Retailers struggle to keep up with changing customer expectations because their rigid commerce platforms can't be easily changed. But many retailers have found there’s an alternative approach that gives them the agility to innovate and keep up with customer demands.
The MACH Alliance was formed to advocate for composable, open, and future-proof architecture that’s microservices-based, API-first, cloud-native SaaS, and headless (hence the acronym MACH). The Alliance’s momentum is surging, and as of May 2023, there are 80-member companies, which are categorized as Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Startup ISVs, System Integrators (SIs) and Enablers. Although there are a host of companies delivering MACH-based technology, there’s often less coverage of what the approach demands.Enablers: Providing the Ecosystem for MACH ArchitectureThe Enabler membership category applies to organizations that facilitate the delivery of a MACH service or application. Unlike Vendor members, which produce an application that enterprises can buy, an Enabler member offers a service or technology that provides the foundation for enterprises wanting to build application architecture in line with MACH principles.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) joined the MACH Alliance’s Enabler category in January 2022 as the first public cloud provider. The world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud, AWS offers over 200 fully featured services from data centers globally. It serves millions of customers, including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies. Customers choose AWS to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster.
AWS shares the Alliance’s belief that modern commerce applications require flexible and scalable solutions that can keep up with the rapid pace of change. The MACH approach—in which every component is pluggable, scalable, and replaceable, and can be continuously improved through agile development—will help consumer brands meet evolving business requirements. By using microservices, a business can break down complex processes into smaller, more manageable components, which makes for easier maintenance and updates. API-first design allows for seamless integration with other systems, and cloud-native deployment provides scalability and reliability. A headless approach enables front-end developers to use the tools they’re most comfortable with, while backend developers can focus on building robust business logic.Building Your Future Tech Stack with a MACH EnablerWe spoke with Krithika Ganesamoorthi, Sr. Manager, Solutions Architecture at AWS, about why the Enabler category is an important one for companies considering MACH for their future tech stack. She also serves as co-chair of the MACH Alliance Technical Council.
Why did you join the MACH Alliance?
AWS believes that microservices built using well-defined interface and lightweight APIs are an advantageous architectural and organizational approach to software development. This approach empowers organizations to innovate faster and improve performance, security, and reliability—all while lowering their total cost of ownership.
Can you tell me about your experience so far? What do you see as the key benefits?
Industry-wide collaboration is important for advocating and socializing the importance of frameworks, patterns, and standards. AWS is part of MACH’s Technology and Marketing Councils, and we draw value in collaborating with like-minded experts in the industry to facilitate innovation and better support customers to deliver the best experiences for their own customers.
What have been some of the highlights of your membership experience?
Since the launch of AWS in 2006, we’ve encouraged retailers to use modern architecture to facilitate rapid change and innovation with their websites and software applications. This includes the use of microservices, APIs, and a build-for-the-cloud design. The MACH Alliance is helping to educate companies on the benefits of this approach and advocate for its wider use in the marketplace. We’re excited to be a part of this effort. In addition, we’re seeing a lot of synergy with our expert partners on key retail and consumer brands. In fact, we’ve found that over 50 percent of MACH Alliance members are also in the AWS Partner Network, and 70 percent of MACH members run on AWS.
Do you feel that awareness of the MACH approach has advanced among end users over the past few years, and are you seeing an increase in adoption?
The modernization of ecommerce is happening quickly, and consumers expect a seamless brand experience across all channels. Composable commerce is top of mind for customers, and as they look to modernize their monoliths to a microservices-based solution, they use MACH as a guideline to build modern platforms. An example is The Very Group (read the story).
How do you see the role of enablers like AWS evolving as MACH becomes mainstream?
Customers are seeking the right technology partners, and AWS provides the most reliable infrastructure with the deepest set of services. Ninety percent of what we build at AWS is driven by what customers tell us. Being part of the MACH Alliance gives us an avenue to where we can focus our innovation efforts on customer needs.
What would you tell potential future Enabler members about joining the MACH Alliance?
MACH Alliance is a like-minded community of technology companies aiming to change the paradigm for next-generation open technologies. Enablers are a critical component in providing the necessary infrastructure to help organizations deliver a MACH service or application. We need enablers to be an integral part of this community to help organizations navigate through the complexities as they modernize their platforms and innovate for consumers.
To join the movement and sign up as an Enabler, check out the members page and these resources:
Learn more about MACH on AWS »
Architectural guidance for building composable MACH solutions on AWS »Build modern commerce MACH solutions on AWS »
ALDO Group solves their OMS challenges with Fluent Commerce on AWS »Authors:
Krithika Ganesamoorthi
Krithika Ganesamoorthi is a Sr. Manager, Solutions Architecture at AWS and MACH Alliance Technical Council co-chair. Leveraging her retail experience, she is responsible for solutions architecture and technical strategy for Retail/CPG technology and consulting partners on AWS. She recruits, nurtures, and helps partners transform their solutions on AWS. She is an advocate for partners within Amazon Retail, AWS Sales, and AWS Product teams.
Renata Melnyk
Renata Melnyk is the global lead of the CPG & Retail Industries Partner Marketing at AWS and MACH Alliance Marketing Council representative. Renata helps AWS for Retail and CPG industry business leaders and AWS Partners to jointly plan, build, and run strategic go-to-market initiatives at global scale. Renata Melnyk’s AWS experience spans over a decade of working across core business areas, including AWS WW Public Sector, AWS Startups, AWS Partner Organization, AWS Product Marketing, and AWS Industry Partner Marketing Organizations.
