Configuration. & Release Management. Challenges for Diversified Technology Platforms

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1 Vol. 11 MAVERIC S POINT OF VIEW Application Change, Abstract: This paper demonstrates how an organization can successfully adopt an integrated Application Change, Configuration & Release Management solution. Using this integrated solution, the organization automates development processes, increases quality levels, simplifies maintenance development and prevents integrity issues. Configuration & Release Management Challenges for Diversified Platforms

2 Introduction According to Gartner, more than 40% of all mission-critical IT service outages are due to people and process errors, with a significant number of those due to a lack of coordination between Application Change, Configuration & Release Management. Simple tools that were originally designed to fulfill relatively isolated project tasks like Application Change Configuration & Release Management are no longer adequate in complex enterprise environments. It also does not help the situation as there are very few tools which handle Application Change, Configuration & Release Management across multiple technology stacks. This paper examines the Application Change, Configuration & Release Management challenges faced by a typical bank and how to implement an Enterprise Change, Configuration & Release Management solution to address them. The Challenge A typical bank has applications built using different technologies. To support Application Change, Configuration & Release Management activities for these applications, the bank uses multiple toolsets. The lack of an integrated toolset for Application Change, Configuration & Release Management poses the following challenges for banks: 1. Package integrity issues 2. Lack of version control across application lifecycle 3. Lack of history and traceability for IT compliance 4. Unauthorized / insecure package deployment 5. Effort intensive and error prone manual package promotion The Solution A transition to Enterprise Change, Configuration & Release Management is the solution to address the challenges listed above. The Application Change, Configuration & Release Management environment has significantly evolved in the last 5 years and powerful solutions are now available. For IT teams, finding the best solution is a matter of evaluating needs and their current investments, adopting a process-focused strategy, assessing the ROI, and selecting a solution. The 7 steps approach to transition in to an Enterprise Change, Configuration & Release Management solution is explained with a sample case below: 1. evaluation This step evaluates and captures the technology stack, what they are now and what they might be in the near or distant future. An example of the technology stack in the bank is represented below: 2

3 used for development SAP ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming language) RPG.NET HRMS Application AS 400 Loan, AS 400 Deposit Loan origination, anti-attrition, mobile-blackberry, collection and recovery system 2. Study tool investments The second step identifies the existing tool investments by the bank for Application Change, Configuration & Release Management activities across the technology stack. A sample of tool investments made by the bank for Application Change, Configuration & Release Management activities are tabulated below: SAP ABAP.NET RPG Change Management SAP CTS Aldon LM i Source Code Configuration Management SAP CTS SVN Aldon LM i Other CIs Configuration Management Release Management SAP CTS Aldon LM i 3. Identify the available options This step studies the extensibility of the existing tools, for example, will it help the bank understand if the existing Configuration Management tool can be extended to serve as an integrated Change / Release Management tool or a new toolset is required to work across the technology stack. Another key consideration is the ability to seamlessly integrate with disparate tools used by various application development vendors of the bank. In the above sample, it was identified that Aldon has a product that works across RPG and.net. It was also able to seamlessly integrate with the vendors CM toolsets such as SVN and VSS. It was decided to leave SAP applications out of this toolset as the inbuilt SAP CTS system was best suited to handle Configuration / Release Management. 4. Proof of concept In this step, a proof of concept using the identified tool is conducted by the vendor for a set of sample applications across the specific technology stack. In the example given above, a proof of concept was conducted for.net (client server and web) applications using Aldon Lifecycle where the vendor demonstrated the tool features and limitations on the banks test environment. 5. Analyze the benefit In this step, the ROI is evaluated based on the results of the proof of concept conducted in step 4 and the bank can then proceed with the procurement or evaluate more options. In the example given above, the ROI of implementing was analysed and it was found to be superior compared to bringing another toolset. 3

4 6. Procurement The selected tool is procured in this step. was procured for usage in the bank as an integrated tool to support Application Change, Configuration & Release Management. 7. Organization wide roll out The Application Change, Configuration & Release Management procedures are reviewed and updated to reflect how the bank shall use the new toolset. Stakeholders across the application portfolio are trained to use the tool in accordance with the revised Application Change, Configuration & Release Management procedures. The tools are installed and configured in accordance with the revised procedures. All existing configuration items and pending change requests are migrated to the new toolset. In the sample above, was rolled out and the integrated toolset picture for the applications across the technology stack in the bank is represented in the table below: Change Management SAP ABAP.NET RPG Source Code Configuration Management SAP CTS Other CIs Configuration Management Release Management SAP CTS Conclusion Aldon LM i Aldon LM i Today s application lifecycle management must evolve to meet business demands. Simple version control tools that were originally designed to fulfill isolated software development tasks and projects are unable to meet the complex enterprise requirements. Transition to Enterprise Change, Configuration & Release Management using an enterprise grade solution offers the means for aligning IT process with overall business needs. References The Essential Guide to Better Release and Deployment Management Data Center Polling Survey for Server Provisioning and Configuration Author Ambareen Ahmed, Consultant - Process Assurance 4

5 MAVERIC SYSTEMS 2012 We re a leading provider of assurance services across the technology adoption lifecycle bringing tangible value to clients by singularly focusing on enhancing quality from requirements to release. Our Program Assurance, Process Assurance and Application Assurance services bring end-to-end assurance capabilities to client engagements. We take accountability for requirements definition, requirements validation, comprehensive functional & non-functional testing and quality process assessment, definition & improvement. We support clients through managed testing services as well as testing of packaged applications. We have supported a large number of clients (in banking, insurance and telecom verticals) over the last decade through their transformation programs involving implementation of core business systems, CRM systems, payment systems, billing systems and other sub-systems. We power technology-led business transformation programs for leading corporates through our definitive domain expertise, superior knowledge of industry-standard solutions, innovative testing productivity accelerators and relentless passion. Headquartered in Chennai, we have offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Dubai, Riyadh, London, New Jersey, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. We also have a dedicated global offshore delivery center and a Testing R&D lab in Chennai. Maveric Systems Limited (Corporate Office): Fagun Mansion, 74, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai Phone: Fax: Write to us at info@maveric-systems.com The contents of this document are entirely a Maveric perspective and is based on our experience and expertise in the industry. All rights reserved.