Embracing platform engineering is becoming increasingly critical in today’s digital landscape, where efficiency and automation are key drivers of success. However, many organizations still rely on traditional or manual approaches to software development, deployment, and operations, leading to a host of challenges that can impede progress and innovation.
Without a platform engineering solution, teams often find themselves bogged down by repetitive manual processes, cumbersome custom in-house solutions, and fragmented point tools that do not integrate seamlessly.
Additionally, the reliance on various open-source tools and hybrid setups can create a complex and resource-intensive environment.
In this blog, we will explore the common difficulties faced when operating without a platform engineering framework and highlight the importance of adopting such solutions to streamline workflows, reduce operational burdens, and enhance overall productivity.
The top 5 common pains
1. Manual processes
Without a platform engineering solution, many tasks would need to be carried out manually and repetitively. Earlier, no one saw a great need to automate repetitive activities. But today, where digital development is the new normal, automation of repetitive activities becomes important.
This can include setting up development environments, configuring servers, handling deployments, and scaling infrastructure without the automation and self-service capabilities that platform engineering offers.
2. Custom in-house solutions
Some organizations may choose to develop their own custom solutions tailored to their specific needs. While this allows for greater control and customization, it can be resource-intensive and may lack the support and innovation that come with dedicated platform engineering products. Also, there’s the risk that only a few people know the custom setup well. Thus, when they leave, the knowledge may leave with them.
3. Point solutions
Companies might use point solutions that address specific needs without an integrated PE approach. These may include, for example, standalone tools for version control, continuous integration, monitoring, and more, but they do not necessarily integrate seamlessly with one another.
4. Open-source tools
Organizations might opt to use various open-source tools to piece together their software development lifecycle. While this can be cost-effective, it requires the expertise to integrate and maintain these tools successfully. Plus, additional human resources and infrastructure hosting.
5. Hybrid solutions
A mix of the above, where a company still has automated tooling and processes for certain tasks but also relies on manual processes, in-house solutions, or point solutions for other parts of the development lifecycle. This is probably the most common setup in enterprise organizations currently.
If organizations are doing a cost-benefit analysis of a platform engineering solution, they need to weigh factors like cost, resource availability, expertise, the complexity of their operations, and their long-term digital strategy to find the best approach that aligns with their business goals and technical capabilities.
Closing thoughts
Navigating the complexities of software development, deployment, and operations without a platform engineering solution can present significant challenges. Manual processes, custom in-house solutions, fragmented point tools, and the use of various open-source or hybrid setups can hinder progress and efficiency.
Embracing a platform engineering strategy provides an opportunity to streamline processes, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance overall productivity. As organizations weigh the costs, resources, and expertise required to implement such a solution, it’s crucial to consider the long-term benefits and alignment with business goals and technical capabilities.
Ultimately, adopting a robust platform engineering approach can lead to a more cohesive, innovative, and efficient development environment, driving success in today’s digital-first world.
Learn more about platform engineering here.
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