Microservices are gaining traction as the future response to modern software architecture. In this article, we delve into the concept of microservices, highlighting their distinctive features that set them apart from monolithic architectures and we explore the multitude of benefits that organisations can reap by adopting microservices.
In many companies today, the IT architecture consists of large or small IT solutions combined into one indivisible component. The mindset behind microservices is the opposite. Here, the architecture consists of several different services connected via APIs. The components are independent of each other and can easily be replaced as the development of the business and/or technology requires. Sounds smart? Read on...
Microservices are software architecture built from a collection of smaller services, each running its own processes and communicating via an API. According to Google Trends, the interest in microservices began to really accumulate in 2015 (Google Trends). However, it is especially with the prevalence of cloud that microservices have gained their legitimacy as new software architecture.
A monolith is what we today characterise as a 'classic' IT solution where all parts of the software are placed in one indivisible component. All processes are closely linked and treated as one single service. To make improvements, changes or updates to a monolith, the entire system is updated simultaneously. The opposite is true for microservices. Here, the architecture itself means that improvements, changes and updates occur in each microservice without having to update the entire system. That is clever, as it minimises the risk of downtime and reduces the need for troubleshooting. With a microservice architecture, companies can choose the tools that fit each task. Due to their individual technical set-up, companies can more frequently deliver new features and updates to end users.
Microservices offer numerous advantages as a software architecture choice. Firstly, they prioritize the business needs, ensuring that the focus remains on meeting organizational objectives. Additionally, microservices empower companies to select the most suitable tools for each specific task, enabling greater flexibility and efficiency.
Microservices also promote improved communication between various systems, facilitating seamless integration and collaboration. This leads to faster time-to-market for introducing new features, enabling businesses to stay ahead in the competitive landscape.
Scalability is another key benefit of microservices, as they provide virtually unlimited scaling possibilities. This empowers companies to handle increasing workloads and user demands without compromising performance or stability.
Moreover, microservices simplify complex business processes, making them more manageable and easier to maintain. By breaking down applications into smaller, self-contained components, businesses can iterate and evolve their software architecture over an extended period, ensuring long-term flexibility and adaptability.
There are many reasons to keep up with the development of microservices from various cloud providers. We have an overview of a wide range of microservices available in Azure, AWS and Google Cloud Platform. And we offer to develop unique microservices to cover your company's needs.
One of the biggest impediments to accelerating pace of innovation is older legacy systems. They are not geared to becoming part of a modern, scalable, and digital omnichannel solution. Instead Microservice as an IT architecture principle represents a refreshing break with traditional development.
