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Tag: digital transformation

  • Low Code: The Key to Accelerating Custom App Dev for Moderate Developers

    Low Code: The Key to Accelerating Custom App Dev for Moderate Developers

    Custom app development has become a crucial skill in an increasingly digitized world. Many moderate developers face challenges while creating unique and functional applications. This is where low-code platforms come into play, offering a solution to accelerate app development and compensate for those shortcomings.

    Who are Moderate Developers?

    While every developer is constantly evolving and growing in experience, like any professional, they can be put in three baskets. The first is entry-level developers learning on the job who may assist with debugging, essential documentation, code repository maintenance and some simple feature requests. At the other end are very experienced developers who lead projects, architect solutions, oversee the development of applications and take full ownership of delivering killer features in a new application.

    Moderate developers are those in the middle, representing a large swath of professionals with the foundational expertise to implement most app designs and feature requests. With more experience than beginners but yet to be qualified to serve as seniors on a team, they have a shared set of challenges.

    Understanding the Challenges of Moderate Developers

    Moderate developers often need help with complex application development demands and skill limitations. They are faced with creating high-quality, functional and unique applications, which can be daunting in light of the rapid pace of technological change and user expectations.

    These moderately skilled developers often face common challenges such as:
    ● Limited Expertise: Cultivating an in-depth knowledge of programming languages and development environments is an ongoing process.
    ● Time Constraints: Developing an application from scratch requires significant time. Dedicating effort to a single project can constrain developers and their organizations.
    ● Scalability Issues: Growing and expanding applications increase the need for scaling and can create complexity. Making changes and adding new features can drag down an organization’s ability to focus on new projects.
    ● Security Concerns: Moderate developers may not be aware of an application’s security risks, jeopardizing the protection of a company.

    Low-Code Platforms Offer Hope

    Low-code platforms have been created to meet the needs of moderately skilled developers and competitively focused organizations. The use of tested drag-and-drop elements offers a secure and powerful way to overcome these challenges.

    Creating practical and powerful applications is available through low-code platforms by connecting ready-made templates. This process rapidly creates applications for use as mobile and web-based applications.

    Non-IT professionals can overcome their lack of time and knowledge through low-code platforms. Short-staffed organizations in their IT department can still provide a powerful connection for their services. The team can quickly get to work meeting its primary mission.

    Visual Modeling is the Secret Power of Low-Code Platforms

    Traditional application development involves writing lines of code, testing and managing by an experienced IT staff. Low-code platforms use pre-tested and connected visual components to build and implement successful and secure applications rapidly.

    Low-code developers can see the application they are building from the beginning of the process to its launch. The drag-and-drop aspect of these platforms is more intuitive and user-friendly. Using proven templates offered by these platforms can also help reduce errors.

    Duplicating Success

    Assembling tested and ready-made components boosts the chance of an application’s success. Pre-configured applications are a way to rapidly launch applications with the confidence of a proven track record.

    Low-code platforms offer users the confidence to trust the components while looking straight at their ongoing results from a clear visual perspective. More time and attention can be paid to an application’s unique functionalities rather than the complexity and drudgery of coding.

    Team Building and Collaboration Opportunities

    The visual nature of low-code platforms allows the entire team to play an active role in an application’s development and keeps everyone speaking the same development language.

    Built-in collaboration tools facilitate feedback loops, revision tracking, user stories and messaging, making it easier for teams to work together in the same office or distributed worldwide. Everyone can own the solution while having a positive impact upon its release.

    Ensuring Scalability

    Low-code platforms offer more than a “one and done” opportunity for growth and success. Robust and friendly customer-facing connections await users of low-code platforms who take advantage of their power. They can continue to generate further service opportunities and sales after the initial launch.

    Proven internal processing networks can be extended with the same low-code platforms that started this robust development. Low-code connections can be efficiently expanded using earlier low-code work.

    Ever-changing business needs can be readily addressed with existing low-code platforms. They can continue to offer ready-made templates for internal and external successes that fit an enterprise’s needs.

    The cloud-based nature of low-code platforms ensures a flexible and continuous service of the applications. This helps ensure reliability and responsiveness to a customer’s ongoing needs.

    Choosing the Right Low-Code Platform

    Identifying the best low-code software development platform is based on several key factors that developers must consider:
    ● Ease of use
    ● Scalability
    ● Integration capabilities
    ● Ability to customize applications

    Decision-makers must also consider their team’s expertise when choosing a low-code platform. Trial versions or free tiers can be beneficial for understanding the team’s expertise and a platform’s capabilities to meet an organization’s needs.

