Platform Patterns—Using Proven Principles to Develop Digital Platforms

Abstract

Hardly any other area has as much disruptive potential as digital platforms in the course of digitalization. After serious changes have already taken place in the B2C sector with platforms such as Amazon and Airbnb, the B2B sector is on the threshold to the so-called platform economy. In mechanical engineering, pioneers like GE (PREDIX) and Claas (365FarmNet) are trying to get their hands on the act. This is hardly a promising option for small and medium-sized companies, as only a few large companies will survive. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are already facing the threat of losing direct consumer contact and becoming exchangeable executers. In order to prevent this, it is important to anticipate at an early stage which strategic options exist for the future platform economy and which adjustments to the product program should already be initiated today. Basically, medium-sized companies in particular lack a strategy for an advantageous entry into the future platform economy.The paper presents different approaches to master the challenges of participating in the platform economy by using platform patterns. Platform patterns represent proven principles of already existing platforms. We show how we derived a catalogue with 37 identified platform patterns. The catalogue has a generic design and can be customized for a specific use case. The versatility of the catalogue is underlined by three possible applications: (1) platform ideation, (2) platform development, and (3) platform characterization.

Licensing policy and platform models of telemedicine: A multi-case study from China

“…A platform model describes in an abstract way how platforms generate value for suppliers and demanders ( 38 ). Using models can master the challenges of developing digital platforms, which represent proven principles of already established platforms ( 39 , 40 ). The different platform models can be used to analyze their sustainable value creation potential and business principles ( 41 ).…”

DINNP-U: A Design Process for Digital Innovation Platforms In Energy Sector Companies

“…Currently, almost no area has as much disruptive potential as digital platforms when it comes to the digital transformation of the organization (Drewel, et al, 2021). The use of patterns of digital platforms was reviewed to be able to create and follow a series of steps or stages, and achieve to devise, design and characterize a platform (Drewel, et al, 2021).…”

“…Currently, almost no area has as much disruptive potential as digital platforms when it comes to the digital transformation of the organization (Drewel, et al, 2021). The use of patterns of digital platforms was reviewed to be able to create and follow a series of steps or stages, and achieve to devise, design and characterize a platform (Drewel, et al, 2021). Different approaches to participate in the platform economy are presented using platform patterns, which represent proven principles of existing platforms (Drewel, et al, 2021).…”

“…There are three possible applications of the catalog that allows: (a) Ideation of a platform; (b) Development of a platform; (c) Characterization of a platform (Drewel, et al, 2021).…”

“…Each design domain is characterized by guiding questions that help to decide which patterns are applicable. (Drewel, et al, 2021). And Wortmann (et al, 2020) provides the logical steps or stages for the generation of a platform.…”