One of the broader trends across Enterprise Businesses is the need for customization. Existing business tools, traditionally grouped into categories such as Excel-like spreadsheets, point solutions, or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools, do not have the flexibility to be tailored to exactly meet a manufacturer’s specific needs.
Nearly every business software comes equipped with an Application Programming Interface (API) that enables seamless communication with existing systems. This technological leap has paved the way for the emergence of event-driven architectures, such as Kafka, that are particularly prominent in industries like manufacturing to enhance reliability and mitigate the risk of system failures during outages. However, this proliferation of diverse solutions requires an orchestrating tool – an operating system – that synchronizes and integrates the array of applications available.
The term ‘system integration’ often conjures the notion of seamlessly connecting disparate tools. However, the reality is more nuanced. Each business operates with unique workflows, demanding tailored configurations of systems to optimally function within those workflows. This intricate interplay of customized systems requires a new type of solution – operating systems – that can efficiently manage a large set of company-specific operations.
Analogous to how MacOS serves as the bedrock for Google Chrome, Microsoft Teams, and Terminal, businesses require a unifying software solution to effectively run diverse applications like Accounting, Slack, and Sales. This new generation of tooling is still in its early stages but is gradually making its presence felt in the market. Prominent players are positioning themselves as the vanguard of this shift. For instance, Monday.com has rebranded itself as the “Work Operating System” for small businesses, redefining how teams manage their operations. On a grander scale, even industry giants like ServiceNow, which was initially revered as an IT system for Fortune 500 companies, has evolved into a holistic workflow management company. Salesforce, renowned for its prowess in sales automation, is also embracing the role of an operating system by underpinning a myriad of applications beyond sales functions.
This surge in the prominence of operating systems foreshadows the future of enterprise software. We’re departing from the monolithic approach of implementing a single SAP instance that often requires a consulting team to implement. Instead, we’re shifting towards businesses consolidating their diverse applications under one roof, enabling a unified and cohesive management approach. The rise of operating systems is a testament to the growing demand for tailored and agile solutions that can align with the distinct needs of their modern businesses.
At its core, the advent of operating systems signals the decentralization of business software management. Businesses now have the ability to assert more autonomy over their technology stack. No longer bound by rigid and unwieldy systems, enterprises can create an ecosystem of applications that align with their specific operational requirements. This democratization of software management not only enhances operational efficiency but also fosters innovation by allowing businesses to adapt swiftly to evolving market trends.