The Power of Composable Architecture: In Conversation with Dan Martin

When it comes to responding to the requirements of “The Modern Web”, adaptability is at the forefront of the list of “dos”. We’ve been sharing a lot about the technical aspects of our service on the blog recently, delving into hot topics from the world of Digital Development.  Next up in the series is a closer dive into Composable Architecture, a discipline we’re pretty passionate about here at Show + Tell and one we know truly delivers for our client’s technical needs. 

As an independent agency committed to delivering best-in-class websites and creative that result in experiences with impact, we understand the significance of staying ahead of the curve, and constantly innovating to meet the dynamic needs of our clients. 

One concept that has revolutionised the way we approach digital development service delivery is the power of Composable Architecture.

We sat down for a chat with Dan Martin, Show + Tell’s Technical Director, to understand more about this exciting principle: 

First of all, for those that may not know, what is Composable Architecture?

Composable Architecture is an approach that emphasises building digital systems from modular, independent components. These components are designed to be loosely coupled, allowing for flexibility, scalability, and rapid innovation. 

Instead of monolithic platforms, where changes require extensive redevelopment that can often result in disruption and downtime, composable architecture enables agility and speed by enabling components to be easily assembled, rearranged, and updated.

The Benefits of Composable Architecture

Agility: Traditional, monolithic architectures like WordPress can be cumbersome and hinder the ability to respond quickly to changing requirements. Composable architecture, on the other hand, allows for rapid adaptation. 

By breaking down systems into smaller, reusable components, we can easily modify, replace, or add new functionality without disrupting the entire system.

Optimised components: Composable architecture is more about using the right components for a particular job and those components being optimised for that specific job. For example, it is possible to make the WordPress CMS provide e-commerce functionality, but because it was never designed to do that, the performance is generally subpar, and the code can be full of complex workarounds. With a composable approach, a CMS and an e-commerce platform would be combined, and both could be optimised for their specific jobs.

Innovation: By decoupling components, the composable architecture supports innovation. Developers can focus on creating specialised components that excel in their respective domains. These components can then be seamlessly integrated into larger systems, accelerating the pace of innovation and enabling us to deliver cutting-edge solutions to our clients.

Flexibility: Every single one of our clients is unique, with their own set of requirements and constraints. Composable architecture provides the flexibility to tailor solutions to meet these specific needs. 

Whether it's integrating with legacy systems, in-house technologies, accommodating regulatory requirements, or adapting to evolving business processes, composable architecture empowers us to deliver bespoke solutions that address our client's challenges. 

We’re currently kicking off an exciting project for a global leader in precision manufacturing and engineering, which involves integrating with a PIM (product information management system) and a CAD-based integration.

This would be a far more complex task without the power of Composable Architecture driving our approach. 

Case Study: Leveraging Composable Architecture for Success for Arterius

One recent project where we leveraged the power of composable architecture was the development of a new website and CMS platform for Arterius, a UK-based medical device scale-up. 

Composable architecture means the CMS (in this case, Payload) can focus on excelling at its job of content management, whilst for any future enhancements to the site, we will be able to select the best tool for the job, free from the constraints that would have been enforced by an older CMS like WordPress.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to push the boundaries of digital innovation in every aspect of our service delivery, composable architecture will play an increasingly pivotal role in our approach. 

By embracing the principles of modularity, flexibility, and scalability, we can unlock new possibilities and drive value for our clients in a fast-paced and ever-changing digital landscape. 

For more information, why not chat with our team to discuss how best-in-class approaches like Composable Architecture and Headless CMS could work for your business?

Get in touch - we’d love to hear from you!