Cloud architecture has an impact on the organization’s ability to scale, and yet only 31% of federal agencies have taken steps to ensure their cloud platforms are architected for integration and flexibility, according to a recent MeriTalk report.

The right approach and technology partner ensure that government agencies can build highly available applications using modern DevOps practices and more flexibly move applications to the cloud. That means taking advantage of cloud-scale solutions like Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and an open-source serverless architecture. 

Using Infrastructure as Code

When it comes to cloud architecture, Infrastructure as Code (IaC) has a significant role to play. As its name suggests, IaC uses code to configure the infrastructure – hence, making it easier to copy, edit, and distribute it across applications and services. 

For example, AWS offers CloudFormation services that use templates that are easy to understand and edit. You define the infrastructure resources you want to use, then the solution spins up a cloud stack. 

This sort of functionality is critical for cloud computing. IaC removes the manual, error-prone process of developing and running scripts to set up infrastructure. Administrators can rapidly provision applications and maintain consistency in how they’re run by using the same configuration code – reducing misconfiguration risks and saving vast amounts of time. 

IaC also automates the provisioning of the necessary compute resources around app development, such as virtual machines, networks, and storage. It makes the development process more agile, enabling government agencies to achieve modern DevOps practices and to automate CI/CD pipelines. 

Looking to increase infrastructure performance and security while maximizing cost savings? Find out how by reading our Government's Guide to Achieving Cloud Scale.

Using Open-Source Serverless Architecture

A serverless architecture means using a cloud services provider’s infrastructure — like AWS, Google, and Microsoft Azure — to dynamically allocate compute resources and storage. Although CSPs have reliable and secure cloud environments, government agencies may be wary of vendor lock-in. 

That’s a big  reason to use an open-source serverless architecture, which allows you to spin up resources anywhere – in your own private cloud, on a virtual server in the public cloud, or in your data center. 

This infrastructure flexibility can make integration and standardization easier. For example, if your agency uses open source to develop apps, admins may be better able to control and monitor them on open-source architecture. In addition, developers would not be limited to using the programming languages used by specific CSPs. 

An open-source serverless architecture may require more development and coding expertise to customize the infrastructure to meet your mission objectives. This heightens the importance of and need for skilled developers. The right technology partner can help you fill any in-house skillset gaps. 

We Can Help

The infrastructure behind your cloud is critical toward meeting mission objectives. Simple Technology Solutions (STS) has extensive expertise in designing and developing the right architecture to help government agencies achieve seamless integration and flexibility. We are:

• An Advanced, Small Business Multi-Cloud Provider. Our advanced partnerships include Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and more. We are the only 8a HUBZone small business with AWS Government competency and implemented one of the first FedRAMP compliant GCP IaaS cloud hosting environments in the federal government. With self-service templates and other "cookbooks," our automated approach is proven to reduce migration, provisioning, and onboarding timelines and seamlessly transition teams and applications to all the major cloud service providers (CSPs). The STS team has more than 100 technical professional certifications across these CSPs. 
  

• Experienced. Our expertise includes a deep bench of engineers skilled in Agile, DevOps, CI/CD and Agile Lean processes. STS has successfully executed multiple enterprise legacy application migrations, with a library of proven cloud automation scripts brought into each engagement. We execute complex enterprise application migrations using infrastructure-as-code and fully automated continuous integration CI/CD pipelines. 
  
• HubZone Commitment. STS is a HUBZone company dedicated to using technology to create jobs in underserved communities. We are passionate believers - and living proof! - that technology can be a socioeconomic onramp for minority groups historically left behind the digital divide. We leverage the STS Apprenticeship Program, the first Apprenticeship Program certified by DC Government, to develop individuals in HUBZone communities with little to no IT skills into cloud engineers.   

Discover how we’ve helped government agencies use IaC and open-source serverless architecture to meet their goals. Read our Government IT Executive's Guide to Achieving Cloud Scale or schedule a meeting with us to see how we can help your organization.