    The Future of Low-Code Platforms

    As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, analysts predict a bright future for low-code platforms. The trend will be continued enterprise adoption to ensure faster development and specific business needs. It’s also clear that low-code platforms will only partially replace traditional software development. But by democratizing app development and fostering a more robust culture of innovation, low-code platforms are positioned to significantly shape the future of business in the digital era.

  • Embracing the Future: Navigating the Waves of AI in DevOps

    Embracing the Future: Navigating the Waves of AI in DevOps

    In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the advent of generative AI and large language models (LLMs) has ushered in a new era of innovation and transformation. As IT organizations pivot toward DevOps, DevSecOps and SRE mastery, leaders find themselves at the crossroads of excitement and anxiety. This dual sentiment stems from the vast potential of AI to revolutionize operations and the inherent challenges that accompany generative AI’s integration. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this excitement and anxiety, outline the top use cases for generative AI and provide strategic guidance to ensure a smooth DevOps and digital transformation journey.

    The Catalysts of Excitement

    1. Enhanced Efficiency and Innovation: Generative AI, with its ability to automate complex processes and generate new ideas, promises unprecedented efficiency. It enables IT organizations to streamline development pipelines, reduce manual errors and foster innovation, making the leap toward DevOps and DevSecOps not just a goal but a tangible reality.
    2. Improved Decision-Making: Large language models offer sophisticated data analysis capabilities, turning vast datasets into actionable insights. This empowers leaders to make informed decisions rapidly, optimizing operations and enhancing service reliability in line with SRE principles.
    3. Competitive Advantage: In the digital age, staying ahead means adopting the latest technologies. Generative AI provides a unique competitive edge, allowing organizations to deliver superior digital experiences, innovate products and services and respond to market changes proactively.

    Top Three Generative AI Use Cases in DevOps

    1. Automated Code and Test Generation and Review: AI-driven tools can generate code and test snippets, conduct code reviews and testing and suggest optimizations, accelerating development cycles and improving code quality.
    2. Security Enhancement: By integrating AI into security protocols, organizations can predict and mitigate potential threats more effectively, enhancing their DevSecOps initiatives with proactive rather than reactive measures.
    3. Incident Management and Resolution: AI can automate incident response workflows, predict outages before they occur and suggest remediations, aligning with SRE goals of maintaining high availability and reliability.

    Sources of Anxiety

    1. Ethical and Privacy Concerns: The potential for misuse of AI technologies, including privacy violations and biased decision-making, raises significant ethical questions, creating apprehension among leaders.
    2. Skill Gaps and Workforce Impact: The shift toward AI-centric operations necessitates new skills and roles. Leaders worry about the existing workforce’s ability to adapt and the challenge of filling emerging skill gaps.
    3. Integration and Compatibility Issues: Integrating AI into legacy systems and ensuring compatibility across the digital infrastructure poses technical challenges, complicating the transition to advanced DevOps and SRE practices.

    Navigating the Digital Transformation Journey

    To harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks, leaders should consider the following strategic actions:

    1. Foster an AI-Ready Culture: Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and adaptability. Encourage your team to embrace AI tools and methodologies, emphasizing the importance of upskilling and reskilling.
    2. Implement Ethical AI Guidelines: Develop and adhere to ethical guidelines for AI use, focusing on transparency, accountability and fairness. Ensure privacy and security measures are integral to your AI initiatives.
    3. Invest in Talent and Training: Address skill gaps by investing in training programs and partnerships with educational institutions. Consider hiring AI specialists to bridge the gap between traditional IT roles and AI requirements.
    4. Prioritize Seamless Integration: Adopt a phased approach to AI integration, ensuring compatibility with existing systems. Leverage APIs and microservices architectures to facilitate smoother transitions.
    5. Establish Governance and Oversight: Create a governance framework to oversee AI initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance with regulatory requirements. This should include monitoring AI performance and its impact on operations and workforce dynamics.

    Summary: Seize the AI Opportunity

    As we stand on the brink of a transformative era, the fusion of AI with DevOps, DevSecOps and SRE practices represents a significant leap forward. While the journey is fraught with challenges, the potential rewards are immense. By embracing AI with strategic foresight, ethical consideration and a commitment to continuous improvement, IT leaders can propel their organizations toward unparalleled efficiency, innovation and competitive advantage.

    In conclusion, the integration of AI into DevOps to further accelerate digital transformation is not just an option but a necessity for staying relevant in the digital age. The journey requires careful navigation, but with the right approach, IT organizations can emerge stronger, more agile and better equipped to face the future. Let’s embrace this opportunity to redefine the digital landscape, ensuring our transformations are not just successful but sustainable and responsible.

    Embrace the future; embrace AI.

