MACH myths debunked - Separate facts from fiction
Modular Web
MACH is a term that has come up over the last two years. There is a buzz around the term even though not that many people are currently using a MACH architecture. Many people find it interesting and believe in the philosophy behind the product, but are hesitant to start implementing a MACH. This is due to misconceptions surrounding the MACH architecture, which unfortunately results in people not exploring the advantages that MACH has to offer. There are many myths regarding MACH, and debunking these myths can give us a sense of clarity.
A MACH architecture creates an open and modular environment that allows businesses to embrace innovation and adapt to change faster with fewer risks. MACH stands for Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless.
Myth 1: Implementing a MACH architecture is too complex for my organization
Implementing a MACH architecture sounds complex. Where do you start, which microservices should you implement and what components will be needed? Hand in hand goes the philosophy that when implementing a MACH architecture you’ll need to do a whole redo of your platform, but this can’t be less true. MACH reduces the complexity of software development by making the components modular and reusable. This way, teams can reuse the same technology and can focus on specific aspects of an application. Moreover, using MACH, businesses can create a distributed architecture that allows them to scale better and faster.
Myth 2: MACH/Composable architecture is too complicated
MACH is based on a modular architecture, making it easy to integrate different components and customize them based on the organization’s needs. Additionally, many cloud providers offer services that can help organizations quickly set up and deploy a MACH architecture. Furthermore, many libraries, frameworks, and tools are available to help organizations with their MACH implementations. For example, microservices are designed to perform a single function like checkout or a wishlist. When creating an e-commerce-based MACH architecture the microservices can offer endless possibilities and can be added indefinitely.Needless to say, you do need to be careful not to add too many services to keep track of them.
Myth 3: A MACH architecture is expensive
Contrary to popular belief, MACH is not expensive. In fact, the cost savings can be significant. MACH does not require as much infrastructure as traditional architecture, so the overhead costs are lower. Additionally, with MACH, businesses can use cloud-based services, which offer competitive pricing models and are more cost-effective than on-premises solutions. Yes, it is often the case that the implementation timeline will be longer and the deals can be more expensive. Still, if it is done right the ROI will make it worth it in the long run.
Myth 4: Improved speed is the only benefit of a MACH architecture
Actually, improved speed is one of the many benefits of a MACH architecture. The landscape exists in the cloud, which not only ensures speed but also is flexible and scalable. Developers can build applications that are composed of small, independent services that can be deployed and scaled independently. Moreover, a MACH architecture consists of a decoupled front- and back-end, which results in easy maintenance of complex components. Additionally, when using MACH, organizations can have greater control over their security, as they can choose the services that best fit their security needs. Secondly, because of the modular nature of MACH, organizations can easily identify and fix security issues.
Myth 5: MACH is too technical for my organization
We are not going to deny that having a MACH architecture can be complicated. You’ll need the help of a development team to make your MACH architecture succeed. But once the MACH is in use by editors and marketers, the architecture will show them its benefits as well. The marketers don’t have to know how to develop, only how to use the chosen system, which UI is not quite different from the monolithic architecture they used before. Additionally, the flexibility and scalability of the systems enhance collaboration, testing, learning, and agility which can all be done quicker than before.