Strategic Platform Expansion

For a technology company, deciding which platforms to support is a critical strategic decision. A key principle for growth is to be present where the customers are, which often requires expanding beyond an initial platform.

Considerations for Platform Expansion:

• Market Share and Trends: It's crucial to monitor the market to understand which platforms are gaining or losing ground. A platform with a large and growing user base (like Android in its early days) represents a significant, untapped market.
• Customer Demand: Are potential customers asking for your product on other platforms? This is a strong signal that an expansion is warranted.
• Competitive Landscape: Is the new platform an uncontested "blue ocean," or is it already crowded with competitors?
• Resource Allocation: Supporting multiple platforms increases development and maintenance overhead. The potential return must justify the investment.
• Avoiding Dead Ends: It's equally important to recognize and avoid investing in dying platforms (e.g., BlackBerry). This requires careful analysis and a degree of foresight.

The decision to expand to a new platform should be a deliberate, strategic move to capture a new segment of the market, not just a reaction. A successful expansion can unlock a new phase of growth for the company.