Did you develop a fascination for computers at a young age? But have you been put off by the cliché of the software developer sitting alone in the dark basement, eating nothing but chips, Coke and pizza? Then our blog series on jobs in the IT industry is for you. We’re featuring different careers and the people who are responsible at VIALUTIONS for making sure our customers get the IT consulting or software solution they need that fits into their IT landscape.
First of all, DevOps is a combination of two terms: Development and Operations and is used to describe a basic approach to software development. The basic principle in DevOps is to achieve better collaboration between software developers and operational IT teams. Cooperation is to be improved, and thinking in silos reduced. This is intended to accelerate development and optimize the result.
Thus, DevOps is a method for optimizing work throughout the software development lifecycle. The DevOps process resembles an endless loop: this extends from the planning of the software through code, build, test and release phases to the deployment of the software, its operation and monitoring. At the end of the loop, feedback leads back to planning.
DevOps and agile software development mostly go hand in hand.
In the past, software was often developed according to the waterfall principle, i.e. chronologically. The planning phase was followed by the implementation phase. However, since stumbling blocks often arose during implementation that had not been considered beforehand, the implementation phase usually lasted longer than originally calculated. The developers were under time pressure and it was often only at the end of the project that it became clear whether the software was working as desired.
In contrast to the rather rigid waterfall method, the agile way of working is divided into development phases and thus makes it possible to react flexibly to unforeseen difficulties. The goal is to have executable software from day one, but no later than the end of each sprint. This prevents the development of the software from going in the wrong direction. Also the customer sees thereby with each Sprint its product grow and is always close to the development, in order to be able to intervene in case of doubt correcting. This is an important principle, the close interaction and communication between customer and IT service provider.
DevOps goes one step further than agile: Agile requires a change of mindset in the respective team, whereas DevOps requires a change in the entire corporate culture to be successful.
Ela has been working at Vialutions for 2 years as a software developer, working in changing roles within IT such as system administration, software development and requirements management. The fascination for computers and software has been with her since childhood. Nevertheless, she first worked as a physician’s assistant for a long time before taking the step to retrain. “I have not regretted this decision and it was definitely the right one. I really enjoy my work. Vialutions has now given me the chance to familiarize myself with the DevOps area. Especially as a trained IT specialist for system integration and application development, entering the DevOps world is very exciting for me, as it combines exactly the two areas I learned.”
Her tasks include frequent and open communication between the teams. This ensures close collaboration with the development teams. She is also responsible for the installation, configuration and administration of internal as well as customer servers (Windows and Linux). Further tasks are the adaptation, creation and extension of build and release pipelines, version management and system and error analyses including testing. In doing so, she always focuses on communication with the respective customer. Finally, Ela is responsible for creating, reviewing and revising wikis and written documentation.
The tasks are varied and that is exactly what makes working in the DevOps area so appealing to Ela. “It never gets boring. I especially like working in a team and that I can always learn and apply new skills methods and tools.”
DevOps is no longer just a buzzword or a passing trend, but has become a must. Demands on companies are increasing, the IT landscape is changing faster and faster. A high level of responsiveness is required to remain competitive.
The DevOps methodology offers the opportunity to adapt quickly and deliver software in less time and with better quality. Modern companies like Google and Co have led the way, and now DevOps is becoming increasingly popular among traditional companies as well.