When most folks talk about trends and topics in technology, they zero in on future-focused automation and enablement tech like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. But, there are more immediate shifts in the landscape that are paving the way for systems modernization and actual organizational evolution. Real change in the enterprise requires significant change in the network. And that change happens with DevOps. But what is it?

DevOps Defined

DevOps is a broad set of adaptable software development and delivery methods aimed at decreasing the chasm between software, IT, and operations. Every organization suffers from siloed information streams and, oftentimes, IT and operations are misaligned. We spend too much time and energy maintaining the status quo and making true transformation impossible. Teams can eliminate roadblocks by architecting native cloud environments to support software development, internal processes, system deployment, technology modernization, and transformation.

3 ways DevOps create a competitive advantage

Partnering with DevOps brings modernization, efficiency, and expertise

Clockwork has long been a partner to our clients interested in outsourcing the DevOps function. The advantage of these relationships is immediate access to specialists with hands-on expertise on a variety of project and infrastructure types. Partnering with an experienced DevOps team can substantially minimize operational and staff expenses.

The impact of Covid on mid-market businesses has been tremendous. Cloud solutions can help to gain a significant competitive advantage. Legacy systems and processes often cannot function at the speed of the cloud. This is where Clockwork comes in. 

Our DevOps experts are able to architect and implement systems and processes to achieve efficiencies in delivery speeds and insights into outcomes. This allows our clients to get their products and services to market faster and respond to customer demands. DevOps enables the ever-emerging convenience culture that is influencing how business works. Your customers want what they want now. They want intuitive, easy to understand, immediate access to products, resources, services, and information. Your website can deliver what they see. But it’s DevOps that delivers the behind-the-scenes immediacy to make the promise of what they see true. The easier it is to buy, or conduct business, the more likely customers will return.

Security as a key priority

Another “trend” to consider that isn’t nearly as sexy or exciting as, say, augmented reality, is security. As our lives and our work become more and more connected and automated, security increases in priority. Security breaches aren’t just minor hiccups anymore. They have the potential to be completely disruptive and very expensive. Often, the most concerning vulnerability for any organization is its people. Phishing scams and ransomware exploit unsuspecting humans every single day. In 2022, staying ahead of security scams and opportunities should be a priority. Partnering with solid DevOps experts is another way to ensure you have additional energy working to protect your networks so that you can focus on your people.

Digital becomes a “place” through extended reality

Just when you think you’ve got a handle on what’s coming, the world of tech throws you a curveball. We’ve got augmented reality and virtual reality. And now, we’re hearing a new term — Extended Reality. It’s a lot. 

So, what is extended reality? Simply put, it’s a phrase that pulls together many technologies under the same umbrella. Extended Reality considers the entire ecosystem within which your digital brand and business exist. Where we used to consider digital properties as these separate entities, now, your brand, commerce, social, and story exist as extensions of your business reality. Layer in some of these automated or virtual elements and you can see how your reality has extended to these digital spaces. Extended Reality really acknowledges digital as ‘place.’

This is why Facebook is spending so much time shifting energy to building the Metaverse. This is why calling themselves ‘Facebook’ and existing as a social network is far too narrow a focus. Meta is intent on owning our extended realities by thinking of itself as a whole new world — a new frontier. It’s not about building separate, specific content to put somewhere. Instead, it’s about actually existing there.

Where will you extend your business?

Explore what’s next for your business with help from our DevOps experts, strategic consulting teams, and exploratory workshops.