Container technology is reshaping business efficiency and agility, with many organisations turning to managed service providers to navigate its complexities and enhance security.
The rise of container technology is reshaping business automation as organisations increasingly seek efficiency and agility in their operations. According to Terry Storrar, Managing Director at Leaseweb UK, the adoption of containers as a robust alternative to traditional virtualisation technologies has markedly increased, with 59% of organisations utilising containers across most or all of their production applications and business segments by 2023. The growth has been significantly aided by transformative technologies like Docker and Kubernetes, which are central to modern technology practices such as DevOps and microservices architectures.
Containers offer a unique approach by packaging applications along with their dependencies into self-contained units that can run consistently across various environments. This capability not only enhances cost-effectiveness but also improves performance and consistency in application delivery. However, Storrar notes that despite the evident benefits, organisations must equip themselves with the necessary in-house skills and tools for effective container architecture. The complexity of these systems can lead to significant challenges, including lengthy implementation cycles and an increased possibility of errors.
Management of container technologies can quickly become intricate, particularly for businesses that deploy hundreds or thousands of containers. The demand for adept management solutions has consequently risen, especially with the increased reliance on Kubernetes for orchestration. Without the requisite expertise and resources, organisations may find themselves expending more resources than anticipated on their container projects, countering the potential efficiency gains.
Security is another pressing issue, as highlighted by 2024 research, which reveals that two-thirds of organisations have delayed Kubernetes deployment due to security concerns. Alarmingly, nearly half of the organisations surveyed reported losing revenue or customers as a direct result of security incidents involving containers or Kubernetes.
To navigate these challenges and optimise their container deployment strategies, many organisations are now engaging specialist service providers that offer cloud-based orchestration services. The adoption of a managed service provider (MSP) model allows businesses to outsource the complexities of implementation and management, enabling them to concentrate on deriving value from their applications. This approach provides developers with the flexibility to create multiple clusters within a single data centre, facilitating straightforward application separation for testing or production.
MSPs are also equipped to deliver the high reliability and performance levels that are essential for modern containerised applications. Effective managed services typically incorporate system monitoring and cluster health checks to identify potential issues early, followed by continuous optimisation of workloads in response to evolving demands. Moreover, many applications necessitate consistent cloud storage, a requirement that MSPs proficiently manage, ensuring data integrity, reliability, and scalability.
In terms of security, MSPs often deploy multi-layered strategies that encompass advanced threat protection, automated monitoring, and adherence to global standards like ISO 27001. This security infrastructure might also involve encryption, disaster recovery planning, and continual audits to maintain the ongoing integrity of containerised applications.
Version management is another area where significant challenges arise, especially for technically versed teams dealing with complex systems like Kubernetes. MSPs play a crucial role in managing update processes, ensuring that dependencies are handled adequately to prevent downtime and disruption from poorly executed updates.
By leveraging the capabilities of Kubernetes, organisations can manage containers at scale while facilitating seamless application transfers between various cloud providers and on-premise setups. This flexibility paves the way for adopting hybrid or multi-cloud strategies, allowing IT teams to respond dynamically to changing workload requirements without falling victim to vendor lock-in.
Overall, the strategic implementation of container technology, supported by expert managed service models, places organisations in a favourable position to harness the full potential of their container deployments. This shift ultimately allows IT personnel to redirect their focus toward application development and deployment rather than the underlying infrastructure, thereby enhancing business operations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1484780/usage-of-containers-in-firms-worldwide/ – Corroborates the adoption of containers by 59% of organisations across most or all of their production applications and business segments by 2023.
- https://edgedelta.com/company/blog/kubernetes-adoption-statistics – Supports the growth and adoption of Kubernetes, highlighting its central role in modern technology practices such as DevOps and microservices architectures.
- https://edgedelta.com/company/blog/kubernetes-adoption-statistics – Details the complexity and challenges of managing container technologies, especially with the increased reliance on Kubernetes for orchestration.
- https://redis.io/blog/kubernetes-adoption-inception-to-cloud/ – Provides evidence of the significant increase in container production usage and the mainstream adoption of Kubernetes.
- https://edgedelta.com/company/blog/kubernetes-adoption-statistics – Highlights security concerns as a reason for delayed Kubernetes deployment and the impact of security incidents on organisations.
- https://edgedelta.com/company/blog/kubernetes-adoption-statistics – Explains the role of managed service providers (MSPs) in outsourcing the complexities of container implementation and management.
- https://edgedelta.com/company/blog/kubernetes-adoption-statistics – Describes how MSPs deliver high reliability and performance levels, including system monitoring and cluster health checks.
- https://edgedelta.com/company/blog/kubernetes-adoption-statistics – Details the multi-layered security strategies deployed by MSPs, including advanced threat protection and adherence to global standards.
- https://redis.io/blog/kubernetes-adoption-inception-to-cloud/ – Highlights the importance of version management and the role of MSPs in managing update processes for complex systems like Kubernetes.
- https://edgedelta.com/company/blog/kubernetes-adoption-statistics – Explains how Kubernetes facilitates seamless application transfers between various cloud providers and on-premise setups, enabling hybrid or multi-cloud strategies.