  • Hybrid Cloud in 2024: Trends and Predictions

    Hybrid Cloud in 2024: Trends and Predictions

    Hybrid cloud environments are becoming increasingly pivotal for DevOps teams, primarily due to their ability to bridge the gap between the rapid deployment of public cloud resources and the security and control of private cloud infrastructure. This blending of environments provides DevOps teams with flexibility and scalability, which is crucial for operating continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) in large enterprises.

    In a hybrid cloud setup, DevOps teams can swiftly deploy and test new applications in a cost-effective and scalable public cloud environment. Once the applications are ready for production, they can be seamlessly transitioned to a private cloud or on-premises environment, where they benefit from enhanced security and control. This allows DevOps teams to optimize their workflows, reduce time to market, and respond more effectively to business needs.

    The hybrid cloud also enables a more collaborative and agile working environment. DevOps teams can leverage various tools and platforms available in the public cloud while ensuring that sensitive data and critical applications are securely managed in the private cloud. This both enhances operational efficiency and improves compliance with data governance and regulatory requirements. These benefits will make hybrid cloud an indispensable asset for DevOps teams in 2024 and beyond.

    What is a Hybrid Cloud?

    Let’s start with a brief definition. A hybrid cloud is a computing environment that combines a public cloud and a private cloud by allowing data and applications to be shared between them. This combination allows businesses to enjoy the best of both worlds, leveraging the scalability and cost efficiencies of public cloud platforms while enjoying the security and control offered by private cloud infrastructure.

    This hybrid cloud model provides businesses with more deployment options and greater flexibility to scale computing resources. It also helps in reducing capital expenditure and improving security by allowing sensitive data to be stored on a private cloud. A hybrid cloud strategy enables businesses to allocate resources efficiently, keeping less critical applications on the public cloud, while mission-critical applications run on the private cloud.

    Current State of Hybrid Cloud Computing

    The hybrid cloud market is in a state of rapid growth and evolution. As businesses increasingly recognize the benefits of a hybrid approach, the adoption of hybrid cloud strategies is on the rise.

    In a world where digital transformation is the norm, hybrid cloud computing has emerged as a key enabler. It offers the flexibility needed to adapt quickly to changing business conditions, the scalability to handle sudden increases in workload, and the security to protect sensitive data. These benefits have made hybrid cloud a cornerstone of digital transformation strategies.

    However, the journey to hybrid cloud is not without its challenges. Businesses are grappling with issues related to data security, compliance, integration, and management. There are also complexities related to workload portability, interoperability, and the need for skilled resources. Despite these challenges, the adoption of hybrid cloud continues to grow as businesses seek to leverage its benefits to drive innovation and competitive advantage.

    Emerging Trends in Hybrid Cloud for 2024

    Increased Adoption Across Industries

    Many industries, including the banking and finance sector, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and even the government sector, are seeing increased adoption of hybrid cloud strategies. This trend is driven by the need for greater agility and flexibility, better cost management, and improved security and compliance.

    In the healthcare sector, for example, hybrid cloud is enabling the integration of disparate systems, facilitating the sharing of patient data, and supporting telehealth initiatives. In the banking sector, it is helping to manage risk, improve customer experiences, and drive innovation. In retail, hybrid cloud is supporting omnichannel strategies, personalizing customer experiences, and improving supply chain efficiency.

    Advancements in Cloud Technology

    The hybrid cloud landscape in 2024 will be shaped by advancements in cloud technologies. Technologies like containers and Kubernetes are simplifying the deployment and management of applications, making it easier for businesses to adopt a hybrid cloud strategy. The rise of serverless computing is also contributing to the growth of hybrid cloud by eliminating the need to manage servers and allowing developers to focus on writing code.

    Furthermore, advancements in networking technologies are making it easier to connect and integrate public and private clouds. The emergence of 5G is expected to further accelerate the adoption of hybrid cloud by providing the high-speed connectivity needed to support real-time applications.

    Integration of AI and Machine Learning

    The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into hybrid cloud environments is a trend that is rapidly gaining momentum. One key aspect of this integration is the ability to use AI for better resource management within the hybrid cloud. AI algorithms can analyze patterns in data usage and application performance, allowing for more efficient allocation of resources across public and private cloud environments.

    Furthermore, AI and ML are also facilitating better data management and analytics. Cloud-based services are making AI/ML more accessible to businesses of all sizes. By integrating these technologies, businesses can unlock insights from vast amounts of data stored across different cloud environments.

    Predictions for Hybrid Cloud in 2024

    Growth in Edge Computing Integration

    By 2024, the integration of edge computing with hybrid cloud architectures is expected to grow significantly. Edge computing brings data processing closer to the location where it is needed, optimizing response times and saving bandwidth. 

