Expanding MACH Certification Scope for Clear Buyer Guidance in a Complex Market

The MACH Alliance was established with a clear mission: to help buyers navigate a complex technology landscape, to sort through the noise and find modern, best of breed technologies that drive business success. The landscape continues to evolve and with that, we are implementing changes to the MACH certification criteria.

We’ve spent the first three months of the year researching enterprise technology buyer requirements and gathering input as part of a certification review we announced in December.

Respondents confirmed the need for clearer guidance in an increasingly intricate market, characterized by market consolidation, changing marketing trends, and modernization efforts by legacy and larger vendors. As MACH solidifies its position as the industry standard, we are committed to meeting that demand effectively.

Recognizing Independent Offerings within Larger Companies

Notably, we are redefining the criteria for company certification. Instead of solely focusing on standalone legal business entities, we are changing the criteria to recognize substantial independent offerings within larger vendors, where the MACH solutions are actively branded, offered and sold separately, and take part in an ecosystem of software from other MACH Certified® vendors. This shift will help us provide a clearer, more comprehensive view of the MACH application and services landscape, offering buyers more choice and the assurance that these solutions will ensure the longevity and adaptability of their technology stack.

By changing our criteria to accommodate for this, we stand by the importance of MACH principles while creating a clear path for Software Vendors, Enablers and Systems Integrators with a committed, distinguishable MACH offering.

Understanding Buyer Perspectives

At the heart of this review were countless discussions within the MACH community, and a comprehensive survey to gather end-users' perspectives. We received 102 responses from enterprise technology buyers in the UK, USA and Germany. Through this survey, we sought to gauge the value placed on existing MACH certifications, identify any perceived limitations, and explore desired areas of evolution.

Key findings from the survey highlight the evolving complexities buyers face in today's market. While the majority recognized the importance of certification, respondents expressed a growing need for guidance in navigating a landscape characterized by a mix of legacy systems, MACH Certified® technologies, and emerging product innovations. Notably, buyers emphasized the importance of MACH architectural principles and vendor interoperability, hallmarks guaranteed by our MACH certification - the sole industry standard offering such assurances. As such, enterprise technology buyers want to see the MACH Alliance play a more active role in helping them navigate this complex landscape, including:

1. Creating the know-how and awareness for buyers to distinguish MACH-washing from MACH-compatible solutions

2. Helping buyers to navigate the landscape as new and innovative product technologies emerge

3. Providing a more comprehensive and realistic view of the total landscape

Independent Brands

To maintain clarity and uphold MACH principles, we outline five specific requirements for independent brands seeking certification:

1. Distinct Brand and Identity: Independent brands must possess a distinct brand identity, separate from other offerings within the parent company. The parent company will not use the sub-brand’s relationship with the MACH Alliance in any marketing or other content.
2. Distinct Product(s) and/or Services: The brand should offer distinct products or services, separate from the parent company offering, showcasing its unique value proposition and MACH credentials.
3. Independent brand Executive Team: To ensure autonomy, brands must have their own dedicated leadership team.
4. External Brand Presence: The brand product/s or service/s should be marketed and sold independently, with its own external-facing presence and website.
5. Adherence to MACH Principles: Certified brands must align with the open and 'best of breed' approach advocated by the MACH Alliance demonstrated through customer examples. This also includes demonstrating interoperability with products and engaging in thought leadership and strategic partnerships.
   
   

Examples of criteria applied

The table below provides potential outcomes for some example applicants showing how the new criteria can be applied. Sample applicants have been anonymized, but represent acquired past members, previously rejected applicants, and new applicants. This would be in addition to a 90% pass of existing MACH standards (MACH architecture and open and best of breed criteria).

These changes mark a significant shift in certification principles, ensuring complete transparency with MACH buyers regarding available offerings in the market. By embracing independent brands within larger companies, we expand choice for buyers building composable technology architectures, with the peace of mind that the solutions meet MACH standards. Through this initiative, we are giving buyers the clarity they need to navigate an increasingly complex market, while offering companies a clear route and a roadmap for certification.

We welcome your valuable feedback on these changes. The application process for prospective members seeking assessment against these criteria will open on May 1st. Get in touch via info@machalliance.org to ask questions and share your thoughts.