The provision of technical environments is often a challenge – whether for development, testing or production. The environments are essential for creating, testing and operating software. Nevertheless, many companies and teams rely on manual processes that are time-consuming, error-prone and difficult to scale.
The good news: automation offers solutions. Automated configuration of environments is particularly beneficial for companies that develop or operate software – both in the cloud (e.g. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), in on-premise data centres and in hybrid scenarios – and use agile methods where rapid iterations and frequent deployments are common requirements.
Driving automation forward: Understanding and overcoming barriers
Despite the clear advantages of automation, there are obstacles in many companies that slow down the implementation of automation processes:
- Lack of expertise: According to a survey conducted in 2023, the most common reason for barriers to establishing automation is a lack of expertise (44%). Many companies do not have the internal resources or knowledge to use tools such as Terraform or Ansible effectively.
- Concern about initial outlay: The fear of high initial costs and the time investment prevents companies from realising the long-term benefits. For managers, the introduction of automation is also associated with concerns about business continuity.
- Lack of strategy and planning: According to a study, almost two thirds (62%) of business managers in Germany believe that resources for automation are often invested in isolation and without considering the impact on other processes. Without clear objectives or a structured approach, automation often falls by the wayside.
How COCUS can help you set up automation
COCUS offers a comprehensive framework to accompany companies from the planning to the implementation of automation in companies:
- Analysis and strategy development: Together we develop a customised automation strategy that fits seamlessly into existing processes.
- Implementation with best-in-class tools: With solutions such as Terraform, Ansible or cloud-native services, environments can be implemented as code and ensure repeatability.
- Integration and enablement: CI/CD pipelines are important to seamlessly integrate the setup of environments into existing workflows. COCUS aims not only to provide companies with solutions, but also to enable internal teams to continue automations in the long term.
The advantages of automation for companies
1. Faster time-to-market: Environments can be deployed in minutes rather than days, significantly shortening development cycles.
2. Cost savings: Standardisation and efficiency reduce personnel and operational costs.
3. Higher software quality: Consistent environments prevent errors and improve the stability of applications.
Competitive automation strategy & enduring project successes
The automated provision of technical environments is an essential step for companies that want to remain agile and competitive. COCUS knows the typical challenges and has the right expertise and a proven framework to support companies in planning and implementation. With successful automation, companies not only create more efficient processes, but also lay the foundation for increased software quality and long-term project success.
