Сompanies are increasingly turning to DevOps to streamline software development and achieve faster, higher-quality releases. In fact, 83% of CTOs report a significant boost in business value after adopting DevOps practices. However, the demand for skilled DevOps professionals far outstrips supply: 2022 State of DevOps Report by Accelerate indicates that a mere 11% of professionals possess the advanced skills needed for high-performing DevOps environments. 

 

This talent gap presents a major hurdle for companies seeking to harness the full potential of DevOps. There's a solution that addresses this challenge, while also offering a strategic advantage: DevOps outsourcing. While this approach is considered to be effective by companies worldwide, you can still have concerns about setting up clear communication, visibility, and overcoming cultural differences. 

 

In this article, we'll guide you through the entire process of implementing a DevOps outsourcing strategy, sharing our tips and best practices to help you overcome potential hurdles and maximize the benefits.

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Contents

Why Do You Need to Choose DevOps Outsourcing?

In 2023, DevOps was the second most sought-after tech skill by US recruiters, yet fewer than one in ten teams possess these high-performance capabilities. This creates a significant gap between demand and qualified personnel.

DevOps Market Statistics

Source: IMARC

But here’s the good news: companies that bridge this gap with high-performing DevOps teams see incredible results:

  • More deployments: They can push out updates and features far more frequently, keeping their products competitive and users engaged.
  • Lower failure rates: A skilled DevOps team ensures a robust and stable development environment, leading to fewer bugs and production issues.
  • Faster recovery times: When problems do arise, a strong DevOps team can diagnose and fix them swiftly, minimizing downtime and maintaining user satisfaction.
  • Significantly more stable products: High-performing DevOps practices lead to consistently reliable and bug-free software.

DevOps practices bring undeniable advantages to software development, from streamlined workflows to faster deployments. But how does DevOps outsourcing elevate these benefits further? Let’s dive into the strategic advantages that make it a compelling option:

 Why Do You Need to Choose DevOps Outsourcing?

Tap into a global talent pool

With DevOps engineers being in high demand, finding the right talent can be a challenge, especially in regions where the competition is fierce. Outsourcing throws open the doors to a global talent pool, giving you access to skilled professionals you might not find locally. You can leverage the expertise of DevOps engineers from countries known for their tech prowess, and build a dream team with diverse skills and experiences.

Outsourcing isn’t just about finding more talent — it’s also about smart budgeting. While the average DevOps engineer salary in the US might be around $140,000 per year, you can find equally qualified professionals in Europe for an average of $75,000 annually. This translates to significant cost savings that can be reinvested in other areas of your business. 

Of course, finding the right outsourcing partner takes careful consideration. Look for teams with proven experience, strong communication skills, and a track record of success in your industry.  But once you’ve found the right fit, the benefits can be transformative.

Unleash your internal team’s potential

When your in-house developers are consumed by infrastructure setup, automation scripts, and deployment troubleshooting, they have less time and energy for what they do best: building and innovating on your core product.

With DevOps outsourcing, you’re investing in your team’s creativity, productivity, and overall potential. Your internal department is free to focus on:

  • Core product development: They can dedicate their expertise to designing new features, refining user experiences, and addressing customer feedback, ultimately creating a better product.
  • Innovation: Freed from operational tasks, your developers can brainstorm creative solutions, experiment with new technologies, and drive innovation within your company.
  • Strategic initiatives: Your team can contribute to broader business goals, such as improving customer satisfaction, expanding into new markets, or developing long-term product roadmaps.

A study by Deloitte found that companies that outsource DevOps functions experience a 20% increase in the speed of software delivery. This acceleration is directly linked to the internal team’s newfound ability to concentrate on development tasks without the distractions of DevOps responsibilities.

Choose the Right Software Development Methodology for Your Project

Optimize costs, maximize value

Building a top-notch in-house DevOps team isn’t cheap: you’ve got recruitment costs, training programs, salaries, benefits, not to mention the hardware and software needed to keep everything running smoothly. It all adds up, and it’s not always easy to predict.

Outsourcing flips the script: instead of all those unpredictable expenses, you get a streamlined, predictable cost model. You pay for the expertise you need when required, without the long-term commitments or hidden costs of an in-house team. Outsourcing DevOps can actually lead to a whopping 30% reduction in operational costs — a significant chunk of change that can be reinvested in other areas of your business.

