Microservices paving road to continuous modular development

In a tech world where microservices architecture is enabling unprecedented agility and scalability Gartner is predicting by 2018 most application platform as a service providers will include microservices infrastructure capabilities.

With companies like Airbnb, Dropbox and Goldman Sachs seeing development lead times cut by as much as 75 percent when using microservices the trend is not stopping. TSWG’s Mark Paterson and eWise’s David Hamilton explore the preparation required for the transition to microservices.

The concept which sounds simple enough has given rise to a whole new ecosystem of companies and open-source software to help people with this transition to microservices.

Mark Paterson Founder and CMO of TSWG explains how microservices is a freeing experience for the organisation as it enables it to focus less time on managing its infrastructure.

“We are all familiar with the monolithic systems where everything is one deployable unit. Although having one single source development is attractive, it means little can be done quickly. Even the smallest change requires considerable thought and development.”

What is microservices architecture?

By definition; microservice architecture is a method of developing software applications as a suite of independently deployable, small, modular services in which each service runs a unique process and communicates through a well-defined, lightweight mechanism to serve a business goal.

According to eWise CEO David Hamilton the microservice mantra is driven by the notion that applications become easier to build and in the long term maintain when they are broken down into smaller pieces of work.

“It is easy to stop and start the systems without stopping the entire platform, which is the case for traditional platforms. The microservice approach has allowed large corporations, banks and super funds to easily access and integrate with external parties.

What is the best approach for microservice development?

Owners of any large platform considering the adoption of microservices to improve agility and scalability will reap benefits.

eWise CEO David Hamilton has identified three downstream benefits following the introduction of microservices.

“Firstly agility, microservices enable faster development and deployment. Secondly risk reduction as the deployments are small and independent. Finally, the technology is flexible with autonomous deployment.”

Where is the best place to start?

Most traditional enterprise applications do not follow a microservice architecture therefore creating a series of partnerships can start the process in an agile and risk reduced banner according to Mark Paterson.

“Managing the evolution of your microservice requires a master plan, to avoid an urban sprawl. Working with partners can help reduce the burden.”

“Microservices are driving down development cost while driving up agility and quality on a more resilient system. The key to success is to determine if the needs warrant a microservice. Not every application is complicated enough to warrant being broken into microservices.”