In the broadest sense, a platform is any foundational technology, system, or business model that allows other products, services, or interactions to be built and run on top of it. Instead of just delivering a single end-to-end task, a platform acts as a reusable foundation or intermediary that simplifies processes and connects different groups.
Because the term is used across multiple industries, it generally falls into four main categories: 1. Technology & Computing Platforms
In IT and software development, a platform provides the hardware, operating system, or environment needed for applications to run.
Operating Systems: Environments like Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS provide the foundation, APIs, and rules that let developers build and run software.
Cloud & Infrastructure: Services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure act as platforms providing the computing power, storage, and networking layers for businesses to host their digital infrastructure.
Internal Developer Platforms (IDP): Used in platform engineering to consolidate tools and automate environments, allowing engineers to deploy code smoothly without worrying about underlying infrastructure mess. 2. Platform Business Models (Digital Ecosystems)
A platform business model creates value by facilitating direct exchanges between two or more interdependent groups, such as producers and consumers.
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