--- title: Common Challenges associated with the Composable Enterprise description: Businesses of all sizes are turning to composable architecture. But what are the challenges an organization faces when building a composable enterprise? image: https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Image78-1024x576.jpg --- [![DreamFactory logo](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64ed8da8a866be7a702fbae0/68d51994d3678214b54acb60_dreamfactory-navbar-logo.svg)](https://www.dreamfactory.com/) Products & Services [AI Data Gateway](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview) [Overview Why DreamFactory exists](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview) [Data Gov, Comp, Security Policy enforcement at the API layer](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-data-governance) [Standard API Layer One contract for every backend](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/standard-api-layer) [API Gateway Functionality Routing, auth, rate limits, observability](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/api-gateway-functionality) [Deployment & Integration Self-hosted, cloud, hybrid](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/on-premise-deployment-and-integration) [Developer Productivity Auto-generated, never hand-coded](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-development-accelerated) [AI App Architectures Patterns for RAG, agents, MCP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/enterprise-ai-architectures) AI Data Models [AIOpenAI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/openai) [GGoogle Gemini](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/google-gemini) [CAnthropic Claude](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/anthropic-claude-landing) [LMeta Llama](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/meta-llama) [MMistral AI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mistral) [CoCohere](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/cohere) Services and support [Quickstart Service Packages Expert-led Quickstarts to production](https://www.dreamfactory.com/services-and-support/quickstart-services-packages) API Management [Generate & Manage REST APIs From any database, in seconds](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/generate-rest-apis) [Features Security, scripting, self-hosted & more](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/features) [API Generation The complete guide to auto-generated APIs](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/a-complete-guide-to-api-generation) [API Management Concepts, tools, and best practises](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/what-is-api-management-a-brief-overview-of-api-management-concepts-and-tools?_gl=1*jl0njh*_gcl_au*MjQzMjgwMTc3LjE3ODIzMjI3MzY) Use Cases AI Use Cases [AI Data Access Secure, governed reads for your LLMs](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/ai-data-access) [MCP Server Drop-in Model Context Protocol](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mcp-server) [Legacy Modernization Wrap mainframes with REST](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/legacy-modernization) [Data Governance Audit every call, enforce every policy](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/data-governance) [Customer Case Studies](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies) [Energy Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/energy-snowflake-modernization) [Government Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-mainframe-oracle-modernization) [Government Business Intelligence](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-sql-server-bi-analyst-queries) [Manufacturing Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/steel-manufacturing-sap-erp-modernization) [Financial Services Investor Portal](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/financial-services-sql-server-investor-portal) [Non-Profit Partner Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/non-profit-sql-server-partner-data-sharing) [Professional Services Exec Dashboards](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/professional-services-erp-dashboards) [Education HR and External Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/education-student-hr-sql-server-mysql-external-data-sharing) Industries Industries #### [Healthcare HIPAA-grade APIs across EHR, claims, and labs.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/healthcare) #### [Financial Services Portfolios, partners, and portals on one layer.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/financial-services) #### [Government Modernize mainframes without re-platforming.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/government) #### [Manufacturing SAP, MES, and shop-floor data, governed.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/manufacturing) #### [Spotlight How enterprises run on DreamFactory From healthcare to energy to finance — governance baked into every endpoint. Browse case studies →](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies) Connectors SQL Database [SQL SQL Server](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/sql-server) [OR Oracle](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/oracle) [PG PostgreSQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/postgresql) [My MySQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mysql) NoSQL & Docs [Dy DynamoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/dynamodb) [Do DocumentDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-documentdb) [Mo MongoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mongodb) [Cb CouchDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/couch-db) Cloud Warehouses [S3 S3](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/amazon-s3) [Ab Azureblob](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-blob) [FS FTP/SFTP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/ftp-sftp) [LS Local Storage](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/local-storage) C & SaaS [Sf Salesforce](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/salesforce) [API REST / SOAP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/soap-to-rest) [See all 30+ connectors](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors) [Blog](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/) [FREE 30 Minute Demo](https://www.dreamfactory.com/demo) [![DreamFactory logo](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64ed8da8a866be7a702fbae0/68d51994d3678214b54acb60_dreamfactory-navbar-logo.svg)](https://www.dreamfactory.com/) ![hamburger](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dreamfactory/images/megamenu/menu-hamburger.svg) ![close](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dreamfactory/images/megamenu/close-menu.svg) Back to main menu Products & Services Use Cases Industries Connectors [Blog](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/) [FREE 30 Minute Demo](https://www.dreamfactory.com/demo) [AI Data Gateway](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview) [Overview Why DreamFactory exists](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/overview) [Data Gov, Comp, Security Policy enforcement at the API layer](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-data-governance) [Standard API Layer One contract for every backend](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/standard-api-layer) [API Gateway Functionality Routing, auth, rate limits, observability](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/api-gateway-functionality) [Deployment & Integration Self-hosted, cloud, hybrid](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/on-premise-deployment-and-integration) [Developer Productivity Auto-generated, never hand-coded](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/ai-development-accelerated) [AI App Architectures Patterns for RAG, agents, MCP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/ai-data-gateway/enterprise-ai-architectures) AI Data Models [AIOpenAI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/openai) [GGoogle Gemini](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/google-gemini) [CAnthropic Claude](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/anthropic-claude-landing) [LMeta Llama](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/meta-llama) [MMistral AI](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mistral) [CoCohere](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/cohere) Services and support [Quickstart Service Packages Expert-led Quickstarts to production](https://www.dreamfactory.com/services-and-support/quickstart-services-packages) AI Data Models [Generate & Manage REST APIs From any database, in seconds](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/generate-rest-apis) [Features Security, scripting, self-hosted & more](https://www.dreamfactory.com/api-management/features) [API Generation The complete guide to auto-generated APIs](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/a-complete-guide-to-api-generation) [API Management Concepts, tools, and best practises](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/what-is-api-management-a-brief-overview-of-api-management-concepts-and-tools?_gl=1*jl0njh*_gcl_au*MjQzMjgwMTc3LjE3ODIzMjI3MzY) AI Use Cases [AI Data Access Secure, governed reads for your LLMs](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/ai-data-access) [MCP Server Drop-in Model Context Protocol](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/mcp-server) [Legacy Modernization Wrap mainframes with REST](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/legacy-modernization) [Data Governance Audit every call, enforce every policy](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/data-governance) [Customer Case Studies](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies) [Energy Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/energy-snowflake-modernization) [Government Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-mainframe-oracle-modernization) [Government Business Intelligence](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/government-sql-server-bi-analyst-queries) [Manufacturing Modernization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/steel-manufacturing-sap-erp-modernization) [Financial Services Investor Portal](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/financial-services-sql-server-investor-portal) [Non-Profit Partner Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/non-profit-sql-server-partner-data-sharing) [Professional Services Exec Dashboards](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/professional-services-erp-dashboards) [Education HR and External Data Sharing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/case-studies/education-student-hr-sql-server-mysql-external-data-sharing) Industries #### [Healthcare HIPAA-grade APIs across EHR, claims, and labs.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/healthcare) #### [Financial Services Portfolios, partners, and portals on one layer.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/financial-services) #### [Government Modernize mainframes without re-platforming.