When you outsource DevOps, you’re essentially paying for a service, not building a whole department. This means:

  • No recruitment fees: You don’t have to spend time and money searching for candidates.
  • No training expenses: Your outsourcing partner takes care of keeping their team’s skills sharp.
  • No infrastructure costs: You don’t need to invest in servers, software licenses, or office space for a DevOps team.
  • Predictable pricing: You typically pay a fixed monthly fee or project-based rate, so you know exactly what to expect.

Scale effortlessly, adapt swiftly

Business needs are rarely static: sometimes you need an extra boost to meet a tight deadline, other times you might need to scale back to optimize costs. With an outsourced DevOps team, you have the flexibility to adjust your resources on the fly. Such flexibility matters in terms of:

  • Responding to project demands: When a project suddenly takes off or you land a big client, you can quickly scale up your DevOps team to meet the increased workload. No need to rush through the hiring process or worry about overstaffing when things slow down.
  • Seasonal fluctuations: If your business experiences seasonal peaks and valleys, you can adjust your DevOps resources accordingly. Scale up during busy periods and scale back when things are quieter, optimizing your costs without sacrificing efficiency.
  • Budget management: With an outsourced team, you only pay for the resources you use. This gives you greater control over your budget and allows you to allocate funds where they’re needed most.

Outsourcing providers typically offer flexible engagement models. At Inoxoft, we understand that every business has unique needs and goals, which is why we offer three distinct collaboration models to tailor your DevOps outsourcing experience:

  • Product Development: Perfect if you’re starting from scratch. Share your vision, and we’ll handle everything from concept to deployment, leveraging our DevOps expertise to build a robust and scalable product.
  • Team Extension: Ideal if you have clearly defined requirements. You can seamlessly integrate outsourced DevOps talent into your existing team, expanding your capabilities without the hassle of recruitment and onboarding.
  • Dedicated Team: Take a hands-on approach. Work side-by-side with a dedicated team of experienced DevOps professionals. You retain control over the project while benefiting from their expertise and guidance.

Increased efficiency and speed

In today’s competitive landscape, time-to-market is critical. The faster you can get your products and services into the hands of your customers, the sooner you can start generating revenue and gaining market share. DevOps outsourcing can significantly shorten your development cycles in several ways:

  • Streamlined workflows: Experienced DevOps engineers are experts at optimizing workflows, removing bottlenecks, and automating repetitive tasks, which means your development team can move faster, without sacrificing quality.
  • Continuous integration/Continuous deployment: With robust CI/CD pipelines, your outsourced team ensures that code changes are integrated and deployed frequently and reliably. This reduces the risk of errors and accelerates the delivery of new features and updates.
  • Infrastructure as code (IaC): IaC allows your DevOps team to provision and manage infrastructure resources through code, making it faster and easier to scale your environment as needed. This means you can respond to changes in demand quickly and efficiently.
  • Proactive monitoring and issue resolution: With proactive monitoring and alerting systems in place, your outsourced team can identify and resolve issues before they impact your users. This minimizes downtime and ensures a smooth user experience.

8 Best Software Development Methodologies

How To Implement DevOps Outsourcing Team Into Your Workflow

Bringing an external DevOps team into your existing workflow can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be a seamless and transformative process. We present you a step-by-step roadmap will guide you through each stage, ensuring a smooth transition and maximizing the benefits of your DevOps outsourcing partnership:

How To Implement DevOps Outsourcing Team Into Your Workflow

Step #1: Identify your needs

Before you start your search for the perfect DevOps partner, take a step back and assess your specific needs. You must deeply understand your current challenges, pain points, and areas where you need support. Here’s a checklist to help you get started:

  1. Do you need help with cloud infrastructure setup, configuration, and management? Are you struggling with scalability or security concerns?
  2. Do you want to automate your build, test, and deployment processes for faster and more reliable releases?
  3. Are there manual tasks in your workflow that could be automated to save time and reduce errors?
  4. Do you need better visibility into your application performance, system health, and potential issues?
  5. Are you planning to migrate your applications to the cloud and need expert guidance?

