As we look toward the future of infrastructure and operations, it’s clear that platform engineering is set to play a critical role in how organizations build and manage their technology systems. The Gartner® Hype Cycle™ for Infrastructure Platform predicts that, “By 2028, more than 50% of infrastructure and operations (I&O) organizations will have formed infrastructure platform engineering (IPE) groups, up from less than 25% in 2024.”
What is Infrastructure Platform Engineering (IPE)?
Infrastructure Platform Engineering (IPE) is the practice of designing, building, and managing the foundational technology systems that support software development and IT operations within an organization. This field focuses on creating a scalable, efficient, and flexible infrastructure that enables development teams to deploy and manage applications more effectively.
Trends in Infrastructure Platform Engineering
Infrastructure Platform Engineering (IPE) is rapidly becoming a cornerstone for I&O teams. In the Priority Matrix for Infrastructure Platforms, 2024, Gartner classifies it as a Transformational technology, predicting 5 to 10 years for its Mainstream adoption. In the Gartner Hype Cycle, IPE is positioned at the “Peak of Inflated Expectations”.
The increasing focus on IPE is fueled by a series of crucial drivers.
Key Growth Drivers:
1. Self-Service and Developer Empowerment
Platform engineering empowers developers with self-service capabilities, allowing them to independently manage and deploy resources via Internal Developer Platforms. This shift enables IT teams to free up time and resources, allowing them to focus on strategic projects.
2. Automation and Standardization
IPE eliminates repetitive, manual tasks involved in provisioning, configuring, and managing infrastructure. This automation accelerates processes and significantly lowers the risk of human error.
As a result, organizations can scale faster, with automated systems effortlessly managing increased workloads.
3. Compliance and Security
IPE ensures consistent policy enforcement and automated security updates across all infrastructure components. Additionally, the automation implemented by IPE improves risk management by minimizing human error and enabling faster incident response through automated protocols.
4. Enhanced API Utilization
With APIs playing a crucial role in modern IT, platform engineering emphasizes utilizing robust, scalable control planes like those found in projects such as kcp. This approach provides developers with extensive tools for managing and extending application functionalities efficiently.
Challenges and Recommendations
To help enterprises overcome these challenges, Kubermatic has developed its own Internal Developer Platform. Visit Kubermatic Developer Platform (KDP) to learn more about how KDP can help your organization maximize developer productivity and accelerate innovation.
Gartner, Hype Cycle for Infrastructure Platforms, 2024, By Dennis Smith, 25 June 2024.
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