As businesses shift towards cloud native workloads – often embracing microservices and container technologies – we typically find them grappling with common challenges on their journey to transform.

• As developers explore the wide range of Azure services, their demand for new cloud native features climbs sharply, often leaving operations and security teams struggling to keep up and offer the support required.

• Customer teams often find themselves bogged down by the responsibility of managing extensive legacy tech, which can overwhelm them, making it tough to maintain the quality of the growing number of cloud native platforms and applications in use.

• Gaining expertise in cloud native solutions is a time-consuming process, involving team certifications, research, and plenty of hands-on experience. Many internal IT operations teams and their managed service partners may not have had the chance to delve into modern cloud native platforms yet, which are essential for integration into mature DevSecOps processes managed with code.

• Even when teams possess the required skills and capacity, they often lack the dedicated time to enhance and modernise their operational frameworks, so they can seamlessly incorporate various cloud native technologies.

Modern Azure operations require a cloud native maturity that is crucial for adopting new Azure services like containers, Kubernetes, Azure cognitive services, and leading CNCF technologies.

Why we built SpecOps

Some time ago, we realised that we were in a unique position to offer our customers support for their critical platforms, workloads, and services on Azure. This was made possible by our Infrastructure as Code (IaC) approach in deploying those workloads. We recognised that we could provide this support more efficiently than traditional support organisations because our Operations team would be deploying and managing the same code modules as our Professional Services team. That's when our Specialist Operations team (SpecOps) was born.

Today, we can offer our customers a range of flexible service packages to suit their specific needs including:

• Simple proactive maintenance contracts through to 24x7 full operational cover of all or a subset of cloud services

• Flexible contracts that offer monthly resource capacity on demand

• Dedicated squad resources that work alongside existing teams, providing additional capacity and certified expertise

We work closely with our customers' IT operations teams, enhancing their capacity and capabilities as they transition to cloud native architectures in alignment with industry trends.

Growing SpecOps

Our SpecOps team represents a forward-looking service function explicitly crafted to support the dynamic landscape of cloud platforms, workloads, and services. We understand the pivotal role that cloud technology plays in shaping the future of businesses. Our team takes on the responsibility of meticulously managing all Azure platforms, employing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to harness the full potential of Azure.

However, to provide such a high-quality service, we recognised the need to cultivate a highly skilled and proficient professional team. From this recognition, our technical development academy emerged – affectionately nicknamed "The Yakademy". It serves as the nurturing ground for our team members, both new and experienced.

The Yakademy is more than just a training program; it's a holistic approach to building expertise and competence. New team members embark on a comprehensive training plan that covers the spectrum of required certifications. These certifications act as a foundation, equipping our team with the knowledge and skills essential for tackling the complexities of cloud native services effectively.

But we don't stop at certifications alone. We believe in learning by doing. That's why we pair up our newer staff with seasoned members of both the SpecOps and Professional Services teams. This mentorship not only accelerates the learning process but also ensures that our new talents are equipped to take on real-world customer work with confidence.

Working with our customers

Our journey with customers is built on a foundation of trust and experience. As we work alongside businesses in their cloud ventures, we've come to understand the real-world challenges and opportunities they encounter. Our commitment to them extends beyond just service; it's about creating a meaningful partnership.

Among the benefits we offer, here are a few that we've seen make a real difference to our customers:

• We've witnessed how crucial it is for businesses to optimise their cloud spending. Our experience in crafting cost-effective cloud infrastructures has helped our customers maintain control over their expenses while meeting their goals.

• Our experience has shown us that ensuring secure delivery and support throughout the supply chain is essential and so we work diligently to build security in at every step.

• The modern tech landscape often involves a mix of in-house and third-party tools. Our hands-on experience has taught us the importance of providing seamless support for these integrated solutions.

But it's not just about providing services; it's about understanding the unique journey of each customer. We know that managing Azure alongside traditional infrastructure is a complex task. We've stood beside our customers as they transition to a more modern operational model.

We don't just offer support; we become an integral part of our customers’ team. Our extensive experience allows us to offer the guidance and expertise that is essential for success. In an upcoming blog, we'll take a closer look at the activities of our SpecOps team and share insights into how we operate and support our customers.

If you're eager to learn more about our services before then, we invite you to get in touch with us for a chat. Get started now and enjoy a free-of-charge Discovery Consultation to review your platform(s) operational strategy and receive a recommendations report with next steps.

Additionally, we'd be delighted to provide you with a copy of our SpecOps Brochure. Just drop us a line and we'll be happy to assist you in exploring the many ways we can help you navigate the complexities of modern cloud operations.