While assessing your needs, it’s helpful to understand the kind of expertise you should expect from a professional DevOps engineer. Here’s a glimpse into their skillset:

  • Proficiency in languages like Python, Java, Ruby, and PHP for scripting and automation.
  • Experience with tools like Ansible, Puppet, Chef, or Terraform for managing infrastructure as code.
  • Deep understanding of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
  • Familiarity with tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, CircleCI, or Travis CI for automating build and deployment processes.
  • Experience with tools like Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, or Datadog for monitoring system health and application performance.
  • Knowledge of security best practices, vulnerability scanning, and incident response.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with your in-house team.

Bonus Tip: Look for engineers with relevant certifications, such as AWS Certified DevOps Engineer (Professional), AWS Certified SysOps Administrator (Associate), Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), and Docker Certified Associate (DCA).

Step #2: Choose the right vendor 

Once you have a clear picture of your DevOps needs, it’s time to find the perfect outsourcing partner. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right fit?

Among the challenges of outsourcing DevOps services is finding a vendor, who can provide solid communication. Most companies succeed only if their communication works outstandingly great. To understand where you are at, think about the distance, culture, timezone, and mentality differences. If you can handle these and communicate well — nothing should trouble you. 

Your remote team should always promote a continuous chance to provide you with the latest feedback and give you the information in the slightest detail. This way you both will be on the same page.

Step #3: Set up communication channels

Effective communication is the lifeblood of any successful outsourcing partnership. Here’s how to ensure smooth communication with your outsourced DevOps team:

  • Establish regular meetings. Schedule weekly or bi-weekly video conferences to discuss progress, address concerns, and align on priorities. Tools like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams are great options.
  • Instant messaging. For quick questions or updates, messaging platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams offer real-time communication and keep everyone in the loop. For project management, Jira or Asana can help you track tasks, deadlines, and overall progress.
  • Share documentation. Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for your projects, including requirements, technical specifications, and deployment procedures. This ensures everyone is on the same page and minimizes misunderstandings.
  • Set clear expectations. Define communication protocols upfront. Specify preferred communication channels, response times, and escalation procedures. This helps prevent delays and ensures issues are addressed promptly.

Step #4: Define roles and responsibilities

When working with an outsourced DevOps team, take the time to define the roles and responsibilities of both your internal team and your outsourcing partner. This will prevent misunderstandings, duplication of effort, and potential conflicts down the road.

A helpful tool for this process is a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RACI). A matrix clearly outlines who is Responsible for completing a task, who is Accountable for the overall outcome, who should be Consulted for input, and who needs to be Informed about progress. This way, everyone knows what’s expected of them and where to turn for guidance.

To enhance communication and ensure everyone is working towards the same goals, consider appointing a dedicated project manager. This person can be from your company or the outsourcing vendor, but their role is crucial in overseeing the project, facilitating communication, and keeping everyone aligned on priorities. They serve as a bridge between the two teams, ensuring a smooth and collaborative workflow.

Step #5: Integrate CI/CD pipelines

DevOps and automation go hand in hand. CI/CD pipelines automate the build, test, and deployment phases of your software, turning what used to be time-consuming manual tasks into an efficient flow.

Working closely with your outsourced DevOps team, implement these pipelines, customizing them to your specific needs. Here’s how CI/CD pipelines revolutionize your workflow:

  • Accelerate development: By automating repetitive tasks, you free up your team to focus on coding and innovation. New features and updates can be deployed faster and more frequently.
  • Improve quality: With automated testing integrated into the pipeline, bugs and issues are caught early in the development cycle. Now, fewer errors make it to production, resulting in a more stable and reliable product.
  • Reduce risk: Manual deployments are prone to human error. Automation minimizes these risks, ensuring consistent and reliable deployments.
  • Enhance collaboration: Your in-house and outsourced teams can work together, sharing code changes and feedback through the pipeline. This fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Ensure your DevOps outsourcing partners have a strong understanding of agile development and CI/CD practices — the two cornerstones of a fast-paced and responsive software development process. When agile development, with an emphasis on iterative progress, flexibility, and collaboration, is combined with CI/CD, it creates a streamlined and efficient workflow that accelerates software delivery and improves overall quality.

4 Elements of a High-Performing Agile Team

Step #6: Monitor and provide feedback

Even with the most skilled and experienced outsourced DevOps team, ongoing monitoring and feedback are crucial for sustained success. Think of it as your compass, guiding you towards continuous improvement and ensuring your collaboration stays on track.

