We are diving into the market of IDPs…
- What are they?
- Why do we need it/them?
- How can we optimize what we spend on it?
First, it's important to know the two variations of IDP acronyms, Internal Developer PLATFORMS and Internal Developer PORTALS. Since IDP is often co-mingled to mean both (or either) Internal Developer Platform or Internal Developer Portal, we’ll use an analogy to help describe the difference. Imagine a software development team as a well-oiled machine. The Internal Developer Platform (IDPf) is the engine room, providing the core functionality that powers everything. It houses all the essential tools – code repositories, build systems, testing frameworks – like the powerful engines and machinery that drive a ship.
The Internal Developer Portal (IDP), on the other hand, is the bridge. It acts as the central hub for developers, offering a user-friendly interface to access and navigate the functionalities offered by the IDPf. Think of it as the captain's deck, providing clear controls, helpful guides, and a central point for communication and collaboration – all to ensure the development crew can utilize the engine room's power effectively.
In a nutshell, the IDPf provides the raw power, while the IDP makes that power accessible and steers the development process smoothly. They work together to create a productive and efficient software development environment.
Let's break down Internal Developer Portals, illuminate some major players in the IDP space, and show you how to save:
Internal Developer Portals (IDPs) - Current State, and Future Outlook:
Internal Developer Portals are a relatively new entry to the Market (the most mature of applications mentioned here being founded in 2018). That doesn’t mean they haven’t firmly entrenched themselves in DevOps teams across an abundance of organizations. Adoption rates within development heavy organizations are skyrocketing. From Gartner’s feature of IDPs in their “Gartner’s Hype Cycle for Software Engineering 2023” to Port’s 2024 compilation entitled “The 2024 State of Internal Developer Portal Report”, there is a clear hype surrounding IDPs, their adoption, and subsequent implementation. Port referenced in their Internal Developer Portal Report that 85% of respondents had either started implementing a Dev Portal (50%) or were planning to start implementing one in the next year (35%). That doesn't happen by accident. So, what has everyone so gung-ho to implement IDPs? I believe the main reason is developer productivity, specifically, the lack of available platform engineering and lead time to deploy software to production. The old adage, “time is money”, anyone?
As proof of Concepts become more readily available in the marketplace, NET(net) clients and organizations alike are further researching IDPs market viability, leading me to believe that 2024 is a swing year for IDPs. Will IDPs continue to see the increasing adoption/implementation rates that 2023 yielded? That depends on how these solutions continue to position themselves. Is this a product that compliments an Internal Developer Platform, drives enhanced developer productivity, and aligns developer and engineering best practices (not to mention numerous other benefits)? Or is this just another hype train coming to the end of the station? I believe the year 2024 decides their fate.
One thing to note about Internal Developer Portal adoption, respondents in Port’s 2024 report suggests that only 33% of their respondents are using portals to “drive engineering standards”. While on the surface, that might not seem concerning, one of the primary benefits to IDPs is the developer's enablement to support their software and engineering standards all encompassed in one system. If Developers aren’t using IDPs for their primary intended uses, could IDPs be too challenging to maintain? In a similar light, Internal Developer Platforms (not Portals) have engineering teams dumbfounded on how exactly to maintain their system without extensive upkeep. While Portals provide an overall better User Experience, this minority is likely experiencing growing pains as users continue to implement these programs into their everyday routines. It is important to watch these statistics, as this will be a telltale sign whether IDPs are here to stay. Though, I am inclined to believe that IDPs will continue their impressive performance in the market well into 2024 and beyond.
In this article, I outline the factors to consider when choosing an IDP, Internal Developer Portal providers that we have seen our clients successfully implement and delve into the future innovations that we foresee the IDP space taking. Not to mention, how we can help you save.
Factors to Consider When Choosing and IDP:
When choosing an Internal Developer Portal (IDP), there are several key factors to consider. These factors will help organizations make an informed decision that aligns with their specific needs and goals.
- Firstly, it is important to evaluate the features and functionality offered by different IDPs. Consider the ability to customize the portal to match your organization's branding, the availability of robust documentation and API references, and the integration capabilities with existing development tools and platforms.
