An Introduction to DevOps

Nowadays the term DevOps is spreading rapidly all over the world. That is why we want to give you an introduction to DevOps, define the term, inform you about the benefits and possible pitfalls. After reading this blog post you will be able to attend a basic conversation when it comes to DevOps. To become a real DevOps pro you might need to attend a training course to extend your theoretical knowledge and gather practical experience by using for instance Chef Configuration Management to master DevOps tasks.

What does DevOps mean?

DevOps is the combination of two words: development and operations. When it comes to creating or operating a service it is vital that the development staff and the operations staff collaborate. To ensure an efficient workflow they have to work together from the beginning until the end of a project. In other words, over the entire service lifecycle, developers and the operational staff (system administrators, systems engineers, network engineers, e.g.) need to work hand in hand.

Benefits of using the DevOps approach

Usually, companies tend to work like this: The developers, as the word already implies, develop something like a web application for instance. When it is ready they hand it over to the operational staff. From this time on they are in charge of the application. Nowadays, with the rise of the modern cloud, everything gains more speed. As a result, companies and their employees have to face the truth - they need to act faster and better avoiding any mistakes to stay competitive. For instance, with Chef Configuration Management it is possible to develop a solid foundation for managing many servers. Of course you can also manage all your servers manually - but be honest to yourself - do you have the time for that? Just imagine you make one small mistake, then you have to start all over again. This is just one single example to name but there exist a lot more benefits by implementing the DevOps approach.

Teams can work more efficient through collaboration. Consequently they can meet the customer´s requirements faster. Automating your processes with Continuous Integration, Delivery and Deployment techniques will allow you to deliver more releases as well as innovate and improve your products in less time.

To keep in mind

In a fast-paced work environment you have to keep another thing in mind: Compliance - because it's not only your production which moves faster but you have to ensure that you are in accordance with the compliance guidelines of your industry. Additional tooling is required to automate and incorporate this checks in your delivery pipeline.

Nevertheless, with the rise of the modern cloud the world and its industries have been changed. It's your decision if you want to be a part of this great opportunity to work fast, efficient and stay competitive by integrating the DevOps approach - but you can't stop this industrial development. Take the next step and stay on the cutting edge of technology!