    In a hybrid cloud context, this means that organizations can process critical data at the edge, in real-time, while still leveraging the cloud for less time-sensitive tasks. This integration is particularly beneficial for industries like manufacturing and autonomous vehicles, where real-time data processing is crucial. The combination of edge and hybrid cloud computing enables businesses to harness the power of cloud computing while maintaining the speed and efficiency of edge processing.

    Improved Security and Compliance Measures

    In 2024, we anticipate significant advancements in the security and compliance aspects of hybrid cloud environments. As these environments become more complex, the need for robust security measures that span both public and private clouds is crucial. Enhanced encryption techniques, more sophisticated identity and access management systems, and advanced threat detection tools will become standard. 

    Additionally, we expect to see the development of more streamlined compliance benchmarks and frameworks designed specifically for hybrid cloud architectures, simplifying the process of adhering to various regulatory standards and ensuring data privacy and protection across multiple platforms.

    Innovations in Cloud Management Platforms

    The year 2024 is likely to witness substantial innovations in cloud management platforms, driven by the need to manage complex hybrid cloud environments more efficiently. These platforms will offer enhanced capabilities in terms of automation, orchestration, and unified management across multiple cloud services. 

    The use of AI and machine learning for predictive analysis, resource optimization, and proactive problem resolution will become more prevalent. These platforms will also provide better tools for cost management and analytics, giving businesses a more granular understanding of their cloud usage and enabling more cost-effective decision-making.

    Customizable and Flexible Cloud Solutions

    As hybrid cloud environments continue to evolve, 2024 will likely see a rise in more customizable and flexible cloud solutions tailored to specific business needs. Providers will offer a range of options that allow businesses to mix and match services from both public and private clouds, creating highly personalized cloud environments. 

    This customization will extend to aspects like security, performance, and compliance, allowing businesses to fine-tune their cloud infrastructure to their specific requirements. Such flexibility will be particularly beneficial for businesses in niche markets or those with unique operational needs, enabling them to leverage the power of cloud computing without compromising on their specific requirements.

    Conclusion

    By 2024, hybrid cloud computing will have significantly evolved, becoming a critical component in the digital transformation strategies of various industries. This technology offers a blend of public and private cloud benefits, crucial for DevOps teams in terms of flexibility, scalability, and security. The integration of advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and edge computing will enhance resource management, data analytics, and real-time data processing. Additionally, the hybrid cloud’s role in ensuring agility, better cost management, and compliance is expected to drive its wider adoption across sectors like healthcare, banking, retail, and government.

    The landscape will also see advancements in security and compliance, with sophisticated measures spanning both cloud types and cloud management platforms will evolve to include AI and machine learning for more efficient operations. Customizable and flexible cloud solutions will become prevalent, allowing businesses to tailor their cloud environments according to specific needs. Overall, hybrid cloud in 2024 will be a strategic enabler, equipping businesses with the necessary tools and capabilities to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

  • BMC Mainframe Survey Results Show a Platform on the Rise

    BMC Mainframe Survey Results Show a Platform on the Rise

    What if I told you that the oldest active computing platform is also one of the most innovative, seen as a platform for growth and new workloads, not just by seasoned professionals, but by a new generation of stewards, too? The 2023 BMC Mainframe Survey shows just that. In addition to an overwhelmingly positive perception and growth mindset regarding the mainframe, the survey reveals that the majority of those who are most enthusiastic about its future are relative newcomers to the platform.

    Now in its 18th edition, the annual BMC Mainframe Survey gauges the opinions of more than 800 executive and technical professionals on a range of topics, from overall perception of the platform to top priorities, common practices and greatest challenges.

    This year’s results show that 94% of respondents have a positive perception of the mainframe, with 62% citing it as a platform to grow and attract new workloads. This tracks the 62% who report adopting DevOps practices on the platform. It’s no surprise, then, that two of the top five priorities cited by respondents are efforts to enhance automation and modernize applications. Organizations around the world recognize that the mainframe can be a leader in innovation, powering their digital transformations.

    Modern Management Approaches

    This innovation goes beyond the software and services developed for the mainframe to include those used to manage the platform. It’s reported that 35% of respondents listed the implementation of cloud technologies as one of their top four priorities for the coming year, with 41% saying they are considering cloud-based storage and backup. With the growing volume of mainframe data and the emergence of new regulations and standards governing data security and recovery, organizations are turning to cloud-based data management to reduce costs and improve recovery options.

    Year over year, the number of survey respondents reporting the use of AIOps hasn’t changed considerably, but those reporting its cross-platform use on both mainframe and non-mainframe systems has jumped 7% from 2021.

    Organizations are recognizing the need to take advantage of the greatest business values of AIOps — cited in the survey as improved uptime and the ability to detect problems quickly, understand trends and respond proactively — as part of a holistic approach to enterprise IT operations management.

