Introduction to Platform Technologies

Platform

• refers to a foundational technology or environment that enables the development, deployment, and operation of software applications and services.

• It serves as a base upon which various applications, processes or technologies can be built, developed and run, providing the necessary tools, frameworks, and infrastructure for developers and users.

• It is any hardware or software used to host an application or service.

Technology

• It is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes or applications.

• enhances innovation, efficiency, collaboration, and user experience, ultimately leading to better products and services that can adapt to the ever-changing landscape of user needs and market demands.

Platform Technology

• The application of scientific knowledge to create, develop and deploy applications, tools or services using different hardware, software and cloud computing technology for practical purposes that could change the environment in which humans live.

• is a toolset which is used to build, modify, maintain and monitor services and products used in the digital or cyber world.

Hardware + Software + Cloud

What makes up Platform Technology?

Early Computing (1960s)

Also called as the Mainframe Era, The concept of platforms began with mainframe computers, where large systems like IBM's OS/360 provided a foundation for applications. Users accessed these systems through terminals.

Personal Computing (1970s-1980s)

• The introduction of personal computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as the Apple II and IBM PC, led to the development of operating systems (e.g., DOS, Macintosh, Windows) that served as platforms for software applications. This operating system leads on the development of a user-friendly interface for application development.

• The development of operating systems (OS) like UNIX in the 1970s created a standardized environment for software development, allowing multiple applications to run on the same hardware.

Rise of the Internet (1990s)

• The advent of the World Wide Web in the early 1990s gave rise to web-based platforms. Technologies like HTML, JavaScript, and web servers enabled the creation of dynamic websites and applications.

• E-commerce Platforms like Amazon (founded in 1994) and eBay (founded in 1995) emerged, allowing businesses and consumers to interact online.

Mobile Revolution (2000s)

Social Media Platforms like Facebook (founded in 2004) and X, formerly Twitter, (founded in 2006) created ecosystems for user-generated content and social interaction using smartphones.

Cloud computing (2010s)

• The emergence of cloud computing transformed platform technologies. Services like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform provided scalable infrastructure and tools for developers to build and deploy applications without managing physical servers.

• The rise of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) allowed different software systems to communicate, enabling the creation of interconnected applications and services.

Current Trends (2020s)

• Industry-Specific Platforms: Tailored cloud solutions for specific industries (like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing) have emerged, optimizing operations and enhancing efficiency.

• Tangible

• Intangible

What are the two types of platforms?

Tangible platforms

• refer to physical or hardware-based systems that provide a foundation for software applications and services.

• These platforms are often associated with specific hardware components or infrastructure.

• Physical Appearance

• Infrastructure-based

• Maintenance Requirements

What are the characteristics of Tangible platforms?

• Control

• Performance

What are the benefits of Tangible platforms?

• Cost

• Scalability

What are the challenges of Tangible platforms?

Intangible Platforms

it refer to software-based systems, services, or frameworks that provide a foundation for applications and services without a physical form. These platforms are often delivered over the internet or through virtual environments.

• Virtual Platforms

• Service-based

• Dynamic and Scalable

What are the characteristics of Intangible platforms?

• Cost-effectiveness

• Flexibility

• Accessibility

What are the benefits of Intangible platforms?

• Dependency on Internet Connectivity

• Vendor Lock-in

What are the challenges of Intangible platforms?

• Hardware Architecture

• Operating Systems and Software applications

• Development Frameworks and Tools

• Cloud Services

What are the components of platform technologies?

Hardware-based platform

• The hardware platform is essential for most of the products that are available in the digital world as hardware is the backend machine that handles all.

• A line of hardware products that are compatible with one another creates a complete hardware platform used by dozens of different kinds of users.

• Necessity

• Communication

• Offices/Business

• Homes/Familes

• Schools

Emerging Technologies and Trends

Desktop Computer

• it is a personal computing device designed to fit on top of a typical office desk.

• It houses the physical hardware that makes a computer run and connects to input devices such as the monitor, keyboard and mouse users interact with.

Laptop Computer

• It is a portable computer that can be easily carried and used in a variety of locations.

• It could run the same software and applications like in Desktop PCs.

Netbook Computer

• It is a type of laptop that is designed to be even more portable.

• They are cheaper and less powerful than laptops or desktops.

• They are generally less powerful than other types of computers, but they provide enough power for email and internet access, which is where the name "netbook" comes from.

Mobile Devices

• It is basically any handheld computer system and it is designed to be extremely portable that you could bring anywhere you go.

Tablet Computers

• Mobile device which was designed to be portable.

• The most obvious difference is that these don't have keyboards or touchpads. Instead, the entire screen is touch-sensitive, allowing you to type on a virtual keyboard and use your finger as a mouse pointer.

Smartphones

• It is a powerful mobile phone with rich features and functionalities.

• It was designed to run a variety of applications in addition to phone service.

• Internet access is an important feature of smartphones. (3G, 4G or 5G cellular data connection)

Gaming Consoles

• A video game console is an electronic device that outputs a video signal or image to display a video game that can typically be played with a game controller.

• These may be home consoles, which are generally placed in a permanent location connected to a television or other display devices, or handheld consoles, which include their own display unit and controller functions built into the unit and which can be played anywhere.

• Hybrid consoles combine elements of both home and handheld consoles.

