Low-Ops Platform Cloudogu EcoSystem
Tags: lowops, administration, devops
Published: 2023-06-14 10:14:59

Effectiveness with high efficiency is the key to success in our fast-paced and dynamic business world. Increasing digitalization requires quick responses to changing environments and requirements. To increase efficiency and the ability to respond while saving costs, it is important to optimize processes. Improving the integration of thematically related tools is one way to reduce administration and management work - which is becoming even more relevant in light of the current shortage of skilled workers.

In this blog post, we'll go into more detail about what makes the Cloudogu EcoSystem a low-ops platform and how it helps to support enterprises' digital transformation capabilities.

## What is low-ops?
[Low-Ops](https://cloudogu.com/en/glossary/low-ops/) is based on the phases of the [DevOps loop](https://cloudogu.com/en/glossary/devops/) and is a concept that aims for [little administration](https://cloudogu.com/en/blog/comparison-administation-effort) or operations, short "ops," by simplifying the deployment, operation, and monitoring of software tools through automation, standardization, and generalization.

SaaS solutions already remove the administration burden from users, but for many use cases, the use of SaaS tools is not desired, for example, due to issues such as dependence on the provider's service, data protection and data security. Operating on one's own ([on-premises](https://cloudogu.com/en/glossary/on-premises/)) or secure external infrastructures (private cloud) is common in these cases. This is exactly when the Cloudogu EcoSystem offers advantages by greatly simplifying the operation of a variety of tools on self-managed infrastructures.

## The Cloudogu EcoSystem as a low-ops platform
Cloudogu's [Cloudogu EcoSystem](https://cloudogu.com/en/glossary/cloudogu-ecosystem/) is the first [scalable ](https://cloudogu.com/en/glossary/scaling/)low-ops platform that enables diverse software tools from different vendors (packaged as [Dogus](https://cloudogu.com/en/glossary/dogu/)) to be administered in unison, minimizing management overhead. The Cloudogu EcoSystem is a virtual platform that combines all these approaches:

- **Automation:** It offers minimal administrative overhead, as it allows, for example, automatic data migration during upgrades. The Backup Dogu offers the possibility to automate a backup strategy, i.e. defined backup cycles according to a retention policy.

- **Standardization:** Uniform containerization of all tools on the platform further standardizes and simplifies administration and operation, because the tools can be administered and operated in bundles rather than individually.

- **Generalization:** The platform offers cross-tool services such as backup, user management, administration and restore for all tools operated on it. This enables, for example, cross-tool single sign-on or [backup and restore](https://cloudogu.com/en/blog/ecosystem-backup-and-restore-dogu). The holistic backup and restore solution enables simple administration.

The Cloudogu EcoSystem currently offers a selection of standard tools in the areas of project management, software development and wiki. Cloudogu regularly expands the toolstack of the Cloudogu EcoSystem and also responds to special customer requests. Each software tool (Dogu) of the toolchain runs in special containers. From the available tools, the appropriate Dogus for specific use cases can be selected as needed. The Dogus communicate with each other by means of plug-ins, and the interaction of the Dogus is continuously being expanded. Automated updates of the Dogus - including data migration if required - prevent manual interventions and reduce time spent. Thus, a multitude of tools can be administered in one step, even without special administration knowledge.

## Low-ops improves transformability
By reducing administration, the low-ops idea supports [transformability](https://cloudogu.com/en/glossary/transformability/), i.e. the ability to successfully manage changes in one's own environment. An important characteristic of transformability is adaptability.

> "The only constant in life is change" _Heraclitus_

This includes both the ability to adapt oneself to a dynamic environment and the ability to help shape the environment through proactive change. The Cloudogu EcoSystem gives companies the flexibility to use new tools or try them out first to take advantage of new helpful features. The processes of installing and operating Dogus are designed to be very simple and efficient. Companies also remain flexible in the type of operation (cloud; on-premises) and can tailor the environment to their own needs. This gives companies the opportunity for flexible adaptation to changes in the environment. This can promote continuous and iterative development.

## Conclusion
The Cloudogu EcoSystem is a low-ops platform that significantly reduces the administration effort of the tools operated on it. The toolchain of the Cloudogu EcoSystem links different Dogus while enabling their central administration. The Cloudogu EcoSystem has an easy deployment of complete working environments and offers many possibilities for projects in a dynamic environment that demands digital mutability.