I understand your concerns, the problem is when they're all tied in to the same database, they aren't modular. Modular means I can change one app without being forced to change the others and that's not possible when all apps integrate through a database. An integration database is a massive global variable that kills all modularity.

> "When you have limited developer resources modular balls of mud (AKA big glob of Buckyballs - like the magnetic desk toy) with single login identity and shared well structured DB are far better and easier to maintain than a half dozen+ separate applications with differing architectural choices, languages, and abilities to integrate with each other."

Easier to maintain, yes, easier to grow and change and evolve, no.