Product & Platform Architecture
The four integrated layers that power Palantir's enterprise data operating system
Platform Components
Foundry
Enterprise Data OS
Gotham
Defense & Intelligence
Apollo
Continuous Deployment
AIP
AI Decision Platform
Reference Architecture Overview
Palantir's platform architecture consists of four integrated layers that work together to transform raw data into operational decisions:
Data Integration Layer
Connects to any data source (databases, APIs, files, streams). Handles data ingestion, cleansing, and transformation with complete lineage tracking.
Ontology Layer
Maps real-world concepts to data (customers, products, transactions). Defines relationships and provides semantic understanding for non-technical users.
Application Layer
Low-code/no-code application builders, pre-built applications for common use cases, and custom development framework.
Deployment & Control Layer (Apollo)
Continuous deployment across any environment. Security, access control, monitoring, and governance.
Foundry: The Enterprise Data Operating System
Data Integration
- ✓ 400+ pre-built connectors
- ✓ Real-time and batch processing
- ✓ Schema inference & profiling
Pipeline Builder
- ✓ Visual data transformation
- ✓ SQL and Python support
- ✓ Incremental processing
Ontology Management
- ✓ Object type definitions
- ✓ Property mappings
- ✓ Relationship constraints
Workshop Builder
- ✓ Drag-and-drop interface
- ✓ Pre-built widgets
- ✓ Custom React components
Example Use Cases
- • Supply chain optimization
- • Customer 360 views
- • Risk and compliance monitoring
- • Operational dashboards
Gotham: Intelligence and Defense Platform
Graph Analysis
- ✓ Entity resolution
- ✓ Link analysis & pattern detection
- ✓ Temporal & geospatial analysis
Investigation Tools
- ✓ Case management workflows
- ✓ Evidence collection & tagging
- ✓ Collaboration and handoffs
Operational Planning
- ✓ Scenario modeling
- ✓ Resource allocation optimization
- ✓ Mission planning & execution
Security Features
- ✓ Classification handling (TS/SCI)
- ✓ Attribute-based access control
- ✓ Audit logging & compliance
Example Use Cases
- • Counter-terrorism investigations
- • Criminal network analysis
- • Battlefield intelligence fusion
- • Border security operations
Apollo: Continuous Deployment Infrastructure
Core Capabilities
Environment Management
- • Multi-cloud deployment (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- • On-premise installation
- • Air-gapped and classified networks
Deployment Orchestration
- • Blue-green deployments
- • Canary releases
- • Automatic rollbacks
Security & Compliance
- • End-to-end encryption
- • Certificate management
- • Compliance scanning
Monitoring & Operations
- • Health checks and alerts
- • Performance metrics
- • Log aggregation
🎯 Key Differentiator
Apollo allows Palantir to deploy and update software in environments where traditional SaaS cannot operate—submarines, forward operating bases, secure facilities—while maintaining central control and governance.
AIP: Artificial Intelligence Platform
AI Agent Framework
- ✓ LLM integration (GPT, Claude)
- ✓ Agent orchestration & chaining
- ✓ Tool use and function calling
Model Management
- ✓ Model versioning & lineage
- ✓ A/B testing framework
- ✓ Performance monitoring
Governance & Safety
- ✓ Output validation & constraints
- ✓ Bias detection & mitigation
- ✓ Explainability features
Platform Integration
- ✓ Connects to Foundry Ontology
- ✓ Leverages existing pipelines
- ✓ Surfaces insights in applications
Example Use Cases
- • Automated report generation
- • Predictive maintenance recommendations
- • Fraud pattern detection
- • Decision support systems
Ontology System: Mapping Reality to Data
The Ontology is Palantir's secret sauce—it maps real-world entities and relationships to underlying data sources, allowing non-technical users to work with familiar business concepts.
Object Types
Define real-world entities
- • Specify properties and data types
- • Set validation rules
- • Define constraints
Relationships
Connect objects together
- • Specify cardinality
- • Enable traversal and querying
- • Maintain referential integrity
Actions
Define operations on objects
- • Implement business logic
- • Maintain data consistency
- • Trigger workflows
Synchronization
Keep ontology in sync
- • Handle schema evolution
- • Manage data quality
- • Track lineage
Key Benefits
- ✓ Business users work with familiar concepts instead of tables and schemas
- ✓ Consistent data model across all applications
- ✓ Simplified application development with semantic understanding
- ✓ Enhanced data governance and compliance
Deployment Options
SaaS (Foundry Cloud)
- • Fully managed by Palantir
- • Multi-tenant architecture
- • Regular updates and patches
Private Cloud
- • Dedicated infrastructure
- • Customer or co-managed
- • Isolated tenant
On-Premise
- • Behind customer firewall
- • Full customer control
- • Apollo-managed updates
Air-Gapped
- • No internet connectivity
- • Manual update process
- • Maximum security