DevOps platform

Benefits of a DevOps platform

Ease of use

From code reviews to automated testing, incident management and monitoring, using a unified platform means every single part of DevOps is much more straightforward and, in some cases, actually doable for the first time.

Better collaboration

Business partners can actually see what’s going on with software development, release cycles, and customer feedback all in one place. Software teams will have fewer miscommunications, too.

Safer code

More testing, baked earlier into the process, means improved security, faster releases, and improved customer satisfaction.

Tighter feedback loops

Visibility and traceability are the hallmarks of a DevOps platform because everything is in one place. Troubleshooting has never been easier.

Performance monitoring

A DevOps platform allows teams to stop guessing at how software will work and actually see real world results.

Fewer compliance headaches

Move to a DevOps platform and suddenly all of those things that had to be tracked and recorded will be handled automatically.

Less technical debt

It’s easy to get even non-developers on board with reducing technical debt when everyone can see the burden it imposes, thanks to a single DevOps platform.

Save time, save money

A DevOps platform saves teams time (fewer tools to integrate, update, and maintain) and money (fewer tools to purchase, period).

Get ready for a DevOps platform

Want to make sure your team is ready to get the most out of a DevOps platform? Here are seven things to consider before you begin:

1. Do you really understand your team’s workflow? You won’t get the biggest benefit from a DevOps platform if you don’t set it up to reflect the reality of how your team operates. There’s no right or wrong here.
2. Culture matters and that’s particularly true when it comes to rolling out a DevOps platform. Make sure your messaging about a new DevOps platform will resonate with your team and organizational culture.
3. It’s all about deployments, so it makes sense to understand exactly how your team deploys now, what the hiccups are, and how you plan to address them before you add a DevOps platform to the mix.
4. Security is top of mind for many teams and a DevOps platform can make that even easier. Make sure to assess where your team is today, and what the goals are, and set simple goals to achieve. A DevOps platform can streamline security but the best way to proceed is through what we call iteration or small changes.
5. A DevOps platform is a great opportunity to add in some advanced technology like machine learning or artificial intelligence. Take the time before rolling it out to consider what your team might like to experiment with.
6. A “minimum viable product” is a worthy goal (well, we think so at GitLab) and it means the product is ready for prime time, but just ready. Considering an “MVP” mindset makes sense as you also consider a DevOps platform – the platform will help teams get to an MVP sooner and the other bonus of an MVP is teams can continue to iterate on it until it’s completely ideal.
7. Finally, a unified DevOps platform allows unique visibility and traceability through the entire software development lifecycle. Make sure your team and all other software development stakeholders take advantage of these features.