Why Cloud Native Expertise Is so Hard to Hire for, and What to Do Instead
Cloud native technologies have gained massive momentum in recent years due to their ability to help organizations achieve faster and more efficient software delivery. As a result, the global cloud infrastructure market is projected to reach $150 billion by 2022. But here’s a truth that so many are, unfortunately, coming to realize as reality: Hiring and deploying cloud native experts isn’t as easy as it sounds. In fact, it’s one of the most challenging obstacles organizations face in their digital transformation efforts due to the highly specialized skill sets that are hard to find, expensive, and elusive.
According to a report by Cloud Foundry Foundation, 77% of surveyed companies claim that they now utilize some cloud native technologies, with the majority indicating that they have already deployed containers or plan to do so soon.
However, a report by DORA (DevOps Research and Assessment) found that many organizations still struggle to fully embrace cloud native technologies, with only 22% reporting high cloud native technology usage.
Why?
One reason for the lack of adoption may be the challenge of finding qualified talent for cloud-native roles. In a 2020 survey by Puppet, 63% of respondents reported that finding qualified cloud native professionals was a challenge for their organization. It goes without saying that highly specialized cloud native talent can command sky-high salaries, making it almost impossible for organizations to attract and retain the people they want to hire.
Even organizations that do have cloud native expertise in-house may struggle to make cloud native technology effective for their organization.
A report by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) found that only 40% of organizations using Kubernetes were running it in production, and of those, only 28% were using it for mission-critical workloads.
While we aren’t privy to the specifics behind why this is the case, we can take our best guess: Because they don’t have the right people, or bandwidth, or time to fully take advantage of all Kubernetes has to offer. And it’s understandable — Kubernetes requires an immense amount of knowledge, expertise, and updates to function properly, and it’s a complete time-suck for developers. They’d be better off letting someone else take it off their hands.
Fortunately, there are alternatives for organizations looking to develop their cloud native expertise. One of the most popular options is to work with a third-party provider that specializes in providing cloud native services — so you don’t have to. This is a core component of what entails “ZeroOps,” or rather, the notion of freeing your own employees to take their time back, and letting someone else do the time-consuming, bothersome stuff.
Working with a third-party provider can provide organizations with high levels of expertise and resources while allowing your team to focus on their core business — innovating, creating, and making a measurable impact.
This can result in significant cost savings and increased efficiency, as the provider takes on the responsibility of managing complex cloud native solutions. Many providers can offer comprehensive services, ranging from architecture to software engineering and deployment, and can tailor their services to an organization’s unique requirements — of which we know there are many.
Another benefit of working with a third-party provider is the ability to tap into their experience and proven track record. Many companies, when endeavoring into new cloud native territory, often want to go at it alone: DIY Kubernetes? No problem!
However, it’s rarely that smooth, and many eventually realize they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. The results most companies are after won’t come from a first stab at a DIY attempt — but rather from working with a team that knows what they are doing, and has been around the block before.
Providers that specialize in providing cloud native services have likely worked with many different organizations and have experience across a variety of cloud native technologies — and they will likely boast some sort of track record or proof points. This can help organizations avoid costly mistakes and ensure that their cloud native solutions are deployed quickly, effectively, and cost-efficiently — which is really the entire reason they wanted to be cloud native in the first place.
Working with a third-party provider for your cloud native initiatives can provide your organization with a wide range of benefits, including access to vast expertise and resources, cost savings, increased efficiency, and the ability to tap into the provider’s experience and track record. To select the right provider, evaluate their reputation, security measures, flexibility, and the range of services they offer. By working with experts, your team will gain exposure and experience, eventually developing their own cloud-native expertise and learning from the provider you select.
In the long run, partnering with a third-party provider can contribute to your organization’s growth and success by helping you adapt to new technologies and stay competitive in the market. Forget lengthy DIY initiatives that don’t yield much in the first place. If you’re going to do it, do it right the first time.
Remember, cloud native technologies hold immense potential for your organization, but finding the right talent to make it work can be challenging. Explore alternative solutions like working with a third-party provider to ensure your cloud native journey is a successful one.
