Are Your Developers Wasting 60% of Their Time Managing AWS Cloud Infrastructure?

If you are a small business with limited software development resources, I suspect there’s an almost constant drive to get the most out of their limited time whilst being careful not to burn them out completely.

To increase productivity without elongating working hours, a great place to start is to consider how much time your developers spend on tasks other than writing code.

Assessing infrastructure management burden in your business

In particular, managing IT infrastructure is a job that most people have to do, and frankly, many do not like doing it.

The amount of time software developers spend managing cloud infrastructure can vary widely depending on factors like the complexity of the infrastructure, the level of automation in place, the size of the team, and the specific tasks involved.

In a small software business, you may only have a single developer or a small team of developers and no DevOps, infrastructure or platform engineers. In this scenario, it’s not uncommon for developers to spend a significant portion of their time on infrastructure-related tasks, especially in cloud environments where there’s a lack of automation or when the developers are responsible for both development and operations tasks (DevOps).

Studies and surveys have attempted to quantify this. An article on The New Stack suggests developers spend 20% to 60% of their time integrating and managing infrastructure – one to three days per week that could be dedicated to new features. Another survey by Digital Ocean found that developers spend an average of over seven hours per week on infrastructure-related tasks, with some spending up to ten hours or more.

However, it’s worth noting that these numbers can fluctuate greatly depending on the context. Some developers spend little time on infrastructure management if they work in environments with robust automation and dedicated operations teams. On the other hand, some developers might spend a significant portion of their time on these tasks if they work in smaller teams with fewer resources or are responsible for a wide range of functions beyond just development.

Outsourcing DevOps has proven beneficial for many organisations looking to streamline their operations:

Is outsourcing AWS DevOps management a strategic advantage?

Outsourcing DevOps has proven beneficial for many organisations looking to streamline their operations:

1. Tackling the talent gap

One of the most pressing issues companies face is the need for more skilled DevOps professionals. This problem is particularly acute for AWS DevOps roles, which require specific expertise in managing AWS infrastructure. Outsourcing affords businesses access to a pool of experienced professionals without the lengthy and costly recruitment processes associated with building an in-house team.

2. Cost savings

Outsourcing AWS DevOps can result in substantial cost reductions. The financial and operational burden of hiring, training, and retaining an in-house team is transferred to the outsourcing provider. Moreover, outsourcing eliminates the need for continuous education to keep up with frequent AWS updates, ensuring infrastructure is managed by always up-to-date experts.

3. Concentrating on your core business

Outsourcing AWS DevOps allows companies to free up their internal teams to focus on revenue-generating activities. This shift enhances productivity and innovation in primary business areas rather than getting sidetracked by the complexities of AWS infrastructure management.

4. Scalability and flexibility

Outsourcing provides the flexibility to scale operations according to demand. This is beneficial for businesses with fluctuating workloads or those undergoing rapid expansion. Outsourcing providers can quickly adjust their services, providing a level of agility that is difficult to match with an in-house team.

5. Access to expertise and latest technologies

AWS Partners bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, having worked in various customer environments of differing scales and industries. An AWS Partner can ensure your infrastructure is optimised and secure, adhering to the latest industry best practices and technologies. This expertise is challenging to maintain internally, particularly for smaller businesses.

6. Enhanced security and compliance

Managing AWS infrastructure requires strict adherence to security and compliance standards. Outsourcing providers are typically well-versed in these areas, with dedicated teams focusing on maintaining robust security protocols. This ensures your infrastructure is protected against potential threats and complies with industry regulations.

7. Reduced downtime and faster deployment outsourcing

AWS DevOps can reduce downtime and speed up application deployments. An AWS partner can integrate continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to automate and streamline the release process. This speeds up deployments and minimises the risk of errors, ensuring a more reliable operational flow.

In summary

Outsourcing AWS DevOps management offers numerous benefits, including cost savings, scalability, enhanced security, and quicker deployment. However, the key benefit is freeing up 20-60% of your developers’ time to focus on writing code, developing your products, and helping your business grow.

By leveraging the expertise of specialist providers, companies can optimise their AWS infrastructure and focus on their core activities. This approach addresses the talent shortage and ensures that your AWS cloud infrastructure is managed with the highest efficiency and security standards.