DevOps and The Cloud are the Much-Needed Pillars of Digital Transformation

Posted on April 30, 2018January 20, 2021 by Idexcel Technologies

Digital transformation has become the new age mantra in this fast-paced tech equipped world. The Cloud has become synonymous with such modern age developments. One would ideally relate the development of the Cloud with digital transformation. However, the current situation could not be further from the truth.

To drive fast-paced changes in today’s business structures there needs to be agile IT architectures in place. These days, more or less every sector is heavily influenced by four technological components, which are social media, mobile technology, analytics, and the cloud.

On the other hand, DevOps refers to speed, quality, and adding value for money. Combine the Cloud to this mix, and you have a winner on your hands. The provisioning of applications and infrastructure is supported heavily by the Cloud, which helps balance out the duo of DevOps and the Cloud for bringing about Digital Transformation.

Successfully Merging the Cloud and DevOps
The sheer beauty of the Cloud’s relationship with DevOps lies in the inclusive relationship they share with each other. Organizations which rely heavily on operations use the Cloud’s computing services to steer their productivity and efficiency speed. Through the means of Cloud computing, developers can gain more control over their components, which often results in shorter waiting time.

By using Cloud’s tools, the process of building and managing codes, services and can eliminate human errors while driving speed and efficiency in the day to day processes. Another aspect where the Cloud comes to the forefront is in developing the ability to generate self-service methods for enabling IT in-frastructure. Since the provisioning time is eliminated, developers can try new things, create new codes, penetrate new markets easily, and launch new products with ease.

DevOps is nothing but the amalgamation of all such services, wherein the developers and the opera-tions teams work together, by using the Cloud as a common platform. By following this approach, they can learn new definitions, as well as develop various strategies at the same time. Through the regular use of Cloud services, developers and operations become more comfortable with the nuances of the Cloud’s languages, allowing them to work seamlessly with each other.

The Multiple Benefits of a DevOps Strategy
In this give and take the relationship between Operations and developers, both parties can benefit immensely. Developers can teach Operations about the various aspects of the code, while Operations can educate developers about the organization’s infrastructure. This way, both parties involved bene-fit tremendously, which translates into the organization’s growth in the long run.

The Cloud propels IT transformation through a means of advanced tools and automation, enabling companies to drive growth and efficiency throughout the different processes within their organiza-tion; it also allows the usage of DevOps processes, with an aim to aid transformation.

At the end of the day, DevOps and the Cloud can aid digital transformation in the following manners:

To usher in digital transformation there is an inclusive interdependence between the Cloud and DevOps; the two can’t be performed in silos, and need to be applied together to ensure a significant degree of digital transformation.

The concept is rather simple; the more involved developers and operations continue to be with each other, the better would be the results in the future. The higher the interdependence, the stronger would be the outcome of digital transformation within the company’s policies and procedures.

Also Read

Hybrid Cloud: Defining The Face of Futuristic Cloud Architecture
Agile and DevOps: Motivating Digital Readiness and Transformation
Cloud Computing in the Healthcare Industry
True Business Efficiency Combines the Power of Cloud Computing and DevOps Practices

The Rise of Machine Learning-as-a-Service

Posted on April 27, 2018January 20, 2021 by Idexcel Technologies

Machine learning and artificial intelligence have become two of the most important words to reckon; their use has become imperative in almost all industries of today. With the introduction of machine-learning-as-a-service, data science has become a focus of the masses within a short span of time. While machine learning is a part of artificial intelligence, it is widely regarded as the process through which self-iterating algorithms are run to analyze vast spectrums of data, in the absence of around-the-clock the clock human supervision.

As machine learning takes precedence over other technologies, machine learning-as-a-service (MLaaS) has come up to meet the growing demands of data-driven industries. MLaaS is a set of services which are offered to companies so that they can access and obtain the benefits of Machine Learning without having to hire a data scientist to do the necessary footwork. As cloud technology is gaining momentum, more companies are outsourcing their data needs to be able to benefit from the advantages of MLaaS.

