As the scholarly publishing industry faces new challenges and opportunities—be it open access mandates, the integration of AI tools for peer review, or the need for more robust data analytics—the limitations of traditional, monolithic systems are becoming increasingly apparent. They can be highly effective until they reach a certain size and complexity. However, as they grow, scaling becomes a significant challenge. Even making a small change in a single function can necessitate the compilation and testing of the entire platform. Enter modular architecture, a design approach that promises flexibility, scalability, and easier integration of diverse functionalities.
Unlike monolithic systems, where each component is tightly integrated and dependent on the others, modular architecture allows for independent modules that can be easily added, removed, or replaced. This flexibility is not just a technical advantage; it’s a strategic asset that enables organizations to adapt swiftly to market changes, technological advancements, and evolving user needs.
Moreover, the modular design contributes to sustainability by enabling efficient resource utilization throughout a product’s lifecycle. It fosters innovation and collaboration, as modules can be developed independently and later integrated seamlessly, enriching the platform’s capabilities without requiring a complete overhaul.
Understanding Modular Architecture
Core Principles of Modular Architecture
Independence and Isolation
In a modular architecture, each module is designed to be independent and isolated from the others. This means that each module has its own business logic and, if necessary, its own database or schema. This level of independence allows for easier maintenance and development of individual modules without affecting the entire system.
Interchangeability
Modules in a modular architecture are interchangeable. This feature enables the system to adapt to changing requirements by swapping out modules as needed. For example, if a new algorithm for peer review becomes the industry standard, the corresponding module can be replaced without affecting other functionalities.
Reusability
Modules are designed to perform specific functions that can be reused in different parts of the application or even in different projects. This not only speeds up the development process but also ensures consistency across the platform.
Better Organization and Reduced Complexity
Modular architecture offers better organization of dependencies compared to traditional monolithic apps. By isolating functionalities into modules, the system becomes less complex, making it easier to manage and scale. This is particularly beneficial in scholarly publishing, where the ecosystem is continuously evolving, and platforms need to adapt quickly.
Scalability
Modular architecture is more scalable than traditional monolithic systems. Because each module is independent, it can be scaled individually based on the load it experiences. This is crucial for scholarly publishing platforms that may experience varying levels of traffic for different functionalities, such as article submission, peer review, or content dissemination.
Communication Through Public APIs
In a modular system, modules communicate with each other through well-defined public APIs. This allows for a clean separation between modules, ensuring that they do not rely on each other’s internal functions and logic. This principle aligns well with the industry focus on API-first development, particularly in systems that require integration with third-party services.
Advantages of Modular Architecture
Scalability
In the context of scholarly publishing, where the volume of published material and user interactions can fluctuate, scalability becomes crucial. Modular architecture allows for the independent scaling of each functional unit. For instance, if there’s a sudden increase in manuscript submissions, the peer-review module can be scaled up without affecting other modules like citation checking or payment systems. This level of granularity in scalability ensures that resources are used optimally, thereby enhancing system performance.
Flexibility and Customization
The publishing landscape is continuously evolving, with new standards, regulations, and user expectations. A modular architecture provides the flexibility to adapt to these changes swiftly. Publishers can integrate new functionalities like machine learning algorithms for manuscript screening or blockchain for transparent peer-review processes. This adaptability is made possible because each module can be developed, tested, and deployed independently, reducing the time-to-market for new features.
Cost-Efficiency
In a traditional monolithic system, even minor changes can require significant resources for testing and deployment. However, in a modular setup, individual modules can be updated or replaced without affecting the entire system. This localized approach to updates reduces the risk of system-wide failures and lowers maintenance costs. For instance, if a bug is discovered in the open-access management module, it can be fixed without having to take down the entire platform, thereby saving both time and money.
Enhanced Collaboration
Modular architecture inherently supports parallel development. Different teams can work on separate modules without waiting for one to complete. This is particularly beneficial in multi-disciplinary platforms where experts in peer-review processes, citation management, and content preparation can focus on their respective modules. This parallel approach speeds up the development cycle, enabling quicker responses to industry changes.
Sustainability
Modular architecture is not just about technical efficiency; it also has a role in sustainability. Modules designed for reuse and easy replacement contribute to reducing electronic waste. Further, the ability to update specific modules extends the lifecycle of the platform, reducing the need for complete overhauls.
Simplified Maintenance
One of the most significant advantages of modular architecture is its ease of maintenance. With each module encapsulating its own logic and dependencies, updates or fixes can be rolled out for individual modules without affecting the entire system. This is particularly useful in an industry where compliance and up-to-date information are critical.