    With increased cross-platform use, significant benefits and a decrease in the number of respondents reporting implementation challenges like cost, complexity and the need for specialized skillsets, BMC sees AIOps as an area ripe for significant growth in the coming year.

    Investment Pays Dividends

    Improving the availability, quality and efficiency of the mainframe, of course, requires investment. In our report on the results of the 2023 BMC Mainframe Survey, we compare the responses of maximizers (those planning to increase investment in the platform) with those of minimizers (those planning to decrease investment levels). The results are eye-opening.

    Maximizers have invested in future-proofing their workforce in a variety of ways, and the data bears that out; 81% have ten or fewer years of experience on the platform. The new generation of stewards sees the mainframe not as a legacy platform, but one of continued growth and innovation, worthy of the investment required not just to keep it modern, but to place it at the forefront of digital transformation.

    Another key difference between maximizers and minimizers relates to security, which was cited as the top overall priority of survey respondents for the fourth consecutive year. Maximizers are more likely than minimizers to have a dedicated resource to investigate security events and to have dedicated ransomware recovery capabilities in place. It should come as no surprise, then, that maximizers were 20% more likely than minimizers to report that their mainframe security controls for ransomware are extremely effective.

    These results show that the differences between maximizers and minimizers go beyond outlook, producing tangible effects on outcomes. The maximizers increasing their investment in the mainframe report fewer challenges with staffing and skills shortages and a stronger stance against increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats. The minimizers decreasing their investment in the platform not only have greater difficulty in maintaining a skilled workforce, which increases the risk of falling behind competitively, but it also puts their organizations at serious risk of potentially catastrophic security breaches.

    A Bright Future

    In short, the results of the 2023 BMC Mainframe Survey reflect a positive outlook for the platform’s future. By investing in their workforces and the tools required to advance and protect the platform while adopting modern techniques and practices, organizations can reduce risk and promote innovation that delights their customers.

  • Technological Breakthroughs in Hurricane Forecasting

    Technological Breakthroughs in Hurricane Forecasting

    The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season marks a transformative era in tropical forecasting, driven by the remarkable progress in machine learning and big data analysis. It’s a rapidly evolving field, where technology and meteorology intersect to better prepare the public for the formidable forces of Mother Nature.

    NOAA’s 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projects that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will produce 12 to 17 named storms, with five to nine major (Category 3+) hurricanes. NOAA expresses 70% confidence in these ranges, bolstered by its evolving technology.

    Leveraging Technological Innovations for Advanced Hurricane Forecasting and Resilience
    A summary infographic showing hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms predicted from NOAA’s 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook. (Image credit: NOAA)

    Upcoming Upgrades: Supercomputing System Expansion

    The recent implementation of the Probabilistic Storm Surge model improves storm surge forecasting for the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The model provides forecasters with a range of potential flooding scenarios, enhancing community preparedness. 

    NOAA plans to implement several more upgrades this summer, including a 20% expansion of its operational supercomputing system’s capacity. This enhancement will enable NOAA to run more complex forecast models, leading to more accurate predictions.

    In late June, the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) becomes operational. Running in tandem with the current Hurricane Weather Research and Forecast Model System, HAFS is projected to show a 10-15% improvement in track forecasts over existing models.

    HAFS represents a significant leap forward in the integration of machine learning algorithms and sophisticated data analysis techniques. By leveraging state-of-the-art computational models and assimilating an extensive array of meteorological data, HAFS has the potential to unlock new insights into the behavior and trajectory of tropical cyclones. This fusion of technology and meteorology is projected to surpass the capabilities of existing models.

    Harnessing Machine Learning for Advanced Forecasting

    The core strength of HAFS lies in its ability to process vast amounts of atmospheric and oceanic data, utilizing advanced machine learning algorithms to identify patterns and correlations. These algorithms can discern intricate relationships between various meteorological variables, such as sea surface temperatures, atmospheric pressure, and wind patterns, enabling more precise forecasting. By comprehensively analyzing historical storm data and incorporating real-time observations, HAFS can generate forecasts with higher accuracy and longer lead times.

    HAFS also harnesses the power of high-performance computing, allowing for faster and more complex simulations. This computational prowess enables the system to simulate a multitude of possible scenarios, accounting for various atmospheric conditions and factors that influence hurricane behavior. The ability to run multiple simulations and generate ensemble forecasts enhances the robustness of predictions and provides forecasters with a comprehensive range of possibilities.

    Innovative Technologies: Drones, Saildrones, Underwater Gliders, and Sounding Balloons

    Innovative technologies like small aircraft drone systems, additional Saildrones, underwater gliders, and WindBorne global sounding balloons will contribute to advancing knowledge and improving hurricane forecast accuracy. 

