Platform strategy

Extracted Attributes

• Economic Impact

  Platform organizations grow 2.7 times faster than competition

• VW Platform Name

  MLB (Modularer L$ngsbaukasten)

• VW Strategy Goal

  Shared modular construction for longitudinal, front-engined vehicles

• Unicorn Prevalence

  60% of billion-dollar startups are platform organizations

• Tech Strategy Focus

  Global diffusion of technology and ecosystem value

• VW Build Time Reduction

  30%

• Key Fixed Components (VW MLB)

  Pedal box, firewall, front wheel placement, and windscreen angle

Timeline

• Audi introduces the MLB platform with the launch of the Audi A5. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2007-01-01

• Volkswagen Group officially announces the MLB platform strategy. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2012-01-01

• End of the period where the MLB platform was used exclusively by Audi and Porsche. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2015-12-31

• Volkswagen introduces the MLB-based Phideon luxury sedan for the Chinese market. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2016-02-01

• Projected date for 2.77 billion people to shop online through digital platforms. (Source: Wharton Online Course)

  2025-01-01

Volkswagen Group MLB platform

The Volkswagen Group MLB platform is the company's platform strategy, announced in 2012, for shared modular construction of its longitudinal, front-engined automobiles. It was developed by Audi and first introduced in 2007 on the Audi A5 then, chronologically, on the Audi A4, Audi Q5, Audi A8, Audi A7, Audi A6, Porsche Macan and the second generation Audi Q7 (MLB Evo). Until 2015, only Audi and Porsche were using the MLB platform. In February 2016, Volkswagen introduced the MLB based Phideon luxury sedan built and sold uniquely in the Chinese market. Volkswagen Group markets the strategy under the code name MLB, which stands for Modularer Längsbaukasten, translating from German to "Modular Longitudinal Matrix". MLB is one strategy within VW's overall MB (Modulare Baukasten or modular matrix) program which also includes the similar MQB strategy for its vehicles with transverse engine orientation. While a model may be said to use an MLB platform, it is not so much a platform per se, but rather a system for introducing rationality across disparate platforms that share engine orientation — regardless of model, vehicle size or brand. Thus, MLB uses a core "matrix" of components across a wide variety of platforms — for example, sharing a common engine-mounting core for all drivetrains (e.g., gasoline, diesel, natural gas, hybrid and purely electric). The only things that are non-variable are the pedal box, firewall, and front wheel placement, as well as the windscreen angle; other than this, the vehicle can be stretched and shaped to fit any body style, size range, or drivetrain required. As well as reducing weight, the concept allows diverse models, including those from the company's various brands, to be manufactured at the same plant, further saving cost. Ulrich Hackenberg, former chief of Volkswagen’s Research and Development, called MB a "strategic weapon." Jalopnik said "the biggest feature is the uniform position of all motors and transmissions" and that "by fitting all motors into the same place (the company) hope(s) to cut down on engineering costs and weight/complexity when porting the car over to other models." The British magazine, Car, said "the idea heralds a return to basic principles of mass production in an industry where over the last 100 years, complexity has spiralled out of control. By creating a standardised, interchangeable set of parts from which to build a variety of cars, (the company) plans to cut the time taken to build a car by 30%."

Web Search Results

• Platform strategy, explained | MIT Sloan

  ## What is platform strategy? A platform strategy is an approach to entering a market which revolves around the task of allowing platform participants to benefit from the presence of others. In traditional competitive strategy, it is generally assumed that customers can determine their willingness to pay for the product or service independently. This assumption breaks down when studying platforms, as platform participants’ participation is interdependent with the choices of other users. This is why the formulation of a platform strategy requires somewhat distinct tools to help platform entrepreneurs and managers tackle the challenges of value creation and value capture. [...] “Platform strategy is, in some sense, one of the most ambitious ways of entering a market you could have, because it requires coordinating the behaviors of multiple parties that might not know each other, that might not even want to know each other,” Azoulay says. “You’re sort of this orchestra conductor, and as a result of being very ambitious, it also fails very often.” “You’re right to be platform-curious, but you shouldn’t necessarily be platform-envious,” he says. [...] By Zach Church ## What is a platform? Platforms are environments, computing or otherwise, that connect different groups and derive benefits from others participating in the platform. The underlying concept covers companies from Google to Facebook to video game platform Steam to Taser (more on that later). “’Platform Strategy’ is one of our few courses where participants can spend an hour debating on what they are learning about is,” MIT Sloan Professor Catherine Tucker tells students in her executive education course on platform strategy. “Don’t get hung up on definitions. Being a platform or not is more of a range than a set point.” ## What is platform strategy?