- Secondly, scalability and performance should be considered. As your organization grows and the number of developers using the portal increases, it is crucial to ensure that the IDP can handle the load and provide a seamless experience. Look for IDPs that offer scalability options and have a proven track record of high performance.
- Security is another critical factor to consider when choosing an IDP. Developers may be working with sensitive data and intellectual property, so it is essential to choose an IDP that prioritizes security measures such as encryption, access controls, and audit trails.
- Additionally, consider the user experience and ease of navigation within the IDP. Developers should be able to quickly find the resources they need without getting lost in a complex interface. Look for IDPs that offer intuitive navigation and a user-friendly interface.
- Lastly, consider the support and community surrounding the IDP. Having access to a responsive support team and an active community of developers can greatly enhance the development experience. Look for IDPs that offer comprehensive support options, including documentation, forums, and developer communities.
IDPs We Are Seeing Clients Implement
OpsLevel - https://www.opslevel.com/
Founded in 2018, The OpsLevel internal developer portal helps your team ship fast without risking your software standards.
Cortex - https://www.cortex.io/
Founded in 2019, Cortex is the internal developer portal that cuts noise for developers with paved paths to production. Catalog, score, and drive action to improve software.
Port - https://www.getport.io/
Founded in 2021, Port is a developer experience, resulting in better quality, security & cost control as well as faster onboarding and velocity.
Rely - https://www.rely.io/
Founded in 2020, Rely helps software companies with distributed architectures efficiently deliver high-quality software at scale.
Configure8 - https://www.configure8.io/
Configure8, founded in 2021, is an internal developer portal that helps your developers move faster and build better software via self-serve access to the knowledge and functionality they need.
Innovations in IDPs
As technology continues to advance, Internal Developer Portals (IDPs) are also evolving to meet the changing needs of organizations and developers. Here are some future trends and innovations to keep an eye on in the IDP space:
- Increased Integration Capabilities: IDPs are expected to offer seamless integrations with a wide range of development tools and platforms, allowing developers to work with their preferred tools without any friction.
- AI-powered Assistance: IDPs may incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to provide intelligent recommendations, code analysis, and automated testing, enhancing developer productivity and code quality.
- Enhanced Collaboration Features: IDPs will likely focus on improving collaboration among developers by offering features such as real-time code editing, version control, and integrated communication channels.
- Mobile-First Approach: With the increasing popularity of mobile development, IDPs will prioritize mobile-friendly interfaces and provide mobile SDKs and documentation to support mobile app development.
- DevOps Integration: IDPs will strengthen their integration with DevOps tools and practices, enabling seamless deployment, continuous integration, and automated testing.
NET(net) Can Help
NET(net) specializes in helping client organizations get the best deals possible with their technology supply chains, including IDP investments. We can help you benchmark your costs, identify, and quantify areas of opportunity to harvest value, develop a strategic approach to both take unilateral actions and/or negotiate cooperative improvements and supplier concessions, deliver downward pricing pressures to the negotiation, and help you minimize cost and risk, while maximizing the realization of value and benefit.
Conclusion
IDPs can provide several benefits for client organizations of all sizes, including increased productivity, reduced costs, improved quality, increased agility, and improved customer satisfaction. However, there are also some challenges associated with their use, including complexity, security, cost, and adoption. By carefully considering the factors involved, organizations can choose the right solution or combination of tools for their needs and successfully implement them to improve their software development processes.
About NET(net)
Founded in 2002, NET(net) is the world’s leading IT Investment Optimization firm, helping clients find, get, and keep more economic and strategic value in their technology supply chains. Over the last 20 years, NET(net) has influenced trillions of investment, captured hundreds of billions of value, and has helped clients cost and value optimize all major areas of IT Spend, including XaaS, Cloud, Hardware, Software, Services, Healthcare, Outsourcing, Infrastructure, and Telecommunications, among others. NET(net) has the experience you want, demonstrates the expertise that you need, and delivers the performance you demand and deserve. Contact us at info@netnetweb.com, visit us online at www.netnetweb.com, or call us at +1 (616) 546-3100 to see if we can help you capture more value in your IT investments, agreements, deployments, and relationships.
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