Why is Machine Learning so Important?
As discussed above, Machine Learning is all about running algorithms to achieve desired data-driven conclusions. Such models, which are equipped with the knowledge of machine learning, are adept at forecasting trends, creating real-time analyses, and performing accurate predictions based on user data. Given its adaptive nature, machine learning can grow from past mistakes and outcomes, which ordinarily help drive future positive results.

No matter the realm, machine learning can do it all. From fraud detection, to price optimization, to crime prevention, there is no end to the capabilities of this advanced technology. For companies looking at optimizing their day to day services, MLaaS is the best data optimization solution. MLaaS is offered as a Cloud-based service and consists of automatic learning tools, which learn as they go. These options can be used in the Cloud, or even in a more hybrid fashion, as per the need of the hour.

The Current Situation of MLaaS Implementation
If you think that MLaaS options are new entrants in the market, you cannot be further from the truth. The technology is not new; Microsoft, Amazon, Google Cloud and IBM have already been providing customized services to their customers. These tech conglomerates offer an excellent platform to their customers; wherein organizations can then create their personalized machine learning algorithms without having to get into the know-how of the technology.

While a majority of big, financially sound companies are making the most use of these platforms, the trend certainly seems to be changing rapidly. With the entry of new MLaaS companies, even small and medium-sized companies are raking the benefits from machine learning services. Since qualified data scientists are scarce, more companies are beginning to traverse on this path to make their data ends meet.

Benefits of MLaaS for Companies and Organizations
Just like SaaS (Software as a Service), MLaaS is hosted by a vendor, which means outsourcing is going to help you reduce your expenses drastically. Since many organizations do not have the infrastructure or the funds to host their own data storage servers, they seek the help of MLaaS vendors to do their bidding. Storing vast amounts of data can be a costly affair especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). What can be better than bringing in vendor managed platforms for data management, and letting them do all the data-driven algorithms? For this very reason, many MLaaS companies offer scalable technology, which can help SMBs pick and choose as per their requirements.

With so much riding high on this technology, there is a lot of scope for machine learning to progress within the near future. The capacity for expansion is limitless, which means companies are becoming more competitive in the market. MLaaS helps small and medium-sized business improve their technology, enhance their services, and lower their overall operational costs.

As the list of benefits increases so does the need for these platforms in everyday functioning within these companies. As more businesses begin to seek the services of machine learning, there is an inherent scope of expansion, as companies start to look for greater benefits from their machine learning partners.

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How Your Small Business can Benefit from Machine Learning
The Future of Data Science Lays within Cloud-Based Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning’s Impact on Cloud Computing

ChefConf 2018

Posted on April 24, 2018January 20, 2021 by Idexcel Technologies

Event Details: ChefConf brings together the best voices in the DevOps and automation industry for a week of insightful, disruptive, and thought-provoking conversations driving digital change in IT. Learn about the state of the art and the state of the future from the minds shaping the direction of modern apps and teams. Return with key insights to help you build, deploy, and manage applications at velocity, and stronger connections to a vibrant worldwide DevOps community.

ChefConf brings together a vibrant and passionate army of IT professionals and business leaders whose jobs and companies have been fundamentally transformed through Chef and the DevOps movement. Connect with 2,000 business leaders and practitioners in Chicago, share your product story with influencers and buyers, and gather the qualified leads to fuel your sales team.

[Know more about the Conference]

About Idexcel: Idexcel is a Professional Services and Technology Solutions provider specializing in Cloud Services, Application Modernization, and Data Analytics. Idexcel is proud that for more than 20 years it has provided services that implement complex technologies that are innovative, agile and successful and have provided our customers with lasting value.

