Q&A: DevOps Enterprise Summit Las Vegas 2018 with John Esser, Veracity Solutions

The 2018 DevOps Enterprise Summit Las Vegas (DOES18) is fast approaching! CloudBees is the proud Founding Partner of the event, and we’re looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting new ones October 22-24 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas . There’ll be several opportunities to meet us at our booth during Expo Hall hours, but we hope that you also enjoy learning from software delivery experts presenting in the CloudBees track . From modern architecture discussions, to experience reports from Fortune 500 companies, we’ve put together a variety of talks designed to provide attendees with actionable best practices to help their companies stay on the cutting edge of software delivery. Ahead of the show, we wanted to hear from CloudBees speakers and staff about how they are helping improve the lives of customers, what trends they are seeing take shape, and what they are most looking forward to at the show. In this edition, we interviewed speaker, and DevOps Enterprise Summit alum, John Esser , principal consultant for DevOps at Veracity Solutions . Here’s what we learned:

Q: What does Veracity Solutions do?

John Esser: Veracity Solutions helps organizations plan, build and launch successful software solutions from conception through adoption. Companies solve their stubborn and unique problems at the core by relying on our expert advice, coaching and staff. We help solve critical business goals and lift teams in the process.

Q: What do you do for Veracity Solutions?

JE: I am a Principal Consultant chiefly leading our DevOps practice.

Q: How does your company's products or services improve the lives of customers?

JE: Veracity Solutions focuses on helping businesses, so they in turn can help their customers. Our customers look to us for guidance and assistance on helping them to build the best products which meet the needs of their customers.

Q: Describe one roadblock you’ve faced on your journey to DevOps, as well as some advice on how others can avoid or more easily conquer it?

JE: I have encountered many roadblocks and difficulties during DevOps transformations that I’ve led. One of the biggest roadblocks or challenges is avoiding creating the infamous DevOps team! Initially, this simple construct seems to be a good idea, but over time turns out to be a huge issue and organizations are trying to find ways to get rid of it. This is the subject of my DOES18 presentation.

Q: Describe one DevOps goal you are working towards right now, and why?

JE: I am focused on developing a simple framework for helping organizations understand the best way to approach DevOps innovation and transformation. There are different approaches to accomplishing this, some are good, and some are definitely not. Leaders and organizations can select an approach and initially seems good, but then later has negative consequences.

Q: What trends or challenges do you see when managing next generation IT Ops and infrastructure?

JE: Definitely the move to cloud infrastructures is a huge trend right now. Cloud and DevOps go together like chocolate and peanut butter because in so many instances the existing infrastructure in use is not able to really support modern or next generation practices. Companies see the move to cloud as a way to shed those limitations and adopt an infrastructure that is on par with the web-scale unicorns.

Q: What are you most looking forward to at the DevOps Enterprise Summit Las Vegas?

JE: Meeting new people, talking with them, and maybe giving them a tidbit of info that can help them in their journey. I’m also looking forward to the great keynotes and breakout sessions that are always filled with great insights. Come meet John and the rest of the CloudBees track speakers at DOES18 Vegas! If you haven’t already – there’s still time to register . Don’t delay, because tickets are close to selling out! For more hands-on DevOps training, join us at one of our workshops before and/or after the conference. Experts like Gary Gruver and John Willis are featured hosts, as well as the DevOps Institute – learn more and register (psst…DOES18 attendees receive a discount!) If you’re interested to learn how CloudBees Flow can help eliminate your release anxiety, try it for free , or reach out for a demo .