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/government) #### [Manufacturing SAP, MES, and shop-floor data, governed.](https://www.dreamfactory.com/use-cases/manufacturing) SQL Database [SQL SQL Server](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/sql-server) [OR Oracle](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/oracle) [PG PostgreSQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/postgresql) [My MySQL](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mysql) NoSQL & Docs [Dy DynamoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/dynamodb) [Do DocumentDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-documentdb) [Mo MongoDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/mongodb) [Cb CouchDB](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/couch-db) Cloud Warehouses [S3 S3](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/amazon-s3) [Ab Azureblob](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/azure-blob) [FS FTP/SFTP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/ftp-sftp) [LS Local Storage](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/local-storage) C & SaaS [Sf Salesforce](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/salesforce) [API REST / SOAP](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors/soap-to-rest) [See all 30+ connectors](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors) [![back arrow](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dreamfactory/images/orange-arrow.svg) Blog](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/) # Common Challenges associated with the Composable Enterprise by Spencer Nguyen ![calendar icon](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dreamfactory/images/calendar-icon.svg) January 8, 2026 Table of contents RECOMMENDED ARTICLES - [A Complete Guide to API Generation](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/a-complete-guide-to-api-generation) - [10 Best API Management Tools](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/what-is-api-management-a-brief-overview-of-api-management-concepts-and-tools) - [Creating a Microsoft SQL Server API in Less Than 5 minutes with DreamFactory](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/creating-a-microsoft-sql-server-api-in-less-than-5-minutes-with-dreamfactory) - [Hasura vs. DreamFactory: A Comprehensive Comparison](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hasura-vs-dreamfactory) - [Build A Snowflake REST API in Less Than 5 Minutes](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/generate-a-snowflake-rest-api-in-less-than-5-minutes) ![People climbing a mountain signifying challenges associated with the composable enterprise ](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Image78-1024x576.jpg?width=1200&height=675&name=Image78-1024x576.jpg) From Silicon Valley startups to established corporations, more and more companies are shifting to a [composable enterprise architecture](https://www.gartner.com/en/doc/465932-future-of-applications-delivering-the-composable-enterprise). And it is easy to see why. The world of business technology is growing fast and in unpredictable ways. Businesses need to stay competitive by keeping pace with — or better yet, ahead of — emerging tech. Composable enterprises allow for this flexibility by establishing the groundwork for integrating new applications and functionalities. And an API makes all of this possible. ![DreamFactory Hosted Trial Signup](https://static.hsstatic.net/BlogImporterAssetsUI/ex/missing-image.png) ### Generate a full-featured,documented, and secure REST API in minutes. Sign up for our free 14 day hosted trial to learn how. [Generate your No Code REST API now](https://genie.dreamfactory.com/register) ### What Is a Composable Enterprise? The composable enterprise is a new modular business structure that lets you choose your own technology and features. Traditionally, businesses were tied to license agreements and monolithic software suites. But today, those limits are gone. APIs (or application programming interfaces) make this business architecture possible by enabling integration across apps, microservices, and packaged business capabilities regardless of branding, file format, or programming language. You can use these services as building blocks to support any business model you need. There is also room for legacy systems in the composable enterprise, as businesses often realize replacing foundational applications is easier said than done. Getting to the composable enterprise often means your business will go through some form of [digital transformation](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/how-to-structure-a-successful-digital-transformation-strategy/). The process looks a little different for each business, but the only real bounds are what you plan to do with your new composable business plan. That doesn’t mean you won’t run into some hurdles along the way. ### Challenges of Composable Enterprises The following are the main challenges facing composable enterprises. #### Defining the Scope and Structure of Your Applications Software development sprints along, and it isn’t stopping to let enterprises catch a breath. This means the structure of technology is also changing. We’re already moving away from a monolithic software structure and ESBs in favor of microservices, but even that may be falling short. If you feel the strain of management overhead from bunches of microsystems, there is a possible compromise to be made. Pairing [microservices with master data management](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/microservices-and-master-data-management/) may not be the traditional or expected way to work with microservices, but reconciling these previously incompatible structures with an API could be a way to bridge the gaps of each. #### Change and Friction Between Business Leadership and Developers Digital transformation doesn’t just mean a change in business technology. It calls for a cultural shift as well. As the tech world explodes with new innovation, a business’s IT organization gets pushed closer to front and center. Companies are inching closer to becoming tech companies regardless of their true field — financial services, healthcare, e-commerce, and so on. But as the IT silo breaks down, there is a need for more cooperation with the human side of the business. This means making technology more user-friendly. Fortunately, emerging tech makes this possible with low-code and no-code options to help businesses add functionalities with a [top-down strategy](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/would-a-top-down-api-strategy-deliver-results-for-your-organization/). This goes both ways. Business leadership also needs to approach new tech solutions with an open mind. Adding a CIO to the team is only the start. Moving to a composable enterprise means a complete remodel of the current business structure — everything that is comfortable and known about the business. In order for a [digital transformation strategy](https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/unlocking-success-in-digital-transformations) to be successful, it is important to get [both sides of leadership](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/community-and-evangelism-in-digital-transformation/) on board and working together. Once that happens, these two decision making departments are in the best position to brainstorm new innovations for the organization. If building the API seems intimidating, DreamFactory makes it easy. We can help you build a full-featured, secure, and documented REST API in minutes. Start your [free 14-day trial](https://genie.dreamfactory.com/) with our guided tour and test data to learn how, or use your existing database. #### Governance The job isn’t done once your composable architecture goes live. Now is the time to maintain the structure and monitor for potential growth. [Governance](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/organizational-governance-and-digital-transformation/) calls for a balance between [risk assessment](https://blog.niftypm.com/five-steps-to-effective-qualitative-risk-assessment-fda9bf642201) and business opportunity. You need to ensure your planned composability wasn’t all for nothing, but unchecked progress can mean you are missing potential areas of failure. ![DreamFactory Hosted Trial Signup](https://static.hsstatic.net/BlogImporterAssetsUI/ex/missing-image.png) ### Generate a full-featured,documented, and secure REST API in minutes. Sign up for our free 14 day hosted trial to learn how. [Generate your No Code REST API now](https://genie.dreamfactory.com/register) ### How DreamFactory Can Help When building a composable enterprise architecture, you’ll need an API to hold it all together. But building an API is not as complicated as it may sound. This is where DreamFactory comes in. DreamFactory is a SaaS API management system that can help you build and maintain APIs all across its lifecycle. We can help you build a new API from scratch, [convert](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/how-to-turn-any-soap-web-service-into-a-rest-api) your old SOAP web service into a simpler, more flexible REST API, or add new business functions to your existing API. Our API experts have successful clients from all over the world. Are you ready to build your composable enterprise? You’ll need an API as the foundation. Start our [14-day free trial](https://genie.dreamfactory.com/) to build one in minutes. No credit card required. TAGS: [Composable Enterprise](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/tag/composable-enterprise) ![Spencer Nguyen](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hs-fs/hubfs/d0352ad8ab4e13aed9bf6eb0839b43c5.png?width=100&height=100&name=d0352ad8ab4e13aed9bf6eb0839b43c5.png) Spencer Nguyen As a seasoned content moderator with a keen eye for detail and a passion for upholding the highest standards of quality and integrity in all of their work, Spencer Nguyen brings a professional yet empathetic approach to every task. Stay Connected with The Connector Newsletter! Subscribe to stay up-to-date with DreamFactory's latest product updates, API best practices, and tech humor in your inbox. [![Dreamfactory Logo](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/dreamfactory/images/megamenu/Megamenu-logo.svg)](https://www.dreamfactory.com/) [Call Sales +1 (415) 993-5877](tel:+14159935877) Open – Mon–Fri 9–5 PT [FREE 30 Minute Demo](https://www.dreamfactory.com/demo) #### Follow us - [GitHub](https://github.com/dreamfactorysoftware/dreamfactory) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/dfsoftwareinc/) - [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/dfsoftwareinc) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dreamfactory-software) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/dreamfactorysoftware) ### Features [Features](https://www.dreamfactory.com/features) [Self hosted](https://www.dreamfactory.com/features#self) [API Generation](https://www.dreamfactory.com/features#api) [Security](https://www.dreamfactory.com/features#secure) [Customization](https://www.dreamfactory.com/features#custom) [Pricing](https://www.dreamfactory.com/pricing) ### Installers [Linux](https://www.dreamfactory.com/features#installer) [Docker](https://www.dreamfactory.com/features#installer) [Kubernetes](https://www.dreamfactory.com/features#installer) ### API Resources [Documentation](https://docs.dreamfactory.com/) [Case Studies](https://www.dreamfactory.com/stories) [White Papers](https://www.dreamfactory.com/resources/whitepapers) [Academy](https://www.dreamfactory.com/academy) [API Calculator](https://calculator.dreamfactory.com) [Open Source](https://github.com/dreamfactorysoftware) ### Company [Blog](https://blog.dreamfactory.com/) [Hub](https://www.dreamfactory.com/hub) [About us](https://www.dreamfactory.com/about) [Partners](https://www.dreamfactory.com/partners) [Support](https://www.dreamfactory.com/support) [Connectors](https://www.dreamfactory.com/connectors) [Contact Us](https://www.dreamfactory.com/demo) © 2025 DreamFactory. All rights reserved. [Terms of Use](https://www.dreamfactory.com/terms-of-use) [Privacy Policy](https://www.dreamfactory.com/privacy-policy) [LLMs](https://www.dreamfactory.com/llms.txt) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Spencer Nguyen", "url" : "https://blog.dreamfactory.com/author/spencernguyen" }, "dateModified" : "2024-06-24T12:07:05.317Z", "datePublished" : "2026-01-09T00:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Common Challenges associated with the Composable Enterprise", "image" : [ "https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Image78-1024x576.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.dreamfactory.com/common-challenges-associated-with-the-composable-enterprise", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.dreamfactory.com/hubfs/DreamFactory%20-%20Orange%20-%20Transparent-1.png" } } } ```