Anand Allolankandy – (Sr. Director Technical Sales & Delivery at Idexcel) will be attending this event. For further queries, please write to anand@idexcel.com

Hybrid Cloud: Defining The Face of Futuristic Cloud Architecture

Posted on April 23, 2018October 18, 2019 by Idexcel Technologies

The future of cloud computing is a matter of hot debate. While some persist in one direction celebrating a unified and hybrid cloud, others have different prospects in mind altogether. Ever-changing cloud technology is rearranging its shape; the forces of business that guide cloud infrastructure have defined new dimensions for cloud technology as a whole.

In the recent years, a trend has evolved in which a more cautious approach is taken on the part of companies; they falsely assume that the cloud is profoundly metered and, therefore, become more judicious about what they move to the cloud. Indeed, they are unaware of the technological advancements that cloud has undergone or will undergo shortly.

One of the most remarkable advancements that have unfolded new dimensions for cloud migration is hybrid technology – a new kind of cloud computing environment that makes use of an amalgamation of on-premises, private cloud, and third-party, public cloud services with orchestration between the two platforms. Hybrid technology allows workloads to move between private and public clouds based on current computing needs and changes in cost, thereby, renders the enterprises greater flexibility and varied data deployment options.

The Hybrid Architecture
• The Hybrid cloud operates upon three primary components of modern-day cloud computing, namely:
• A public Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
• The construction of a private cloud, either on-premises or through a hosted private cloud provider.
• Adequate wide-area network (WAN) connectivity between two environments.

In the hybrid cloud, with use of these three prerequisites, an enterprise can choose a public cloud (which is essential to access compute instances), storage resources, or other services, such as big data analytics clusters or serverless compute capabilities. Enterprises have to architect their private clouds to achieve compatibility with the desired public cloud(s), which involves the implementation of suitable hardware within the data center; this includes servers, storage, a local area network (LAN) and load balancers.

As a next step, the enterprise must deploy a virtualization layer, or a hypervisor, to create and support virtual machines (VMs) and, in some cases, containers. Then, IT teams must install a private cloud software layer, such as OpenStack, on top of the hypervisor to deliver cloud capabilities, such as self-service, automation and orchestration, reliability and resilience, and billing and chargeback. A private cloud architect typically generates a menu of local services, such as compute instances or database instances, which users can choose according to their need.

Selecting hypervisor and cloud software layers that are compatible with the desired public cloud and ensuring proper interoperability with the public cloud’s application programming interfaces (APIs) and services are the critical steps in creating a successful hybrid cloud; this also enhances the migration process between private and public clouds. A creative developer can create advanced applications by mixing the components of various services and resources across the public and private platforms.

Hybrid Cloud Benefits
Apart from flexibility, many other benefits result from the deployment of a hybrid cloud. For example, it enables an enterprise to deploy an on-premises private cloud to host sensitive or critical workloads and use a third-party public cloud provider to host less-critical resources, such as test and development workloads; this keeps security concerns intact while following the business protocols that are most effective.

Manages Fluctuating Workloads
A Hybrid cloud is also the perfect partner of fluctuating workloads; it is valuable for the workloads that are dynamic or highly changeable. For example, businesses that witness seasonal ups and downs in sales, therefore fluctuation in data, may benefit. These businesses can expand their cloud capacity by employing third-party public cloud for less confidential data in sync with their private cloud. The applications run on the private cloud but can use cloud bursting in a situation of extended computing demands through accessing additional computing resources from a public cloud.

Handling Big Data
Suppose in an unexpected situation; an enterprise has to expand its cloud capacity. That enterprise can access a third party public cloud for the sudden need and let go of the space when the need is no more – this saves big bucks for the firm. Additionally, if the firm has the requirement of extended cloud space for a long run, the hybrid cloud seems to be a better choice than a fully committed private area due to its flexibility, affordability, and ease of opting out.

The Mix of IT Services
Hybrid cloud also enables an enterprise to mix IT services and manage them in various combinations; this results in the creative use of cloud space and far better efficiency.