Microservices in Scholarly Publishing
Microservices are essentially small, independent services that run in their own processes and communicate with each other over APIs. Unlike monolithic systems where the application is a single unit, a microservices-based application is divided into different pieces of software, each independent of the other. This enables more than just code modularity; it allows for operational modularity. Each microservice can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently, offering flexibility.
Application in Scholarly Publishing Systems
Modular architecture focuses on creating interchangeable and upgradeable modules. When combined with microservices, this architecture goes beyond code modularity to operational modularity. They offer two main advantages: independent deployments without downtime and a logical division of the system into business modules and sub-modules.
For example, a separate microservice could handle user authentication, another could manage article submissions, and yet another could take care of peer review processes. This separation allows for more focused development and maintenance efforts, making the system more resilient and easier to update.
HighWire‘s DigiCorePro employs a microservices architecture to offer a range of services from manuscript submission to peer review to integrity checks to content enhancement. This modular approach allows publishers to easily integrate new features or make updates without affecting the entire system.
Examples of Microservices in Action
In a typical scholarly publishing platform, various services can be integrated to enhance functionality. While it’s hard to categorize which of these would be officially considered “microservices,” they serve as practical examples:
- Reference and Citation Checking: Platforms like Scite and Edifix can be integrated to automate the validation of references and citations.
- Taxonomy Services: Solutions like Access Innovations and MCPublishing offer taxonomy and metadata services.
- Conflict of Interest Checking: Services like Convey can be integrated to automate the identification of potential conflicts of interest.
- Open Access Management: OA Switchboard and ChronosHub help manage open access policies and compliance.
- Payment Systems: RightsLink and AptaraCorp offer automated payment solutions for open access fees.
- Peer Review Finder: Platforms like Prophy and GlobalCampus can be integrated to automate the peer review process.
- Reviewer Recognition: Services like ORCID and ReviewerCredits offer reviewer recognition and tracking.
- Plagiarism Checking: iThenticate and PlagiarismCheckerX offer plagiarism detection services.
- Image Checking: Services like Imagetwin, FigCheck and Proofig offer automated image integrity checks.
- Integrity Checking: Services like Clear Skies and STM’s Integrity Hub offer automated paper mill detection.
- Methodology and Reproducibility: SciScore and Ripeta offer checks for scientific rigor and reproducibility.
Each of these services can exist as a separate microservice within a larger modular architecture, allowing for greater flexibility and scalability.
Challenges with Microservices
While the advantages are numerous, microservices do come with challenges such as network latency, data consistency, and the complexity of managing multiple services. However, these can be mitigated through well-established best practices like API-first design, centralized logging, and continuous monitoring.
APIs: The Glue that Binds Microservices in Scholarly Publishing
The Role of APIs in Modular Systems
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) serve as the connective tissue between different microservices in a modular architecture. They define the methods and data formats that microservices can use to communicate with each other and with the outside world. In the context of scholarly publishing, APIs enable seamless interactions between various components of the publishing workflow, from manuscript submission to peer review and content distribution.
Standardization and Interoperability
One of the key advantages of using APIs is the standardization it brings to the system. By adhering to common API standards, different microservices can easily interact with each other, ensuring a smooth workflow. For example, an API can facilitate the exchange of metadata between a manuscript submission system and an external database like PubMed.
Security and Access Control
APIs also play a crucial role in ensuring the security of the system. They can be designed to require authentication and can limit access based on user roles. This is vital in the publishing context, where sensitive academic data and personal researcher information needs to be securely managed.
Future-Proofing Through APIs
The use of APIs also offers a level of future-proofing for scholarly publishing platforms. As new technologies and methodologies emerge, APIs can be updated or new ones can be created without disrupting the existing architecture, ensuring agility.
Closing Thoughts
The majority of publishers continue to rely on traditional online submission and workflow tracking systems built on aging technology. These monolithic systems, while once the standard, now limit innovation and adaptability, requiring complex workarounds to integrate new tools and processes.
However, the landscape is changing. There’s a growing interest in modular architecture, a design approach that offers flexibility, scalability, and easy integration of diverse functionalities. This shift aligns with the need for publishers to incorporate new technologies, such as AI and machine learning, into their workflows. These tools can enhance quality checks, content enrichment, and more, but they require modern systems that can adapt quickly.
The introduction of microservices further amplifies the benefits of modular architecture. Platforms like Highwire Press’s DigiCorePro exemplify how microservices can be seamlessly integrated to enhance functionality and adaptability. From reference and citation checking to open access management, the use of microservices allows for a more granular level of control and customization.
As the industry continues to evolve with new peer review methods, multimedia content, shortened revision cycles and other innovations in workflow, the need for adaptable systems will continue to rise. Modular architecture emerges as the answer to these evolving industry needs, offering agility, scalability, and adaptability.
