In the realm of technology and software development, there's a question that often goes unasked, yet holds immense importance. As a Solution Specialist for Database DevOps, it's a question I expected to be frequently confronted with. However, it seems to have faded into the background, overshadowed by the assumption that DevOps is the definitive path forward. Why should I follow Redgate towards DevOps.
Whilst the answer to that is quite simple in my mind, but one I could talk about for hours, with the main benefits you should see being.
1. Efficiency and Speed
2. Continuous Integration and Delivery (CI/CD)
3. Enhanced Collaboration and Communication
4. Reliability and Stability
5. Scalability and Flexibility
6. Enhanced Customer Experience
By embracing DevOps, organizations can achieve enhanced efficiency and speed in their operations, leveraging practices like continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) to automate and streamline the software release process. This, coupled with improved collaboration and communication between teams, fosters a culture of shared ownership and rapid issue resolution. Furthermore, DevOps emphasizes reliability and stability through infrastructure as code and continuous monitoring, ensuring consistent performance and reduced downtime. The scalability and flexibility provided by DevOps enable organizations to adapt swiftly to changing business requirements, while ultimately enhancing the customer experience through frequent, reliable, and high-quality software releases that meet their evolving needs. This can be converted into economic goals too, like faster time to market, and less downtime / recovery time, but it is not what I want to talk about today. But more why I am never having to explain that to our customers. These are huge benefits, that when properly understood will guide your business to a much more effective system, but I often wonder if the people I talk to even understand DevOps and the benefits above or if they just know it is where to go. As those two things can cause huge differences when it comes to actually implementing.
It was one of those questions I used to practice when I first started, Chris Kerswell my manager once asked me it very generally, maybe to test if I knew the background area before trying to specialise. I practiced by myself giving answers to this, even making a PowerPoint to use but when it came to actually talking to customers they all seemed pretty sure of the fact that DevOps was the way to work and somewhere to strive towards. So, I never got asked by anyone, instead just how we at Redgate could help. DevOps is, in my mind, a culture. Anywhere can implement the ideas of DevOps and it does not come with predefined steps you can take to achieve it, unlike practices like CI/CD which fall underneath it. So, I often wonder if the people I am talking to, perceive and understand DevOps in the way I am trying to 'sell' it.
Implementing DevOps into an existing system can be a tough endeavour. Without the right tools and knowledge, it can prove to be costly, both financially and in terms of time and effort. It requires careful timing, adequate preparation, and a thorough evaluation of how it will uniquely impact each organization. However, the potential rewards are vast, making it a decision that warrants serious consideration.
As a Solution Specialist at a leading Database DevOps company, I find myself engaged in conversations that revolve around customers' technology, pain points, and visions. Surprisingly, the question of why one should adopt DevOps rarely arises. The rise of DevOps could be attributed to either an extraordinary development or a natural progression, depending on one's perspective. Nevertheless, it raises an intriguing question: why isn't this question asked more often? Especially when many clients I work with have yet to embark on the journey and are still operating with manual processes. Is DevOps considered common knowledge, having been around for so long?
Despite the lack of direct inquiries, I eagerly await the day when someone asks me about the merits of DevOps. It would offer me a chance to explain, from my own perspective, the significance and value it brings. While it aligns perfectly with my specialization, I'm curious about the underlying reasons behind its assumed knowledge. Has the significance of DevOps become so deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness that it no longer necessitates questioning?
In the evolving landscape of technology and software development, DevOps has become a dominant force. Something I have become very ingrained into, so I think it is important that we do not lose sight over why we are pushing DevOps, and every time we implement something new we should be asking the question of is this DevOps, and why do I need it.
In upcoming blogs, I will delve deeper into this important question, exploring its implications and unveiling the compelling reasons why it deserves more attention, and begin to actually touch upon the amazing technical stories and ideas that are going on right now. But for now, I just wanted to throw that question out, and try to get everyone thinking about why they need DevOps before looking at how amazing it is and trying to follow it.
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