Cloud Product Deployment Solutions - Harnessing the Power of DevOps

NGAGE for SharePoint Online is a robust cloud analytics tool that is highly useful for legal professionals valuing systematic document preservation. Hosted securely in Azure, it not only supports SharePoint intranets, but also prioritizes data analysis, leveraging Azure's Platform as a Service (PaaS) features for complete data management.

As a technology partner of NGAGE, SoHo provides comprehensive technical support for client management and deployment assistance. Up to this time, a project like this was carried out using PowerShell.

However, in response to a customer's request, NGAGE and SoHo recognized the need to transition to a DevOps deployment model.

NGAGE’s customer was already using DevOps for all other cloud solution deployments in their organization and was inclined toward that deployment model to minimize manual work and enhance efficiency.

This led to a revamp of the product to align with DevOps practices, enhancing the deployment process and overall efficiency.

• DevOps implementation in NGAGE project

DevOps was instrumental in the NGAGE project, streamlining product deployments and updates. It was expected to enhance overall project management by automating processes and ensuring efficient collaboration between development and operations teams for seamless integration and continuous improvement.

• Streamlined product deployments and updates

The NGAGE clients faced a challenge in achieving a seamless and secure deployment process, with minimal interactions with the Azure Portal. Additionally, there was a strong desire for hassle-free future updates.

• Project management and deployment

DevOps was crucial for seamless project management and automation, ensuring efficient coordination between development and operations teams throughout the entire project lifecycle.

To address these challenges, the implementation of a DevOps pipeline became imperative.

As NGAGE’s technology partner, SoHo analyzed the required changes in the product to make it compatible with the DevOps environment. To address the challenge of transitioning from PowerShell to DevOps, SoHo implemented a comprehensive solution and revamped the product's deployment processes.

SoHo provided two methods for deployment and update:

1. Import DevOps pipeline with NGAGE Git clone: The client can import the DevOps pipeline by cloning the NGAGE Git repository or configuration and execution of the pipeline can be carried out within the client's DevOps environment.
2. Run the pipeline in the NGAGE DevOps environment using application registration connection services:

An application registration in the Azure active directory with owner-level permissions within the client's NGAGE Azure resource group is established. 

The Azure pipeline, executing Azure PowerShell scripts to provision NGAGE Azure resources without any permission issues, is developed.

Auto deployment is configured with main and stage branches, triggering the Update/Deployment package pipeline upon code check-ins.

Project management tools like Boards are employed for managing backlogs, sprints, and delivery plans, enhancing collaboration and organization within the development process.

In all, SoHo has provided four pipelines, making it an easy deployment process for every client of NGAGE who wants to harness the power of DevOps.

Four essential components the pipeline is structured into are:

1. NGAGE Azure background component deployment: Involves provisioning SQL, service plan, storage account, and other necessary components for running subsequent pipelines.
2. NGAGE apps deployment: Creates Azure app resources such as web apps and Azure functions with managed identity enabled aligning with NGAGE's zero-trust principle.
3. Update/Deployment package: Deploys codes to functions and web apps, facilitating both initial deployment and subsequent updates.
4. NGAGE delete resource: Decommissions the NGAGE cloud solution by deleting all associated Azure components.

The transition from PowerShell to DevOps not only aligned with DevOps practices but significantly improved deployment efficiency, fostering a more collaborative and automated approach.

Cost-saving: As DevOps eliminates the manual processes, automating them flawlessly, the customers of NGAGE now find this solution cost-effective.

Continuous integration and updates: Tools like GitHub and BitBucket streamline the integration of changes from various developers into a unified version of the code, automating the process. This ensures thorough testing and prompt deployment of all changes.

Speed, security, and scalability are the main benefits the DevOps deployment model offers to the clients of NGAGE.