A scalable platform accommodates multiples transactions and operations at a single time. Scalability helps your platform handle oncoming work as your business keeps growing and developing thus allowing more and more people can make use of it to meet the growing demand. It is able to keep up with the growing trends of a business unlike a static platform, which soon fizzles out and dies.
Scalability can be categorized into the following categories:
Outward scalability: Outward scalability refers to the ability of the platform to adapt to network expansion. This happens when the application of the system/platform expands beyond the original location to more locations.
Upward scalability: Outward scalability refers to adaptability to an increasing number of users and online traffic when the network grows wider.
Why Scalable platform?
Be it your payment platform, cloud computing platform, application development platform or your business app, scalability is important due to the following reasons:
Important for business growth
Every business aspires to grow and develop with time. The platform should be able to adjust accordingly to the business. With growth, comes new scope of operations to meet rising demands. Only a scalable platform will be able to accommodate the changes and process things on a higher level. Otherwise, it could prove to be an obstacle on your way to success.
High functionality
With a scalable platform, all the existing features can be updated to a higher level. It is capable of accommodating multiple functions without hampering the processing speed. This brings efficiency in performing varied operations.
Easy to add new features
Scalable platforms are usually more adaptable to new updates and trends, which make it easy to install and test new features. Because they are designed in a way to accommodate frequent updates. On the contrary, a static platform doesn’t always adopt newer technologies.
Future-proofing
A scalable platform readies your business for upcoming challenges in the future. Whatever the circumstances are in the future, a proper response is crucial to tap underlying opportunities or safeguard your business from losses. Optimizing your software solutions and development platforms to stay on the path of your objectives is possible only when they are scalable.
Prevents technology bottlenecks
Some of the common technology bottlenecks are high disk usage, low memory and more. These problems often slow down the functioning of the system and might even lead to loss of data through crashes or system failure. Scalability keeps a check on these factors and prevents performance issues.
Enhance customer experience:
With a scalable platform, consumers’ expectations are met efficiently. All they want or desire can be provided through one application. Their data can be handled and stored securely. Their grievances and complaints can be resolved in less time!
When to Scale?
An important decision that lies in the hand of the management of a business is when to implement a scaling platform. Some of the factors that demand your business to switch to a scalable platform are mentioned as under:
- When your software systems become slow and users constantly complain about slow performance.
- When a system crash is a major concern being faced by the IT department.
- When there are new trends in the market and your systems are not equipped to accommodate advanced features
- When with the existing systems, you are not able to make the most of the resources as contrary to what your rivals are doing.
- When your customers’ queries are not being met efficiently with the existing resources.