What are software-defined products?
Software-defined products are built around embedded software that drives their core functionalities. By prioritizing software innovation, these products enable enhanced performance, adaptability, and integration, ultimately delivering greater value to consumers.
Unlike traditional products that are based around hardware and physical components, software-defined products can be easily updated and reconfigured using software, enabling them to adapt to changing needs and environments, and deliver a better customer experience. Over-the-air updates and different functionalities as a service allow for flexibility and automation after a product is in the hands of the consumer.
Examples of software-defined products can be found everywhere—from cars to devices like smart appliances, where the embedded software plays a crucial role in delivering core functionalities. Software-defined products are everywhere from fitness trackers and smartwatches to refrigerators, thermostats, cars, and pacemakers. These products have become part of everyday consumer life.
Why are software-defined products important?
Software defined products can change the way that businesses develop and deliver their products. Shifting the focus from the physical components to software can improve overall product development. Here are some of the reasons they are important:
- Flexibility and adaptability: By focusing on software, organizations can be adapted and reconfigured more quickly to meet customer needs.
- Improved performance: Software development is iterative and can be continuously improved, even after a product is in the hands of the consumer.
- Innovation and speed: The flexibility and adaptability of software-defined product development help organizations innovate more quickly without needing to change the physical components.
- Ability to integrate: Interoperability is a fundamental benefit of software. It can greatly enhance the functionality of a product.
- Cost efficiency: Instead of updating the physical components of a product, which can be time-consuming and expensive, software can be updated quickly and efficiently.
The characteristics of software-defined products
The main characteristics of software-defined products are:
- Configurability
- Automation
- Interoperability
- Enhanced performance
- User-centric design
How are software-defined products impacting product transformation?
Software-defined products are impacting product transformation in significant ways. When product development shifts to a software-first approach, teams can build more innovative products much more quickly. Products can be updated in the hands of consumers with over-the-air updates and different options as a service. Now, products can continue to change after they’re in the market, meaning customers can continue to get new value after purchase. Feature functionality can be turned on and off to suit consumer needs, and different features as a service are possible.