  • Track key metrics: Numbers don’t lie. By defining key performance indicators, you gain valuable insights into the team’s performance. Metrics like deployment frequency, lead time for changes, and mean time to recovery (MTTR) provide a clear picture of how efficiently your DevOps processes are running. These numbers tell a story, revealing areas where you’re excelling and pinpointing opportunities for optimization.

Regularly reviewing these metrics allows you to spot trends, identify potential bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions to fine-tune your workflow. It’s about staying proactive and addressing issues before they escalate.

  • Conduct regular reviews: Set aside dedicated time for review meetings with your outsourced team. This is your chance to discuss progress, address concerns, and celebrate achievements. It’s also an opportunity to brainstorm new ideas, share feedback, and strengthen your working relationship.

Remember, the goal of these reviews is not just to evaluate performance but to foster collaboration and build trust. When both teams feel heard and valued, they’re more likely to go above and beyond to achieve shared goals.

By embracing a continuous feedback loop, you’re investing in the long-term success of your partnership. It’s a commitment to excellence, ensuring your outsourced DevOps team consistently delivers exceptional results and helps your business thrive.

Best Practices for Managing an Outsourced DevOps Team

Partnering with an outsourced DevOps team opens a world of possibilities, but successful collaboration requires a thoughtful approach. Here are some best practices to ensure your partnership thrives:

Best Practices for Managing an Outsourced DevOps Team

Ensure tools alignment

Before kicking off your project, create a comprehensive list of all DevOps tools used throughout your software development lifecycle. This includes everything from version control systems (e.g., Git) and code repositories (e.g., GitHub) to configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible) and cloud infrastructure platforms (e.g., AWS). If your outsourced team is unfamiliar with your preferred tools, discuss training options or explore alternatives that both teams can comfortably use.

Standardize and document your processes

Consistency is key to a successful DevOps collaboration. Create detailed documentation for all your DevOps processes, including development, testing, deployment, and operations. This documentation should outline:

  • Version control practices — how code changes are tracked, reviewed, and merged.
  • Configuration management procedures — how infrastructure is provisioned, configured, and managed.
  • Incident response protocols — how incidents are identified, escalated, and resolved.

This documentation serves as a single source of truth for both teams, reducing confusion and ensuring everyone follows the same procedures.

Foster a collaborative environment

Successful collaboration between your in-house and outsourced DevOps teams is the beating heart of a thriving partnership. It’s about more than just getting tasks done; it’s about creating a shared sense of purpose, mutual respect, and a willingness to learn from each other.

  • Open communication: Encourage open and honest communication between both teams. Create a safe space where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and voicing concerns. Regular check-ins, both formal and informal, help keep the lines of communication open and build trust.
  • Knowledge sharing: DevOps is a constantly evolving field, and learning never stops. Encourage both teams to share their knowledge, expertise, and best practices. You can conduct workshops or training sessions where both teams can learn from each other. This could cover anything from new tools and technologies to specific DevOps practices or industry trends.
  • Celebrate successes together: When your teams achieve milestones or overcome challenges, take the time to celebrate those victories together. This reinforces a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose, motivating everyone to continue working hard and achieving great results.

Why Choose Inoxoft for Your DevOps Outsourcing Needs?

Inoxoft boasts a wealth of experience in DevOps outsourcing, collaborating with numerous clients to optimize their software development processes. While many of our projects are under non-disclosure agreements, we’re proud to highlight the core DevOps services we specialize in:

  • Kubernetes clustering: Harness the power of Kubernetes to efficiently run your containerized applications across diverse environments.
  • CI/CD pipeline setup: Accelerate your development and delivery cycles with seamless automated pipelines.
  • Microservice architecture: Break down complex applications into manageable microservices for enhanced scalability and agility.
  • Serverless architecture: Build and deploy applications without the burden of infrastructure management.
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Manage your cloud resources efficiently and consistently through code-based infrastructure.
  • DevSecOps: Integrate security practices seamlessly into your entire software development lifecycle.

With a proven track record of successful projects, we’ve consistently delivered cutting-edge digital solutions across diverse industries. Our expertise spans the entire software development lifecycle: from initial concept to ongoing maintenance. We specialize in web development, mobile app development, UI/UX design, data analytics, and more, leveraging diverse methodologies to ensure flexibility and adaptability.

