BT's SDK - Keeping an open mind

BT has published a white paper which outlines the company's approach to SDKs (software development kit) and discusses how and why the power of BT's network has been made available to a wider audience through the use of SDKs.

The white paper, produced by BT Innovate & Design and entitled Keeping an open mind, identifies two key benefits enabled by the development and use of the BT SDK.

Firstly, SDK enables the creation of new eco-systems and business models in which third party developers, customers, suppliers and others can use BT's SDKs to create their own products and services on BT's core platform.

Secondly, SDK helps to achieve cost reduction through the re-use of processes, platforms and data to create new applications.

Jason Cook, IT director, BT Innovate & Design, explained: "SDK is all about simplification, re-use and doing things faster, better and cheaper. One key area where BT is focusing its SDK approach is on the company's internal IT platform estate allowing underlying technologies and costs to be shared."

"Real efficiencies are being achieved by utilising existing processes, platforms and data to create new applications and solutions. This means that we are now realising an architecture that will be around 80 per cent data driven. This in turn enables integration between various platforms to be significantly improved resulting in faster product and service development."

"But," continued Jason, "in addition, the SDK method also fosters greater collaboration and communication between BT and its customers and other parties. The result is that high quality products and services can be created far more quickly. For example, innovative services such as Salesforce.com CRM for small and medium enterprises and the extension, Ribbit for Salesforce, have been built using BT's SDK. Because we are leveraging BT's SDK as it iteratively improves, our Global Services business is showing a significant improvement in how it can turn up service for our large multinational and enterprise customers."

Jason added: "It's fair to say that BT's move towards an SDK-driven environment is a huge challenge and we are on a constant learning curve. Our approach though has to be iterative, especially given the company's complex and disparate legacy IT estate. Adopting this approach means that we improve in smaller more achievable steps at a time that directly contributes to our business value, rather than attempt a more risky big bang tactic."

Right first time

"However, as the white paper explains, we've come a long way. SDK has allowed us to become more agile, delivering products and services to market much more quickly. Meanwhile quality and getting things 'right first time' has improved greatly and the cost of rolling out solutions has been reduced because of agile development."

Jason concluded: "BT is undergoing a significant transformation as a business as we strive to become more agile and more innovative. I believe the SDK approach and philosophy is right at the heart of that transformation."

BT Innovate & Design - White Paper: Keeping an open mind