Kubernetes is a promising enterprise software development—but commercial construction organizations shouldn’t let the complexity of this advanced technology overshadow its extensive benefits. From increased reliability, quicker software deployment of much-needed applications for the construction industry, and easier system configuration to enhanced computer resource utilization, Kubernetes can steer construction businesses through the complexity of cloud computing through containerized applications.
Integrating Kubernetes into enterprise technology stacks not only increases production, efficiency and profit margins but can allow businesses to adapt to any market changes or new opportunities—and already many businesses are starting to embrace the new future of enterprise software development. By 2023, Gartner predicts that 70% of organizations will be running multiple containerized applications on a global scale.
In a recent VMware study, 95% of participants realized benefits from Kubernetes, including 56% who said they saw improved resource utilization. This means reduced spend on the private or public cloud compute resources that typically house enterprise applications. Another 33% of respondents said Kubernetes delivered lower public cloud costs.
Enhance Resource Utilization in a Containerized Environment
Virtual machines are a common way of provisioning software—but the reliance on multiple components consumes extensive system resources. For instance, each machine includes a guest operating system, copy of the software it provisions and a hypervisor allocating computing resources across a magnitude of operating systems and applications, which can have significant impacts on time efficiency and user engagement.
A containerized software environment however eliminates the number of compute resources that are integral to the running of multiple guest operating systems. From the management of how applications utilize server resources to faster start up times, containerized applications create efficient operations and can even help commercial construction contractions reduce administrative overheads.
Embrace Flexibility to Keep Pace With Ever-Changing Demand and Deployment Preferences
The adaptable and fast-paced nature of Kubernetes software means new features and functionalities can be quickly deployed for construction users. The ability to preempt and quickly adapt to business and consumer needs with efficient deployment cycles also allows businesses to over-take competitors or course correct faster than they can.
The ever-changing and rapid adoption of new technology indicates the value of Kubernetes’ adaptability to scale and adapt. The advances in technology are now becoming evident in the construction sector, through artificial intelligence, augmented/virtual reality and “Internet of Things” to name a few.
IFS conducted a study gauging cloud migration progress from 600 business decision makers. The results only confirmed the shift to enterprise software provisioning from on-premises solutions with cloud enterprise software provisioning doubling and on-premise solutions halving.
The beauty of Kubernetes-enabled software is that is has many varying environments when it comes to containerization such as self-hosting by a business, software on a vendor’s cloud or in a hybrid environment, which spans some self-hosting and vendor-hosted cloud services. This enables different parts of applications to run on separate servers, all dependent on what makes sense to the user.
Don’t Compromise on Security
The benefits of the rapid change and digital transformation appear impressive with Kubernetes; however, any new software implementation will raise questions on the impact it may have on cyber security. Questions arise regarding authorization for software, which users can interact with data etc. Using container orchestration Kubernetes software can ensure security policies and rules are applied and enforced early in the software development process.
Enterprise applications will deliver the software services in the form of Docker containers, orchestrated by Kubernetes. This will provide the scaling benefits of having regional Kubernetes clusters serve multiple customers, and the software vendor will ensure the application retains full separation and privacy of customers’ solutions through use of customer-specific Kubernetes namespaces, network separation, encryption, and database instances. Enterprise software vendors not intent on selling their own proprietary technology can make use of packaged Kubernetes environments such as Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service in their technology stack.
Kubernetes for Now and the Future
As more construction organizations look to the cloud for enterprise applications, more will benefit from the scaling and security qualities brought by Kubernetes. Kubernetes enterprise software is allowing businesses to adapt and grow while remaining secure. The power of Kubernetes to future-proof business infrastructure should be recognized by all construction organizations if they are searching for secure, flexible and scalable features to keep up with the evolving nature of industry changes and opportunities.