Our benefits 

Our client testimonials and case studies showcase our ability to drive results and exceed expectations. We’re proud of the positive impact we’ve had on our clients’ businesses. Here are a few more reasons to choose Inoxoft for outsourcing tech expertise in DevOps engineering:

  • Long-term partnerships: We’re committed to building long-term partnerships with our clients, providing ongoing support and maintenance to ensure the success of your software solutions.
  • Quality assurance: We adhere to strict quality standards throughout the entire development lifecycle, ensuring your DevOps solutions are reliable, scalable, and secure.
  • Transparent communication: We believe in open and transparent communication, keeping you informed throughout the entire development process. You’ll have direct access to your dedicated project manager and development team.
  • Data security and compliance: We implement robust security measures to protect your sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our approach to DevOps outsourcing and the range of services we offer. You can also discover what our satisfied clients have to say about their experience partnering with Inoxoft.

If you’re ready to supercharge your development with Inoxoft’s DevOps expertise, reach out to us and discuss your project. Let us show you how we can help you achieve your goals, streamline your workflows, and deliver high-quality software faster than ever before.

Conclusion

The demand for DevOps expertise is at an all-time high, driven by the need for faster, more efficient, and reliable software delivery. And while building an in-house DevOps team can be costly and time-consuming, outsourcing offers a strategic alternative that provides access to a global talent pool, reduces costs, and accelerates development cycles. 

In this article, we’ve explored how DevOps outsourcing can help your organization overcome the talent shortage and achieve faster, more reliable software delivery. We’ve covered the key benefits of this approach, outlined a step-by-step implementation process, and provided practical tips for successful collaboration.

By following these guidelines, you can confidently navigate the world of DevOps outsourcing and harness its transformative potential for your business. With a DevOps partner that aligns with your specific needs and technical stack, you’ll achieve seamless integration and communication.

Inoxoft is well-equipped to be your trusted partner in this journey. We’re committed to building long-term partnerships with our clients, providing ongoing support and maintenance to ensure the success of your software solutions. Don’t let the challenges of building an in-house DevOps team hold you back. Contact Inoxoft today to discuss how our outsourced DevOps solutions can empower your business to thrive in the digital age.

Frequently Asked Questions

What security measures should I take when outsourcing DevOps?

Data security is paramount when outsourcing any IT function, especially DevOps. Here are some crucial steps to take:

  1. Conduct thorough due diligence on potential vendors. Verify their security certifications (e.g., ISO 27001), data protection practices, and incident response plans.
  2. Establish clear contractual agreements outlining data ownership, access controls, confidentiality, and security responsibilities. Include clauses for data breaches and remedies.
  3. Ensure secure communication channels (e.g., encrypted file transfers, VPNs) are used for exchanging sensitive information.
  4. Conduct periodic security audits of the vendor's systems and processes to ensure compliance with your security standards.

Can I outsource only specific parts of DevOps, or do I need the whole team?

You have the flexibility to outsource specific DevOps functions or engage a full team, depending on your needs and budget. Some common areas for partial outsourcing include:

  • Cloud infrastructure management: Offload the complexities of cloud infrastructure setup, configuration, and maintenance.
  • CI/CD pipeline implementation: Automate your build, test, and deployment processes with expert guidance.
  • Monitoring and observability: Gain deeper insights into your application performance and system health with a specialized team.

If you have a well-defined scope of work and clear requirements, outsourcing specific functions can be a cost-effective way to address specific pain points.

What happens if I'm not satisfied with the outsourced DevOps team's performance?

Open and honest communication is key to resolving any performance issues and ensuring a successful partnership.It's important to address performance issues promptly and constructively.  Start by:

  • Discussing your concerns directly with the team or their manager. Clearly articulate your expectations and identify areas for improvement.
  • Referring to your contractual agreement for clauses related to performance metrics and termination conditions.

If the issue persists, escalate it to higher management within the outsourcing company. And if the situation cannot be resolved, consider exploring alternative vendors or adjusting your outsourcing strategy.

What are some common challenges when implementing DevOps outsourcing, and how can they be mitigated?

  • Communication barriers — Mitigate this by establishing clear communication channels, setting expectations, and fostering a culture of open communication.
  • Cultural differences — Address cultural differences by promoting understanding and respect between teams, and by establishing clear communication protocols.
  • Knowledge transfer — Ensure smooth knowledge transfer by documenting processes thoroughly, providing training, and fostering collaboration between teams.
  • Security concerns — Address security concerns by conducting due diligence on vendors, implementing robust security measures, and establishing clear contractual agreements.