Platform Tips #27: The Boom of Internal Developer Platforms in the Last 18 Months
Internal developer platforms are booming to meet demands for efficient software dev. In the past 18 months, there has been a surge in these platforms. Let's explore why and what the future holds
Hey Folks 👋,
I'm Romaric, CEO of Qovery, and this is my 27th Platform Tips post.
In the past 18 months, the interest in Internal Developer Platforms (IDPs) has surged dramatically. This trend reflects the growing need for developer-friendly infrastructure management solutions. But what’s driving this boom, and what does the current landscape look like?
Why the Boom?
Developer Efficiency
Developers are under constant pressure to deliver software faster and more reliably. IDPs enable developers to focus on coding by automating repetitive tasks and simplifying complex workflows, thus boosting productivity.
Complexity of Modern Applications
Modern applications are complex, with microservices and diverse technologies. IDPs offer a unified interface to manage this effectively.
Cost and Resource Management
Efficient resource use is crucial. IDPs optimize infrastructure, reduce wastage, and ensure cost-effectiveness, especially for large-scale companies.
Security and Compliance
With rising security threats and regulatory requirements, having a controlled and consistent deployment environment is crucial. IDPs enforce security policies and compliance standards across all development lifecycle stages.
Current Landscape
The landscape of internal developer platforms can be divided into two main categories: Internal Developer Portals and Internal Developer Platforms. While they have distinct characteristics, the lines between them are beginning to blur.
Internal Developer Portals provide a centralized place for developers to access documentation, APIs, and services. They enhance the discoverability and accessibility of internal resources, making it easier for developers to find and use the tools they need.
Internal Developer Platforms go a step further by offering end-to-end solutions for infrastructure management, from code to deployment. They automate environment provisioning, CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, and more, providing a comprehensive platform for development operations.
We also see that major industry players recognize the value of developer efficiency and are actively developing their own IDP products. Atlassian has introduced Compass, Red Hat is working on its own solutions, and HashiCorp has launched Waypoint. The tech world is buzzing about IDPs! Their importance is skyrocketing as more and more people are jumping on board.
Convergence of Solutions
As platform engineering teams face converging demands, both categories are starting to integrate features from each other. Internal Developer Portals are adding more automation and integration capabilities, while Internal Developer Platforms are enhancing their user interfaces and resource discovery features. Here are a few examples:
Humanitec: Traditionally known for its orchestrator, Humanitec is now working on providing a full-fledged portal, expanding beyond its initial scope.
Qovery: Providing an Internal Developer Platform focusing on great Developer Experience extends its capabilities to include a portal.
Port: Initially an internal developer portal, Port is now incorporating more integrations and features that push it towards becoming a platform. They propose use cases like ephemeral environments, which require automated infrastructure creation, a hallmark of a comprehensive Internal Developer Platform.
This convergence aims to provide a unified solution that meets the diverse needs of modern development teams.
Conclusion
Internal developer platforms are booming to meet the demands of efficient software development. They tackle complexity, cut costs, and boost security best practices. The line between portals and platforms is blurring, ushering in a new era of seamless developer productivity and infrastructure management. I can’t be more excited! What about you? :)
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