    Small aircraft drone systems offer a unique vantage point for data collection in the lower atmosphere, enabling meteorologists to gather critical information on temperature, humidity, wind patterns, and other atmospheric variables. These drones are equipped with advanced sensors and instruments, allowing them to navigate through hurricane environments and provide valuable real-time data that can significantly improve forecast models.

    Saildrones, alternatively, are autonomous surface vehicles equipped with an array of meteorological and oceanographic sensors. They harness wind and solar energy for propulsion, enabling them to traverse vast oceanic regions and collect crucial data on sea surface temperatures, ocean currents, and other parameters relevant to hurricane formation and intensification. By expanding the fleet of Saildrones, scientists can enhance their observational capabilities and obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere during hurricane events.

    Underwater gliders, equipped with sensors and instruments, offer a unique perspective beneath the ocean’s surface. These autonomous vehicles can collect data on temperature, salinity, and ocean currents, providing valuable insights into the oceanic conditions that influence hurricane development and intensity. By combining data from underwater gliders with other observational platforms, scientists can gain a more holistic understanding of the underlying processes that fuel tropical cyclones.

    WindBorne global sounding balloons ascend to the upper levels of the atmosphere, collecting data on temperature, humidity, and wind patterns. This information is vital for initializing and validating numerical models used in hurricane forecasting, enhancing the accuracy of predictions.

    Leveraging Technological Innovations for Advanced Hurricane Forecasting and Resilience
    NOAA GOES satellite captures Hurricane Ian as it made landfall on the barrier island of Cayo Costa in southwest Florida on September 28, 2022.

    Improving El Niño & La Niña Forecasts

    The Tropical Atmosphere Ocean buoy array is undergoing modernization and upgrades, bolstering the accuracy of El Niño and La Niña forecasts. These climate patterns have significant impacts on hurricane activity, and accurate predictions of their behavior are crucial for understanding the overall climate system. 

    By modernizing and enhancing the buoy array, scientists can gather more precise data on oceanic and atmospheric conditions associated with El Niño and La Niña, leading to more accurate long-range hurricane forecasts.

    New tools and upgrades have also been introduced for more precise hurricane analysis and forecasting. The National Hurricane Center has expanded its Tropical Weather Outlook graphic forecast range to seven days from five. To give communities more time to prepare, the Weather Prediction Center has also extended the Excessive Rainfall Outlook by two days.

    Leveraging Technological Innovations for Advanced Hurricane Forecasting and Resilience
    A summary graphic showing an alphabetical list of the 2023 Atlantic tropical cyclone names as selected by the World Meteorological Organization. The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 and runs through November 30. (Image credit: NOAA)

    Bolstering Resilience Against Future Hurricanes

    The integration of these innovative technologies and the modernization of existing observational systems expands observational capabilities both in the atmosphere and the ocean to track and monitor storms. The evolution of forecasting techniques holds promise for even greater resilience against future hurricanes, showcasing the remarkable impact of technological advancements in safeguarding coastal communities.

  • Dynatrace Survey Surfaces State of DevOps in the Enterprise

    Dynatrace Survey Surfaces State of DevOps in the Enterprise

    A global survey of 1,300 CIOs and DevOps managers working for organizations with more than 1,000 employees published today finds more than three-quarters of respondents work for organizations (78%) that deploy software updates into production every 12 hours or less, with more than half (54%) say they do so at least once every two hours. A total of 20% report they are deploying updates every minute or less.

    Conducted by the market research firm Coleman Parkes on behalf of Dynatrace, the survey also finds 90% of respondents reporting that the pace of digital transformation within their organization has accelerated in the past 12 months. More than a quarter (26%) expect the pace of digital transformation to continue to accelerate, the survey found.

    However, 55% of respondents work for organizations that make tradeoffs between quality, security and user experience to meet the need for rapid transformation. A total of 41% of respondents said they must sacrifice code quality and user experience due to meet demands for faster innovation, while more third (34%) also need to sacrifice code security.

    Overall, DevOps teams, on average, spend nearly a third (31%) of their time on manual tasks involving detecting code quality issues and vulnerabilities that conspire to slow the pace of innovation, the survey found.

    To address these issues, organizations plan to increase their spending on automation across development, security and operations by 35% by 2024, as they invest more in continuously testing software quality (54%) and securing production environments (49%), automatic vulnerability detection and blocking (41%) and automating release validation (35%). The average budget allocated to these activities in these large organizations is $9.1 million, the survey finds.

