2024 Gartner® Report: When Should Applications Use a MACH Architecture Approach?
In April 2024, Gartner® published its report “When Should Applications Use a MACH Architecture Approach?” where they provide valuable insights for software engineering leaders and software architects who consider a MACH approach for their own software projects.
The Components of MACH
MACH architecture is built on microservices, API-first, cloud-native SaaS, and headless principles, enabling a composable service ecosystem. Initially focused on digital commerce, MACH is now increasingly relevant in areas such as PIM.
MACH and Composability
The primary goal of MACH technology is to enable the independent replacement or enhancement of business services, promoting composability and the ability to flexibly adapt software architecture by adding, replacing, or removing individual services with minimal effort. For example, in composable e-commerce, it is possible to add payment or recommendation services to the online store in no time.
The Components of MACH
MACH architecture is built on microservices, API-first, cloud-native SaaS, and headless principles, enabling a composable service ecosystem. Initially focused on digital commerce, MACH is now increasingly relevant in areas such as PIM.
MACH and Composability
The primary goal of MACH technology is to enable the independent replacement or enhancement of business services, promoting composability and the ability to flexibly adapt software architecture by adding, replacing, or removing individual services with minimal effort. For example, in composable e-commerce, it is possible to add payment or recommendation services to the online store in no time.
Why MACH Requires Integration Expertise
Technology providers that follow MACH principles - regardless of whether they are MACH-certified or not - state that this approach eliminates the need for large replatforming projects and enables continuous modernization and improvement.
However, the higher the number of independent services that are integrated into core business processes, the more critical the need for holistic management of interfaces, APIs and end-to-end data flows becomes. This is because the more complex the application landscape becomes, the greater the risk of data leaks, which often remain undetected in companies without such management.
Does Your Architecture Follow MACH Principles?
Businesses must mitigate these risks by ensuring thorough monitoring, management, and ongoing optimisation of their MACH software and application architecture. However, many companies that adopted the MACH approach in recent years have realised that they lack the internal capacities and/or skills to effectively and securely manage a complex composable infrastructure. That’s why ADVELLENCE specialises in holistic information supply chain management, offering consulting, integration, and support services to companies facing these challenges.
Gartner, "When Should Applications Use a MACH Architecture Approach?", Paul Vincent, Mike Lowndes, Dave Micko, Anne Thomas, April 19, 2024.
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