As businesses seek better methods to remain agile, customer-centric, and future-proof, enterprise software suites are no longer the safest pick. Many organizations are turning to MACH architecture to achieve digital transformation, which is critical for future success. MACH architecture has evolved from a unique notion to the gold standard as more businesses are adopting it.
The term “MACH” was first established by the commerce tools team, which collaborated with EPAM and other software suppliers to form the MACH Alliance.
Let’s explore MACH, its influence on digital marketing, and the benefits it poses.
What is MACH Architecture?
MACH architecture combines four distinct architectural concepts. You may have learned about these programming ideas alone or in combination. However, MACH is only achieved by combining all four elements.
MACH stands for,
- Microservices
- API-first
- Cloud-native
- Headless
With a mature MACH implementation, your company can reap innumerable benefits. Utilizing this decoupled architecture has allowed some of the world’s leading enterprises, especially in e-commerce to create faultless client purchasing experiences across all devices.
Microservices
Microservices is any architectural style to create and deploy software as tiny independent services using best of breed solutions. Microservices enable applications to be developed, distributed, deployed, and managed independently as loosely coupled components that interact through a shared fabric (API). A microservice generally implements a specific business capability within a larger domain, is developed autonomously, and can be deployed independently as a self-contained application encapsulating it’s own storage, dependencies, and programming platform.
An analogous example to microservice for instance – TV projects images, a cable receiver processes the signal, and an amplifier enables audio output. Each of these devices is built independently and can be placed anywhere and they communicate with the other through established protocols to offer specific services to provide an entertainment experience.
API-First
API’s expedite and simplify the integration of best-of-breed vendor solutions with existing tech stacks. APIs provide a common language and instruction that enable different applications or services to talk to one another. For example, in the case of an online store, there are numerous APIs at play, but the most obvious ones are the login API and the payment API. Another example is a travel booking aggregator like Kayak, which uses APIs to connect with the databases of various airlines.
Individual APIs are created and incorporated into a program to link several microservices into a unified whole. This allows many people to work together on a big project without stepping on each other’s toes or having problems with code commits.
Cloud-Native
Cloud-Native is all about speed and agility. You will find many definitions of “Cloud Native” and when it comes to MACH it’s all about building and leveraging SaaS that leverages the cloud to the max! Not just for storage or hosting but, automatic provisioning, scaling, management, deployments.
Cloud-Native applications avoid the infrastructure management overhead thus simplifying the digital resource management greatly.
Headless
Headless is all about making the front-end decoupled and agnostic of the backend technologies or frameworks. A headless application or service makes its content or data available over an API without having to worry about channels or frontend frameworks. The front-end applications can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently to use a shared headless service or application. This greatly increases developer flexibility by allowing them to build their front-end with any technologies including JavaScript, PHP, or whatever they prefer. This also helps with security given the content and APIs are separated from the presentation thus reducing the surface area of attacks.
The headless approach allows you to increase your presence across various platforms without dealing with segregated, isolated content or the additional labor that comes with it.
Examples of MACH Architecture
Netflix is a prime example of an online streaming service that closely adheres to the principles and design of MACH architecture. Since shifting towards AWS cloud-based microservices in the year 2009, Netflix now has over 600 established microservices in production that help manage various business functions. Powered by high-functioning microservices, Netflix now boasts over 180 million subscribers from more than 200 countries.
Therefore, by taking advantage of the various benefits of MACH architecture, Netflix has been able to leverage valuable opportunities and exponentially scale-up operations in recent years.
Another example of a large company that employs the use of MACH architectural designs is Uber. By transitioning its platform from a monolithic design to a MACH architecture with over 1000 microservices in production, Uber has been able to substantially scale up its operations and is now the world’s largest ridesharing service.
Uber has also established a high-functioning API gateway that is powered with dynamic and robust features that are capable of handling the company’s rapid outgoing and incoming data cycles.
Benefits of MACH Architecture
- MACH architecture enables you to use the most advanced technologies available. You no longer have to settle for subpar add-ons included with software packages. Due to MACH’s modular structure, it may also assist in preserving the current functionality that you have invested in and are satisfied with.
- You will never have to be concerned about troublesome upgrades that seem like they are re-platforming projects all on their own again. The MACH design allows for non-breaking releases. This is achievable because there is a transparent, intrinsic barrier between our code and yours.
- Adaptability is more important than ever before for businesses, as consumers demand constant change. Iteration must be prioritized when it comes to innovation. The MACH design allows for ongoing modification and changes in the customer experience. For example, MACH enables you to provide curbside pick-up options over the weekend or create a redesigned ordering experience for a high-profile business client.
Final Thoughts
MACH is one of those creative ways that allow you to push your organization to new technical heights while improving the client experience. MACH combines four architectural methods, integrating cloud-native microservices through APIs. As a result, multiple frontends may be created without changing the backend. Many software companies currently provide MACH-based solutions to organizations.
The development of software based on the MACH architecture may benefit a company’s path toward digital retail transformation. Within a few years, the eCommerce sector may have changed beyond recognition, and early adopters will have higher chances of gaining client loyalty and staying one step ahead of their competitors.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of MACH Architecture for your organization, please contact us.