    A full 88% of CIOs said the convergence of observability and security practices will be critical to building a DevSecOps culture, with 94% noting that extending a DevSecOps culture to more teams is key to accelerating digital transformation. Only 27% of respondents claimed to fully adhere to a DevSecOps culture today. The biggest obstacles to achieving that goal are that security teams don’t trust developers (55%), developers perceive security teams to be blockers of innovation (49%) and the silos that exist between teams (36%).

    Organizations expect to increase their annual investment in DevSecOps automation by 2024 an average of 35%, but only a quarter (25%) said applying artificial intelligence to security was a priority. At the same time, only 28% of respondents said they are fully confident applications are fully tested for vulnerabilities before they are deployed.

    A total of 90% said increasing the use of AI for IT operations (AIOps) will be key to scaling up these practices. However, 70% of respondents said they need to improve their trust in the accuracy of AI’s decisions before they can automate more of their continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline.

    Bob Wambach, vice president of product marketing for Dynatrace, said there is a clear correlation between that accelerated pace of digital transformation and a need to deliver more frequent software updates that is driving those investments. Most organizations, however, are going to find it difficult to achieve all their goals unless they break down the silos that prevent them from automating and observing modern DevSevOps workflows, he added. Achieving that goal will also require DevOps teams to reevaluate which platforms they are employing as they move to reduce the current level of friction encountered when building and deploying applications, he added.

    It’s too early to say just how soon DevSevOps workflows will define the next era of software development. One way or another, it’s certain that every organization that embraces DevOps will need to address lingering application security issues.

  • Complexity is Still With Us

    Complexity is Still With Us

    We have come a long way and had a lot of improvements over the years, but we still struggle with the ability to simplify things faster than we create complexity. It isn’t enough that each new wave of Really Important Bits™ comes with its own issues and layers and complexity; we also haven’t been cleaning up our previous Really Important Bits™ projects. We haven’t cleaned up the successful ones and we haven’t cleaned up the failures.

    It is time to start. Honestly, we are looking at an extended stretch of ‘Do More With Less,’ and we need to get our houses in order. Want to do more with less? Start by standardizing. Yes, that one project that used Really Important Bits™ (or its companion product Really Cool Tech™) was neat and all, but keeping a technology and its layers and pieces laying around for a single project is not great management. In fact, it isn’t management at all; it is letting things happen. I’d call it chaos, but then we’d have to have a whole conversation about Dungeons & Dragons and, frankly, it is happening in the forum of the overall enterprise architecture so it’s not actually chaos, it is simply excess technical debt.

    DevOps was never meant to be a destination, but on this cross-country road trip, our IT car will get filled with garbage if we don’t take the time to clear out the Really Important Things™ of last year or the last management team or the latest merger. We cannot continue to layer more on without relieving pressure somewhere. AI has the potential to offer some pressure relief in some areas, but we were already behind, so for a variety of reasons, it isn’t the silver bullet we need. Those reasons are simple–it is less secure to leave 50 different ways to do the same thing laying around. AI is resolving some problems and freeing up time, but you’re still wasting time and money on redundant or unused Really Important Things™.

    Some things simply cannot be cleaned up without a massive investment. That’s fine—I hope after years of using DevOps methodologies you have them on a list of things that you’d like to upgrade/replace, but it just isn’t feasible to do so. Focus on the things that you can simplify. The famous low-hanging fruits are fine, just like simplifying things in the early days of DevOps meant that each piece of low-hanging fruit freed up more time to focus on other issues, the same is true now that the low-hanging fruit is generated from DevOps. Or DevOops, in some cases.

    How did I get here, you ask? I was writing a simple overview of Git, CI/CD, DevOps, DevSecOps, GitOps, etc., etc. for a newer technologist, and realized that in between those important parts are a whole lot of tools and technologies we thought were important, but which are no longer terribly useful or necessary. I did her the favor of not including the by-the-wayside technology spaces and product markets. I removed the complexity, you could say.

    And keep rocking it. No matter how far along you are in your IT career, you can look back at all of the things you have learned. Apply that learning to simplifying and improving. Reduce overhead by reducing redundancy and look forward to the next Really Important Thing™ you’ll get to learn about. Keep improving—both your knowledge and the environment. And we’ll keep cheering you on.

  • Broadcom Survey Reveals Spike in VSM Adoption

    Broadcom Survey Reveals Spike in VSM Adoption

    Value stream management (VSM) is gaining traction as organizations look to find ways to engage customers more efficiently via digital business transformation initiatives.

    A survey of 500 executives, IT and business leaders conducted by Dimensional Research on behalf of Broadcom published this week found 39% of respondents implemented a VSM platform with another 16% having some equivalent capability. Another 31% said their organizations is moving in the direction of adopting a VSM platform. A total of 60% of respondents indicated that they will be using VSM to deliver products in 2023, with 95% of organizations that have adopted VSM also engaged in digital transformation.

