Composable architecture is a modern approach to designing applications by breaking down business functionalities into modular, reusable components. This architectural style gives organizations the flexibility to adapt quickly, optimize resources, and accelerate innovation. Composable architecture has become a critical strategy for businesses looking to stay agile and thrive in today’s fast-changing landscape
| In a nutshell: Composable architecture leverages modular, reusable components called Packaged Business Capabilities (PBCs) to build flexible, scalable systems that drive agility and innovation. This approach helps organizations adapt quickly, reduce costs, and enhance user experiences. Used across industries like retail, banking, and government, it enables seamless transformation to stay competitive. Platforms like Entando simplify adoption by streamlining the management and orchestration of reusable components. |
What makes it unique?
At its core, composable architecture emphasizes modularity and flexibility. Applications are built using Packaged Business Capabilities (PBCs)—self-contained functional units often described as digital building blocks. These PBCs expose APIs and event channels, allowing developers to orchestrate tailored solutions.A composable enterprise integrates this flexible approach into both IT and business strategies. By leveraging reusable assets, organizations can create, deploy, and iterate applications quickly to meet evolving needs. Industry leaders like Gartner emphasize that adopting composable architecture is crucial for enterprise resilience and innovation, especially during periods of disruption.
Building blocks: what are composable applications?
Composable applications are the practical outcomes of composable architecture. Unlike monolithic systems, they are built by combining Packaged Business Capabilities (PBCs), microfrontends, and microservices. Building blocks—such as tax calculation functions, shopping carts, pricing tools, and analytics dashboards—come together to form complete applications.
These components, often delivered via API-driven SaaS, can be developed in-house, sourced from third-party vendors, or extracted from existing systems. For example, a composable e-commerce application might integrate PBCs for personalized product recommendations, payment processing, and supply chain management.
Advantages of composable applications
- Modularity enables swapping, upgrading, or customizing specific capabilities without overhauling the entire system.
- Flexibility allows organizations to quickly adapt to new technologies, customer demands, and regulatory changes.
- Business/IT Collaboration improves teamwork by providing low-code/no-code tools for non-developers, bridging IT and business needs.
Industries such as retail, finance, government, and technology increasingly rely on composable applications to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge.
Microservices vs. Packaged Business Capabilities (PBCs)
While microservices and Packaged Business Capabilities (PBCs) share similarities, they serve distinct purposes:
- Microservices deliver narrowly scoped, IT-driven functionality, such as handling user authentication.
- PBCs encapsulate broader business-level functionalities, such as managing an entire product catalog.
For example:
- A microservice might perform a specific task like validating payment methods.
- A PBC could handle all payment-related processes, including validation, refunds, and integrations with multiple payment gateways.
While microservices are integral to composable architecture, PBCs play a more strategic role by aligning with business needs and workflows.
Composable architecture vs. microservices architecture
Composable architecture goes beyond microservices by incorporating reusable UI components, structured workflows, and end-to-end solutions that align IT systems with business objectives. While microservices architecture focuses on small, independent services from a technical standpoint, composable architecture emphasizes broader business goals and cross-functional collaboration.The success of composable initiatives often depends on roles like platform engineering and catalog curation, ensuring the system remains scalable, robust, and future-ready.
Advantages
Understanding the key advantages of composable architecture is essential for adopting this innovative model. Here are the main ones:
- Unprecedented Business Agility – Enables businesses to respond instantly to disruptions, demand changes, or market shifts. For example, retailers can seamlessly scale operations during peak sales seasons.
- Faster Time-to-Market – Reusable PBCs accelerate application delivery by allowing teams to build on existing modules rather than starting from scratch, reducing development time and focusing on high-impact features.
- Enhanced Innovation Cycles – A modular design allows organizations to experiment rapidly, roll out innovations, and implement changes without disrupting the core system.
- Cost Efficiency – Centralized PBCs eliminate redundancy, and updates or bug fixes apply across all dependent applications, reducing maintenance costs.
Improved User Experience – Reusing components ensures consistent design and performance across multiple platforms, enhancing customer satisfaction.
Real-world applications
Composable architecture has already transformed industries:
- Composable Commerce – Retailers are using PBCs like inventory management and payment gateways to create an agile, personalized omnichannel experience in e-commerce.
- Composable ERP – Organizations are integrating processes efficiently to create unified user experiences across systems like SAP. This approach orchestrates business processes based on actual needs and activates on-demand capabilities for faster time-to-market and greater adaptability.
- Composable Government – Governments are streamlining citizen services and responding more effectively to policy changes.
Industry leaders like Nike and McDonald’s China demonstrate how composable architecture ensures seamless customer experience, even during rapid shifts in priorities or timelines.
Getting started
Transitioning to composable architecture requires careful planning and the right tools. Here are key steps to guide your organization:
- Build skills and teams – Form fusion teams that include both IT professionals and business stakeholders. Focus initial efforts on applications that require agility and rapid iteration.
- Adopt an Application Composition Platform (ACP) – Platforms like Entando streamline the development, management, and orchestration of reusable assets, reducing complexity while ensuring scalability and governance.
Focus on measurable wins – Start with high-impact projects, such as customer-facing apps or operational tools. These quick successes demonstrate the effectiveness and ROI of the transition.
The role of Entando
Entando exemplifies a well-designed Application Composition Platform, demonstrating how composable architecture enhances agility and reduces complexity. Its centralized catalog of PBCs (“Bundles”) simplifies integration with enterprise systems for continuous improvement.
Entando enables organizations to align business goals with IT execution, making digital transformation more accessible and effective for enterprises of any scale.
The future ahead
Adopting composable architecture is no longer optional for businesses that want to stay competitive. Technologies like Domain-Driven Design (DDD), microfrontends, and microservices enable organizations to build scalable, adaptable systems that evolve with changing demands.
By investing in composable architecture today, industries gain the flexibility to innovate and the agility to lead in tomorrow’s markets. Organizations that prioritize modularity and adaptability will be best positioned to thrive in an era of constant change.