How to Align Your Company’s Cloud and DevOps Strategies?

May 5, 2016

Some of the world’s most innovative IT technology companies are currently focusing on making their products compatible with DevOps and hybrid cloud.  In fact, many of the larger enterprises have already begun moving beyond agile planning, and have commenced cloud migration, the ultimate in automated provisioning and accommodation for applications. DevOps and Cloud go together – cloud […]

Some of the world’s most innovative IT technology companies are currently focusing on making their products compatible with DevOps and hybrid cloud.  In fact, many of the larger enterprises have already begun moving beyond agile planning, and have commenced cloud migration, the ultimate in automated provisioning and accommodation for applications.

DevOps and Cloud go together - cloud offers better scalability of design, and DevOps helps to accelerate the development and release of applications. However, when it comes to cloud and DevOps integration, many IT professionals who practice DevOps within the cloud tend to make a number of avoidable mistakes. Here are some of the best practices that your business could implement in order to achieve a successful marriage of DevOps into your company’s cloud:

  1. Define a DevOps organization

This is probably the most relevant and difficult step you’ll have to take while integrating your company’s cloud and DevOps strategies. A lot of companies don’t realize that defining a DevOps-oriented organization is the result of systemic change in protocols and processes, and not an overnight switch. This is important because an organization that doesn’t add the necessary skills to perform the migration, will ultimately fail in their attempt to integrate the two systems. This is why an organization should conduct an assessment of its skills, and the skills it will need to handle the transition. This step is also crucial since it gives some direction as to where the company is and where it needs to be but defining existing gaps and identifying a course of action to fill them.

  1. Hire a Team of Experts

DevOps was in the shadows for a while, but it has now entered mainstream IT.  At this point, you’re going to need a team of capable developers who have the requisite skills to setup, operate and maintain systems that a traditional developer wouldn’t be able to handle. When hiring a team, it is also important to redefine the work structure so that the process does not get bogged down by paperwork and protocols. This will lead to a more agile development and launch process.

  1. Security should be top Priority

When it comes to the cloud, nothing matters more than the safety and security of your sensitive business data. Make sure you extend your security cover to protect your DevOps tools, when attempting to integrate your cloud with your DevOps strategy. To ensure that you leave no stone unturned, you could opt to hire the services of a trusted automation provider that will provide 24x7 security, within DevOps in your cloud. Make sure the security software is designed specifically for DevOps Cloud Automation, as it performs comprehensive audits to ensure online data security.

  1. Automated Performance Testing

Issues with application performance in cloud deployments are usually attributed to flawed application design. And the worst part is that most of these issues go unnoticed and will end up going into production, which is why the process of performance testing should never be overlooked by your DevOps surge. Performance testing is a crucial component of the integration of cloud with DevOps, as it will help you avoid putting a non-performing application into production. Automated testing will allow your application to perform admirably, while also making efficient use of resources.

 

  1. Container Integration within your Cloud Strategy

Another great DevOps in the cloud best practice is to seamlessly integrate containers within your DevOps and cloud strategy, primarily because of their portable nature. Although they are easy to manage and execute, it’s always advisable to consider the various cluster management, security, and governance tools for apps that leverage containers. In order to avoid redundancies, you should adopt the policy of continuous integration and deployment. This will reduce delays and increase workflow efficiency. The use of automated deployments and constant integration is that automated deployment allows you to minimize time between the identification and implementation of new features, while continuous integration will allows you or your development team to confidently design and develop solutions in a series of small, routine steps.

  1. Selective Application Migration

The process of migrating individual independent applications to your cloud is both an impractical and expensive act. In order to save time and minimize expenses, you’ll have to prioritize your applications on the basis of which ones would add the most overall value to you and your business. By analyzing the applications, you can also figure out how much time, effort and resources you’re going to have to put into the integration process.

  1. Development of Cloud Friendly Apps

Anyone who’s worked with DevOps will appreciate the skill and expertise required to design and implement apps in a manner that they can work independent of any physical resources, while also being cloud-friendly. Deciding to create a framework that allows the individual components to operate autonomously among each other will improve your overall efficiency and cloud usage by up to 70%.

  1. For & by the Cloud

If you really want to take advantage of the cloud and all its services, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software a as a Service (SaaS), you’re going to have to design your app in such a way that they can run without any physical resources. As such, DevOps focuses heavily on the ability to design, develop, and maintain automated infrastructure components. So whether you’re a developer or a CIO, you have to assume that infrastructure as code (IAC) possess the inherent ability to develop enterprise-level middleware, and make provisions for servers, and application code- the three core components of your architecture system.

Author: Rahul Sharma

By Team FileCloud