    Laureen Knudsen, chief transformation officer for Broadcom, said the primary goal is to close the divide that has emerged over the years between software development teams and the rest of the business. More than two-thirds of respondents (68%) reported there are disconnects between the business and software development.

    Overall, the Broadcom survey identified increasing customer value (58%), improving product quality (55%), reducing costs (51%), adding more customers (50%, increasing profits (49%) and increasing speed to market (45%) as the top strategic issues organizations face in 2023.

    The top benefits derived from investing in VSM were increased transparency (42%), improved organizational alignment (39%), faster solutions to customers (38%), data-driven decision-making (37%) and improved access to data (36%).

    VSM traces its lineage back to lean manufacturing methods, which called for each step of a manufacturing process to be continuously measured. As software development has evolved and organizations realize how dependent they are on software, there is a growing appreciation for the value of monitoring things such as the impact of missed software development deadlines on the business. At their core, VSM platforms aggregate DevOps metrics and then match them to a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) defined by business leaders. Once those metrics are gathered and correlated, organizations can apply advanced analytics. The goal is to apply algorithms and other forms of predictive analytics that will enable organizations to more easily identify the precise impact software development processes have on the business.

    Knudsen said the survey makes it clear a lack of discipline when it comes to software engineering now needs to be addressed as organizations realize how dependent they are on applications to engage customers. Many organizations have, for example, adopted flawed approaches to agile development that wind up creating chaos across the software development life cycle, she noted.

    Many organizations, for example, are unsure how much time development teams are spending on retiring the technical debt accrued within legacy applications versus actually working on developing new applications, Knudsen added.

    Business conditions tend to change rapidly, so aligning software development with corporate goals is difficult. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents said they are frustrated by the state of the business and constant changes to strategy. Digital business transformation initiatives, however, will require organizations to adopt a more structured approach to software engineering, said Knudsen.

    The issue, of course, is the pace at which businesses are already being digitally transformed. The accelerated pace requires almost immediately re-engineering software development processes for them to succeed.

  • Predict 2023: Stand and Deliver

    Predict 2023: Stand and Deliver

    It’s that time of year again—the New Year’s ritual: Time to predict the big trends in your world for the new year. By now you have probably seen dozens of headlines, articles, videos and interviews telling you what big trends will shape the coming year. Here at Techstrong Group, our Predict virtual event is built around this New Year’s ritual. This year, Predict is January 12, 2023 and, not to blow our own horn, but I think it is our best Predict event yet.

    What sets this event apart? Well, we have a real Techstrong Research team now headed up by Mike Rothman and Mitchell Ashley who are leading this year’s Predict event. We will have four tracks: DevOps, cybersecurity, cloud-native and digital transformation. Each track will kick off with either Mitchell or Mike presenting a Techstrong Research trends report for that market.

    After the trends report, there will be a keynote panel featuring some of the top thought leaders in each of these fields. This will be followed by other sessions that explore what this upcoming year has in store. Many of these sessions will be streamed live on January 12, 2023 and allow for audience questions and input.

    But wait—there’s more! One session I am really looking forward to features John Willis and Damon Edwards live at Techstrong Group Studios giving us their personal predictions for 2023. John and Damon need no introduction to the DevOps community. This should be a great session, so don’t miss it. I am also moderating two great panels; one is with C-level executives from CloudBees, JFrog and GitLab and Kohsuke Kawaguchi (KK), the creator of Jenkins and co-CEO of Launchable. The other panel features my friend Emmet Keefe of Insight Ignite who has his finger on the pulse of the digital transformation market.

    The best part? We’ll have a live chat available so you can interact with the speakers and network with your fellow attendees. And you can register and attend Predict 2023 for free. That’s right—this analyst-led, daylong virtual interactive event is free. Don’t wait! Head over right now and register here.

    Another highlight will be the announcement of our DevOps Dozen winners at the event. This year, the DevOps Dozen broke all of our previous records for both nominations and community votes. It has been quite a tough job selecting the winners from such incredible submissions and nominations.

    I haven’t even mentioned the amazing cybersecurity sessions hosted by Mike Rothman or the sessions covering the cloud-native vision with Mitchell Ashley and digital transformation with Mike Vizard. There is just so much great insight you won’t want to miss.

    A big thank you to all of the sponsors, panelists and speakers who help us make this event a true standout. If you want to get a head start on learning about big trends for 2023 and how they’ll impact cloud-native, cybersecurity, DevOps and digital transformation, check out these articles and register for Predict 2023 on January 12, 2023. We hope to see you there!