Software-based platforms

• One of the oldest, one of the most common and still one of the most needed platform types is this, such as operating systems and other application programs.

• Used in all kinds of digital & cyber industries, softwares are essential tools to host hardware and help applications, games, extensions, services and others run smoothly with the hardware

Operating System

It acts as an interface between the computer and the user and also between the computer and the application. So in order to have a functional device, you need hardware and this together to make a usable computer platform for a program to run on.

Application Program

• This is a computer software developed specifically to aid a user in performing any specific tasks. A computing platform generally possesses a hardware architecture and a software framework that permits application software to operate.

• This allows you to perform tasks on the computer, for example, playing music or games and creating presentations, spreadsheets and documents.

Cloud Services

• plays a crucial role in platform technologies by providing scalable and flexible resources over the internet. They enable developers to build, deploy, and manage applications without the need for extensive on-premises infrastructure, allowing for rapid innovation and cost efficiency.

• offers a complete environment, full tools for development, management and maintenance of any service that is available digitally.

Development Frameworks and tools

Examples of these are…

• Programming Languages

  • Languages such as Java, Python, JavaScript, and C# that developers use to build applications.

• Frameworks

  • Pre-built libraries and tools (e.g., React, Angular, Django) that simplify and accelerate the development process

Operating System platform

• It manages all the application software and programs on a computer or any digital devices. Almost all software runs on an operating system such as Linux, Windows and macOS for PC’s and Android and iOS for mobile devices.

• It allows software applications to run effectively. The operating system uses a user interface that allows users to communicate with the device to perform their desired operations.

Database platforms

• It is an essential tool which consists of a group of programs that allow you to organize, sort, edit, retrieve, manage, define, and store data in a database.

• It receives data requests from applications and retrieve the data from the operating system. It's an effective tool in a company because it provides a centralized structure where team members can access data from any location.

Computing Platforms

• Platforms was built on top of operating systems that provide computing functionality in areas such as cloud computing and virtualization.

• For example, a cloud computing platform that allows you to scale your services by adding and removing virtual machines as required.

Storage Platforms

• Platforms for scalable storage of objects and files including APIs and value added services such as resilient storage that is backed up in multiple locations.

Application Development Platforms

• It is a set of integrated technologies that enable teams to build software applications efficiently.

• They are environments and toolkits for developing and deploying applications and processes, a class of software that is primarily designed to be used by people.

Mobile Platforms

• They include mobile operating systems and environments for building mobile apps.

• They also include cloud platforms for building mobile backends that provide services to mobile apps. This may include specialized APIs that are useful for mobile app developers in areas such as location services and voice recognition.

Web platforms

• Platforms that provide services that are useful to websites and web-based software as a service such as web servers, web application servers, content delivery networks and edge computing.

Media platforms

• Platforms for media publishing and analysis with tools such as video transcoding, streaming and recognition.

• It is a service, site, or method that delivers media to an audience. Its functions are to deliver, but also sometimes to allow for feedback, discussion, or sharing. Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, your local newspaper, network TV etc., are media platform outlets.

API Platforms

• These are interfaces that allow different software applications to communicate and interact with each other. They enable integration with third-party services and facilitate data exchange

Analytics Platform

• Services for capturing, processing, analyzing and visualizing data. This may include tools for ingesting, processing, querying and managing big data.

Security Platforms

• These are firewalls, identity & access management, directory services, certificates, compliance reporting, encryption, key management and threat detection.

• It is a software that incorporates specific functions from vendors and sometimes third-party products to improve the operation of your digital device. Other operations that it performs are the prevention of file-based malware, firewall creation, directory services, access management, and encryption.

Robotics Platform

It is a software package with a simplified programming framework for robotics devices. The platform provides robotics devices with all the components required to perform a task. Examples of robotics software platforms include Evolution Robotics Software Platform (ERSP), Microsoft Robotics Studio, Skilligent, and Webots.

Internet of Things (IoT)

• It refers to the collective network of connected devices and the technology that facilitates communication between devices and the cloud, as well as between the devices themselves

AI platforms

• Also called as machine learning platforms, they require the use of machines to carry out tasks that would be performed by human beings.

• These platforms activate the cognitive function associated with the human mind, performing actions like problem-solving, reasoning, learning, social intelligence, and basically general intelligence.

Game Platform

• Environments that are optimized for running game services such as backends for mobile games or massively multiplayer online games. These may include services such as 3D game engines, AR and VR APIs.

• There are different platforms for video games and they are PC, console, television, arcade, virtual reality, mobile devices, streaming, and websites.

Engagement Platforms

• These are software applications that enable companies' interaction with potential customers and team members.

• They are social media platforms which you can also use as an individual to network with clients and professionals. Once you create a profile on this platform, include your details, and post content regularly, it becomes easy for people to find and reach you.

Blckchain Platforms

• It is a shared digital ledger that allows users to record transactions and share information securely and tamper-resistantly. A distributed network of computers maintains the register, and each transaction is verified by consensus among the network participants.

• Technologies like Ethereum and Hyperledger provide a framework for developing decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts.

Digital Marketplace Platforms

• It is a platform that facilitates e-commerce by creating a virtual environment where buyers and sellers can transact. This platform allows sellers to display their products and prices for interested buyers to contact them.