There are two very different types of platforms: digital platforms in technology, and physical platforms in other fields.
Digital Platforms
A digital platform is an ecosystem designed to enable different groups to co-create value through “plug-and-play” capabilities. The technology infrastructure of the platform touches customers and developers beyond the firm’s boundaries. LinkedIn, FaceBook, Google and Amazon—in fact most technology businesses—have platform-based business models.
Physical Platforms
Physical platforms in other industries refer to product family or product portfolio platforms intended to reduce manufacturing and development costs for new products. In this case a platform is a common architecture, collection of assets, component designs, subsystems, or other elements shared by several products.
Example Automotive Platform Strategies
The automotive industry is well-known for its use of shared platforms across various car models.… Read the rest