Application-release automation
Application-release automation (ARA) refers to the process of packaging and deploying an application or update of an application from development, across various environments, and ultimately to production.[1] ARA solutions must combine the capabilities of deployment automation, environment management and modeling, and release coordination.[2]
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Relationship with DevOps
ARA tools help cultivate DevOps best practices by providing a combination of automation, environment modeling and workflow-management capabilities. These practices help teams deliver software rapidly, reliably and responsibly. ARA tools achieve a key DevOps goal of implementing continuous delivery with a large quantity of releases quickly. [3]
Relationship with deployment
ARA is more than just software-deployment automation – it deploys applications using structured release-automation techniques that allow for an increase in visibility for the whole team.[4] It combines workload automation and release-management tools as they relate to release packages, as well as movement through different environments within the DevOps pipeline.[5] ARA tools help regulate deployments, how environments are created and deployed, and how and when releases are deployed.[6]
ARA Solutions
All ARA solutions must include capabilities in automation, environment modeling, and release coordination. Additionally, the solution must provide this functionality without reliance on other tools. [7]
Solution | Released by |
---|---|
BuildMaster | Inedo |
CA Release Automation and Automic | CA Technologies |
DeployHub | OpenMake Software |
Deployment Automation (formerly Serena Deployment Automation) | Micro Focus |
CloudBees Release Automation (formerly Electric Flow) | CloudBees |
Hybrid Cloud Management (Ultimate Edition) | Micro Focus |
IBM UrbanCode Deploy | IBM |
Puppet Enterprise | Puppet |
Release Lifecycle Management | BMC Software |
Visual Studio Release Management | Microsoft |
XL Deploy & XL Release | XebiaLabs |
References
- "Gartner IT Glossary – Application Release Automation (ARA)". Gartner. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- Application Release Automation Market Forecast (Report). Forrester. 2015.
- Garner Market Trends: DevOps – Not a Market, but Tool-Centric Philosophy That supports a Continuous Delivery Value Chain (Report). Gartner. 18 February 2015.
- Humble, Jez; Farley, David (2011). Continuous Delivery: reliable software releases through build, test, and deployment automation. Pearson Education Inc. p. 255-257. ISBN 978-0-321-60191-9.
- Market Overview: Application Release Automation Tools (Report). Forrester. 2015.
- Market Guide for Application Release Automation Solutions (Report). Gartner. 20 July 2015.
- Fletcher, Colin (1 August 2016). Critical Capabilities for Application Release Automation Solutions (Report). Gartner.