to aid a user in performing specific taskd.
  • A computing platform possesses the architecture of the hardware and a software framework that permits application software to operate.
• Application software allows you to perform tasks, spreadsheets and documents. , for example, playing music or games and creating presentations,

Cloud Services

• Cloud services play a crucial role providing flexible and scalable resources over the internet which allows developers to deploy, build, and manage applications.
• With cloud services, developers do not need to have extensive on-premises infrastructure, allowing for cost efficiency and rapid innovation.
• Cloud services give access to computing power, IT resources, storage, on demand applications and which removes the focus on upfront physical infrastructure investment.
• Cloud services technology provides tools for the management, development and maintenance of complete environments for all online digital activity.

Development Frameworks and Tools.

• Programming Languages such as Java, Python, Javascript, that developers use to build their new applications.
• Pre-built tools/libraries(React, Angular, Django) that simplify and accelerate the development process.

Examples of Platform Technologies

• Operating System Platform:
  • Manages all the software and programs on a computer or digital device and includes Linux, Windows, and macOS for PC's and Android and iOS for mobile devices.
  • It allows software applications to run effectively via an interface that communicates to the device.
  • Performing desired operations can be done when the appropriate operating system is installed and updated.
• Database Platforms:
  • A tool consisting of programs to organize data or sorting.
  • Database platforms receive data requests from applications and also retrievie data from the operating system.
  • Companies can access data from any location due to centralized structure of those data platforms.
  • Common examples include MySQL and Microsoft Access.
• Computing Platforms:
  • Built on operating systems that provide computing functionality, often in cloud computing and virtualization.
  • Cloud computing platforms allows scaling of virtual machines as required.
• Storage Platforms:
  • Includes scalability, APIs and value add services that is backed up in locations.
• Application Development Platforms
  • A set of technologies that allows teams to build software efficiently.
  • Are environments that are a toolkit designed to be used by people that allow the development and deployment of running or building applications.
  • Dynamic web applications by executing code.
• Mobile Platforms
  • Mobile platforms include mobile operating systems, environments for mobile building apps.
  • Cloud platforms, services and API's for mobile app developers are found in areas like voice recognition.
• Web Platforms:
  • Services that provides website, web based operations such as a web app or server and content distribution networks.
• Content Management Systems (CMS):
  • Platforms that manage media documentation that can be used internally or externally.
• Media Platforms:
  • Platforms for media analysis and publishing with tools, media delivery on a streaming.
• API Platforms:
  • Are interfaces that help communications.
  • Critical enablers because they are seamless and share data, but also used in different applications.
• Analytics Platform:
  • Data is captured and visualized. -This services helps capture and organize tools that process massive data.
• Security Platform:
  • Is firewall and creates access management controls and a compliance report including key encryption.
• Robotics Platform:
  • Software with simplified programmers that can be controlled.
  • Robotics platforms include robots and other backend systems.
• Internet of Things (IoT):
  • Communication devices such as cloud computing for devices such as device management.
• AI Platforms:
  • Use machine learning in order to carry out human task such as learning, social intelligence, and problem solving. -Virtual reality can be ready to use.
• Game Platform:
  • Environments optimized for gaming can be 3d AR and VR.
  • Platforms for are PC console, and virtual reality, and the internet.
• Engagement Platforms:
  • Software applications which helps businesses connect with each other.
  • Platforms can network details and help post contents.
• Blockchain Platforms are a shared digital ledger users used to record information and or transaction. These platforms help support the framework .
• Digital Marketplace Platforms
  • Its E-commerce for virtual events that help buyers and sellers. This is a basic feature.
• Help optimize platforms like new egg.