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Platform Categories Overview

This document provides the framework for organizing ConnectSoft's expanding portfolio of 100+ SaaS platforms into logical categories. It is written for product managers, architects, sales teams, and customers navigating the platform ecosystem.

The category framework enables: - Discoverability - Customers can find platforms by functional area - Marketing - Targeted messaging and positioning by category - Development Prioritization - Organize roadmap and resource allocation - Integration Patterns - Understand how platforms work together within categories

Note

As we expand from 4 to 100+ platforms, this category framework provides structure and organization. Platforms may belong to multiple categories or span category boundaries.

Category Structure

ConnectSoft's platforms are organized into 12 primary categories:

Infrastructure & Core Services

Foundational services that most SaaS applications need. These platforms provide the building blocks for cloud-native applications.

Examples: Identity, Audit, Config, API Gateway, Message Queue, Event Bus

See: Infrastructure & Core Services

Data & Analytics

Data management, analytics, and business intelligence platforms. Enable data-driven decision making and insights.

Examples: Data Warehouse, Business Intelligence, ETL Pipeline, Search & Indexing

See: Data & Analytics

Communication & Collaboration

Communication, messaging, and collaboration tools. Enable real-time and asynchronous communication.

Examples: Email Service, SMS/MMS, Push Notifications, Chat, Video Conferencing

See: Communication & Collaboration

Payments & Billing

Financial transactions, billing, and subscription management. Handle all aspects of monetization.

Examples: Payment Processing, Subscription Management, Billing & Invoicing, Tax Calculation

See: Payments & Billing

Security & Compliance

Security, compliance, and governance platforms. Protect data and ensure regulatory compliance.

Examples: Secrets Management, Encryption Service, Certificate Management, Compliance Management

See: Security & Compliance

Workflow & Automation

Business process automation and workflow management. Streamline operations and reduce manual work.

Examples: Workflow Engine, Business Process Management, Task Management, Integration Platform

See: Workflow & Automation

Content & Media

Content management, media processing, and delivery. Manage and serve digital content at scale.

Examples: Content Management, Digital Asset Management, Media Processing, Video Streaming

See: Content & Media

Customer & Relationship Management

Customer data, relationships, and engagement. Build and maintain customer relationships.

Examples: CRM, Customer Data Platform, Customer Support, Help Desk, Feedback Management

See: Customer & Relationship Management

Marketing & Growth

Marketing automation, campaigns, and growth tools. Acquire, engage, and retain customers.

Examples: Email Marketing, Marketing Automation, A/B Testing, Lead Management, SEO

See: Marketing & Growth

HR & Talent Management

Human resources, talent, and workforce management. Manage employees and talent lifecycle.

Examples: HR Management, Applicant Tracking System, Performance Management, Learning Management

See: HR & Talent Management

E-Commerce & Retail

Online commerce, retail, and marketplace platforms. Enable online selling and transactions.

Examples: E-Commerce Platform, Shopping Cart, Inventory Management, Order Management, Marketplace

See: E-Commerce & Retail

Vertical-Specific Solutions

Industry-specific solutions tailored to particular sectors. Address unique needs of specific industries.

Examples: - Healthcare (EHR, Telemedicine, Medical Billing) - Finance (Banking, Lending, Investment Management) - Insurance (Policy Management, Claims, Underwriting) - IT (ITSM, IT Asset Management, DevOps) - Education (LMS, SIS, Assessment) - Legal (Case Management, Document Review) - Real Estate (Property Management, Listings) - Manufacturing (MES, Supply Chain) - And more...

See: Vertical-Specific Solutions

Category Relationships

Categories are not isolated. Many platforms integrate across categories:

  • Infrastructure platforms support all other categories
  • Security & Compliance platforms protect all other platforms
  • Data & Analytics platforms consume data from all categories
  • Workflow & Automation platforms orchestrate processes across categories
graph TB
    subgraph Infrastructure["Infrastructure & Core Services"]
        Identity[Identity Platform]
        Audit[Audit Platform]
        Config[Config Platform]
        Gateway[API Gateway]
    end

    subgraph Security["Security & Compliance"]
        Secrets[Secrets Management]
        Encryption[Encryption Service]
    end

    subgraph Data["Data & Analytics"]
        Warehouse[Data Warehouse]
        BI[Business Intelligence]
    end

    subgraph Workflow["Workflow & Automation"]
        WorkflowEngine[Workflow Engine]
    end

    subgraph Business["Business Categories"]
        Payments[Payments & Billing]
        CRM[Customer & Relationship Management]
        Marketing[Marketing & Growth]
        ECommerce[E-Commerce & Retail]
    end

    Infrastructure -->|Supports| Business
    Infrastructure -->|Supports| Security
    Infrastructure -->|Supports| Data
    Security -->|Protects| Infrastructure
    Security -->|Protects| Business
    Data -->|Consumes from| Infrastructure
    Data -->|Consumes from| Business
    Workflow -->|Orchestrates| Infrastructure
    Workflow -->|Orchestrates| Business
Hold "Alt" / "Option" to enable pan & zoom

Platform Discovery

By Category

Browse platforms by functional category to find solutions for specific needs.

By Use Case

Some platforms serve multiple use cases across categories.

By Integration

Find platforms that integrate with platforms you already use.

By Industry

Vertical-specific solutions address industry-specific requirements.

Platform Bundles

Platforms within categories can be bundled for: - Category Bundles - Multiple platforms from the same category (e.g., "Security Bundle") - Industry Bundles - Platforms tailored to specific industries (e.g., "Healthcare Bundle") - Starter Bundles - Essential platforms for new SaaS products