Presenters
Source
🚀 Blazing a Trail: Vodafone’s API-First Journey to a Composable Future 🌐
Hi everyone! 👋 I’m Soumit, a Digital and Platform Architect at Vodafone UK, and I’m thrilled to share a glimpse into Vodafone’s digital transformation journey. We’re not just keeping pace with change; we’re actively redefining what it means to be a telecom company in 2025 and beyond.
But before we dive in, let’s start with a simple question: How do you connect to the world? It’s more than just turning on your phone; it’s about the myriad ways we interact – news, radio, Google, Alexa, online services. Today, we’re exploring how Vodafone is reimagining that connection, and why APIs are still the key.
The “Monolith of Microservices” & The Need for Change 🧱➡️🧩
For years, the promise of microservices – independent, modular services – seemed like the silver bullet for modernization. We embraced the strangler pattern, microservices architectures, and more. But what happened? We ended up with something I call the “monolith of microservices.” We moved the problem around, not solved it.
Think about it: constantly adapting to changes slows us down and, more importantly, lets our customers down. We realized that transformation isn’t a one-time project, but an ongoing evolution, shaped by demands, budgets, and crises.
So, we shifted our approach. We started partnering, building multifaceted architectures, and focusing on composability. It’s about more than just technology; it’s about adapting to change and keeping our customers happy.
Debunking Telecom Myths & The Rise of Platform Thinking 💡
Let’s face it: telecom has a reputation. “Turn on the tap, data flows.” But that’s a gross simplification. Telecom is the nervous system of our society – powering smart homes, IoT sensors, and enabling remote work. It’s not just about speed; it’s about flexibility, partnership, and platform thinking.
We’re seeing three key trends:
- Flexibility: Adapting to ever-changing customer needs.
- Partnership: Collaborating across industries and teams.
- Platform Thinking: Building reusable components and services.
Vodafone’s Bold Move: Embracing TM Forum’s Open Digital Architecture (ODA) 🤝
At Vodafone, we didn’ve just talked about transformation – we’ve acted on it. We’re adopting TM Forum’s Open Digital Architecture (ODA) and its open APIs across our entire global footprint. This isn’t just a project; it’s a fundamental shift.
What’s the impact?
- Speed: Rapidly onboard partners across markets.
- Consistency: Streamlined approaches for global operations.
- Simplicity: Reduced complexity for both our teams and our customers.
ODA has given us “building blocks” – a way to decompose legacy systems and reduce vendor dependence. It accelerates adoption of new technologies and allows us to evolve into a scalable architecture. It’t about evolving pragmatically, not reinventing the wheel.
Bringing it to Life: Ordering Broadband Services with ODA 💻
Let’s look at a concrete example: ordering broadband services. In the old world, the process was complex, requiring multiple steps and dependencies. With ODA, we’ve decomposed the process into modular APIs:
- Product Catalog API: Manage product offerings.
- Product Order API: Handle order placement.
- Product Order Validation & Management API: Ensure order accuracy.
- Party Management API: Manage customer onboarding.
- Payment Management API: Handle payment processing.
The customer wins with:
- Consistent Experience: No matter how they interact with us.
- Better Deals: Faster availability of services.
This is the power of API-first: build once, use everywhere!
Beyond Telecom: Universal Principles for API-Driven Transformation 🌍
The principles we’re applying at Vodafone aren’t just for telecom. They’re universal. Think about:
- Healthcare: Seamlessly connecting patient records and specialists.
- Financial Services: Simplifying complex product portfolios.
- Logistics: Streamlining supply chain management.
- Manufacturing: Integrating IT and business systems.
ODA provides a proven blueprint for solving these challenges across industries.
Are Your APIs Ready for the Future? ❓
Decades ago, phones were just for making calls. Today, they’re essential for selfies, social media, and so much more. The question isn’t just about having better tools – it’s about how we adapt our thinking and connect to the world.
So, I leave you with this challenge: Are your APIs built to survive the next transformation? Or are they stuck in the past?
Thank you! I’ve included a QR code with more information. Let’s connect and continue the conversation!