Also Read

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Four Key Steps That Can Enhance and Endure Cloud Migration
How Cloud Migration will help Boost Security and Compliance
True Business Efficiency Combines the Power of Cloud Computing and DevOps Practices

Agile and DevOps: Motivating Digital Readiness and Transformation

Posted on April 20, 2018January 20, 2021 by Idexcel Technologies

In modern-day dynamic environments, nothing can afford to remain stagnant. Primordial attachments are strikingly against the rules of survival, and Digital Transformation follows the same principle. Transformation serves as the key to success of any company operating in today’s business landscape, wherein, Agile and DevOps are the essential components for a successful journey. Employing Agile and DevOps practices help companies enhance their deployment speed, overall efficiency, and customer experience.

The business world has become increasingly competitive; therefore, companies are seeking to adapt to the contentious marketplace. Leaders are aiming to be aggressive about driving adoption of Agile and DevOps within their organizations.

The aforementioned is in theory; however, the practical situation is varied. While most organizations commit fully to the adoption of both Agile and DevOps practices, many find struggles with critical challenges and thus miss out on the numerous benefits these practices can provide. CA Technologies’ research found that while “75% of respondents recognize that Agile and DevOps approaches drive significant business success when implemented together, only a relatively small proportion consider the consistency, depth, and breadth of usage of these practices to be high.” This is due to the lack of insight into the lucrative prospect of Agile and DevOps deployment where organizations stick to custom and conventional practices, unmoved by any motivation for a challenging venture.

The study also revealed the characteristics of ‘Agility Masters’ (the top 18 percent), which are organizations that have fully adopted the methodologies and aim to deploy nearly all of the right moves to make Agile and DevOps, an essential part of their business. The 60% higher rate of revenue and profit growth of these organizations is thus no surprise to anyone. “They are 2.4 times more likely to grow their businesses at a rate of over 20% than their mainstream counterparts.”

These organizations make all departments of their organization as flexible as possible when responding to changing customer demands, market expectations, regulatory changes and market opportunities. All the more important, these organizations do not focus on technology and process alone but rather on the most extensive use of whatever is available to them.

While applying Agile and DevOps, organizations face challenges such as culture improvement, skills development, improving management, and relieving the pressure. Agile and DevOps practices do not work in an isolated environment, maintained exclusively for them. Instead, the process demands a significant shift in mindset and behavior itself, while applying these strategies to the same work environment.

Therefore, to implement Agile and DevOps optimally, the organizations must focus on the following:

Improving Culture
The improved organizational culture and implementation of agile and DevOps go hand in hand. A poor company environment cannot expect agility to bloom. The organization needs to appreciate and reward collaboration, foster an environment where teamwork and coordination are natural. This will, in turn, result in an environment that holds agility and DevOps at the core of all operations. Revising current processes, making processes transparent, and accumulating valuable feedback could well serve as environment reforming strategies.

Skill Development
By providing proper and timely training to employees, companies are more likely to witness a better deployment of Agile and DevOps across the organization, which according to the research results, could amount to a 60% higher rate of revenue and profit growth in comparison to those that don’t provide active training.

Management Commitment
Supervising the entire Agile and DevOps deployment, and filling in the gaps and blocking the loopholes in the whole web of processes, is also necessary for optimal results. The implementation may result in an excessive workload and thus create confusion among the employees. Having management, committed solely to Agile and DevOps, would no doubt, improve the results.

Pressure Release
Ensuring that employees focus on their best work influences the frequency of strategic work. When employees no longer have to interplay with allied organizational problems such as competition, salary, issues with other employees, etc., they can focus more accurately on the work assigned to them. The organizations must help employees prioritize their work to adopt these methodologies.

Agility and DevOps now seem to be the fundamentals prerequisites of a Modern IT environment. Although they do not entirely solve software development problems, they are essential in accelerating the development. With the help of Agile and DevOps, organizations, through transformed richer engagement of employer, employee, and work, can compete more readily in the IT world.

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True Business Efficiency Combines the Power of Cloud Computing and DevOps Practices