How CI/CD Pipelines Can Lower Device Management Costs

Software release cycles are influenced by various business, technical, and logistical factors, and while DevOps doesn't eliminate these challenges, it helps mitigate their impact through continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices. By dividing the software update process into smaller, manageable components and automating deployment, businesses can reduce risk and accelerate the distribution of updates, resulting in improved customer satisfaction. CI/CD is crucial for managing applications on devices, as it encompasses phases like planning, coding, building, testing, releasing, deploying, operating, and monitoring, with developers handling integration and IT operations managing delivery. However, the transition between these phases can create a barrier, which DevOps aims to dismantle by fostering collaboration and streamlining processes. As software and device complexity increases, the need for robust CI/CD tools becomes more evident, allowing for frequent, reliable updates. Introducing hardware into DevOps adds complexity, but DevOps practices, including continuous deployment, help manage configurations and ensure devices are prepared to run applications effectively. CI/CD pipelines enhance flexibility, reduce silos between development and operations, and address potential issues early, contributing to faster innovation and improved scalability.