• Platform Strategy - Bain & Company

  ### Platform options ### Platform options A platform strategy is a holistic approach that fosters interactions and transactions among diverse users, facilitating a dynamic ecosystem of value exchange. Although the term platform is often used broadly, we use it specifically to indicate products, services, standards, or tools that enable partners, customers, users, and the platform owner to collectively create value. [...] A critical step in formulating your platform strategy is to understand how and where you can play. Your first big decision is whether to create your own platform or, instead, find the right balance between partnering with an existing platform, competing without a platform, and simply taking protective measures against platforms. For those that choose to launch a new platform, we believe there are four distinct types: ##### [...] We offer clients holistic support that applies a mix of our comprehensive expertise, tailored to the company's needs. We can address every phase of your platform strategy, from a big-picture analysis of your current position and future ambition to a fast, tactical way to execute on specific initiatives. We help you develop the right go-to-market plan, acquire or partner when it makes sense, and build out the technology infrastructure that is critical to your platform success. Our deep expertise in advanced analytics ensures a data-driven approach to every key decision, and we'll help you avoid organizational pitfalls that so often derail transformation efforts through programmatic guidance that keeps every aspect of your platform strategy on track.

• Platform Strategy Online Course at Wharton

  # Platform Strategy: Build, Grow, Monetize, and Lead Digital Platforms ## Overview Platform strategies and ecosystems have emerged as differentiating factors for organizations that want to thrive, with evident results. In fact, organizations that future-proof themselves with the right platform strategy grow 2.7 times faster than the competition. Wharton’s Platform Strategy program is ideal for product management and business strategy professionals, entrepreneurs, or C-suite executives looking to leverage successful platform ecosystem strategies to drive digital transformation and grow their organizations exponentially. Learn to craft a platform strategy based on successful industry examples, evaluate platform designs, and identify growth and monetization opportunities that scale. [...] ### 60% of today’s billion-dollar unicorn startups are platform organizations. ### $ 2.77 B of the world’s population will shop online through platforms by 2025. SOURCE: Financial Times: ## Key Takeaways Wharton’s Platform Strategy: Build, Grow, Monetize, and Lead Digital Platforms program is ideal for professionals and business leaders looking to leverage successful platform ecosystem strategies to grow their organizations exponentially. This program will help you: [...] ## Certificate Upon successful completion of the Platform Strategy: Build, Grow, Monetize, and Lead Digital Platforms program, you will earn a digital certificate of completion from the Wharton School. Note: After successful completion of the online program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wharton School. This online certificate program does not grant academic credit or a degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. ## FAQs

• Data Platform Strategy: Platform Modernization in Practice - Gable.ai

  An effective data platform strategy begins with leveraging information, context, and insights that organizations gain through data platform maturity modeling. These maturity models provide a detailed and structured framework to assess current data capabilities, identify gaps, and align strategies with business goals. ‍ While modeling methodologies vary, when implemented, each generates a consistent set of benefits for data leaders and their organizations. ### Establishing an essential baseline [...] Instead, this article aims to recalibrate data platform strategy more directly as a means of reconceptualizing “maintenance” as the proactive process of ongoing platform modernization. As part of this shift, we aim to define “data platform strategy” as a roadmap that data leaders can use to realize the modernization process in their own organizations, improving overall data quality. ‍ This requires leaders to leverage data platform maturity modeling as a strategic foundation, address common implementation challenges, and embrace key practices for success. ## Why a data platform strategy should begin (and end) with maturity modeling [...] ‍ But implementing a data platform strategy is just the beginning. For data leaders to truly modernize and future-proof their data platforms, integrating data contracts is essential. A best-in-class contract complements robust data architecture to ensure consistent quality, bridging the gap between data producers and consumers to ensure consistent data quality, governance, and alignment with business goals. They also empower teams to prevent downstream data issues, enhance compliance, improve data access, and create scalable, reliable data products. ‍

• Platform Strategy [Leanpub PDF/iPad/Kindle]

  ## Leanpub Header ## Leanpub Navigation Go to Leanpub.comLeanpubStoreReadersAuthorsServices # Platform Strategy Innovation Through Harmonization Gregor Hohpe Gregor Hohpe Developer platforms promise to rewrite the laws of IT physics: they boost innovation through standards; they speed up development while assuring compliance; and they reduce cognitive load without restricting choice. Building such an in-house platform, or even deploying one, is far from easy, though. This book condenses a decade of building and rolling out platforms into practical advice for platform teams and users. 5300+ happy readers! Also as Paperback edition Gregor Hohpe [...] Part I: Understanding Platforms: because "platform" is an overloaded term, this part delineates the types and characteristics of platforms Part II: A Strategy for Platforms: building platforms requires significant investment and stamina. Learn how to articulate your platform strategy for both technology and organization. Part III: In-House Platforms: internal platforms are all the rage. Learn how to build one and how to avoid common pitfalls. Part IV: Designing Platforms: platforms hide a lot of complexity but that means building one isn't trivial. Learn how to make design trade-offs using fruit salads and submarines. .. Part V: Implementing Platforms: drilling deeper yet, this part discusses platform anatomy and architecture blueprints [...] Harvested from a decade of building successful in-house platforms and enabling enterprises to utilize cloud platforms, this book provides a fresh look at what makes platforms work, why they are different from other IT services, and how you can use them to boost developer productivity. Sticky metaphors (“are you building a fruit salad or fruit basket?”; “is your platform sinking or floating?”; “build abstractions not illusions!”) provide actionable design guidance without being lecturing or boring. # Contents The book accompanies you on your platform journey, supplementing architectural rigor with real-life examples::