Trends Report

The Software-Powered Business

Faster Software Delivery Means Better Business Results

October 20th, 2014
Kurt Bittner, Principal Analyst
Kurt Bittner Principal Analyst
With contributors:
Christopher Mines , Elizabeth Ryckewaert , Josh Bernoff

Summary

Software is to business what plastic was to manufacturing: an infinitely malleable component that can be shaped to many purposes. Software is central: It powers processes, represents the brand in customer-facing applications, and enhances product functionality as an embedded component. In the old development model, infrequent releases and varying quality limited the role of software. But modern software practices — continuous delivery, loosely-coupled architectures, and agile organizational models — drive rapid innovation and have created a new kind of enterprise: the software-powered business. Companies like Amazon and Netflix started the revolution that is now penetrating mainstream companies in nearly every industry: rapid and continuous delivery of software coupled with data flowing back from customers creates a feedback loop, which drives closer connections to customers and continually improving experiences. Software-powered businesses outpace traditional organizations. Becoming one should be at the top of the BT agenda for application development and delivery professionals.

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