How to build a technology platform

This is a rumination on how we are thinking about building Myntra’s logistics capabilities. The attempt is to develop a mental framework for building software systems and teams that can be applied to any problem domain.

Let’s try to build a logistics technology platform for the world!

What platform?

1. SaaS platform for logistics companies.
2. Out-of-the-box modelling and default behaviours for logistics entities.
3. Standard method of customizing core behaviour to create new experiences without modifying the platform.

Why platform?

What are the problems in building a software system for the long term?

1. Changing processes : Frequent changes and even complete overhauls of the logistics operations model.
2. Evolving business : No one can predict how the business will evolve.
3. Reducing go-to-market : Expectation of ever increasing agility and reduced time to market despite the above.

Given this, how do we write software that maintains/scales well and helps us keep pace with the business? We have two important observations here.

1. Technical solutions built for specific business problems are not reusable in a fluid business landscape.
2. We encounter different behaviours for the same entity more often than we encounter new entities.