Platform Engineering changes this by providing robust, self-service platforms that give developers freedom while safeguarding operations and security. Through free software and CNCF projects, companies can build scalable, secure and flexible solutions without locking themselves into proprietary technologies.
From DevOps to Platform Engineering
DevOps was long seen as the a to infrastructure challenges, but in practice it often led to developers taking on more operation responsibility. We still see developers spending time manually configuring Kubernetes manifests, time they should rather be spending on product development.
Platform Engineering is about building a layer between developers and infrastructure. A good platform offers self-service solutions for CI/CD, observability, security and scaling without developers having to understand all the technical details behind it.
The strength of the open source community
The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) is behind some of the most important projects in modern infrastructure. Kubernetes is at the core of this ecosystem, but tools such as Prometheus (monitoring), Argo CD (GitOps), Linkerd (service mesh) and OpenTelemetry (observability) also play important roles. Building on Open Source and a strong community gives companies access to the best solutions while avoiding vendor lock-in.
Create a robust infrastructure
Everyone should have a platform strategy. Poorly configured systems lead to instability, high operating costs and frustration among developers. We have seen how companies that invest in a solid platform have fewer production problems and more satisfied developers. A good platform takes into account how applications are scaled, how traffic is handled, and how to ensure high availability.
Platform over patchwork
Many companies still build solutions where developers have to figure out deployment, logging, monitoring, and security on their own. This often results in a patchwork of technologies that require a lot of maintenance. When the platform is properly set up, we see that developers have a much better working day, with faster rollouts, fewer errors and more time to focus on what really matters.
Security and geopolitical control
At a time when cybersecurity and digital sovereignty are more important than ever, platform choice plays a critical role. Open source software provides transparency and trust, while giving businesses and governments control over their own data and infrastructure. Where data is stored, how applications are secured, and which actors have access to critical infrastructure are no longer just technical questions, they are strategic decisions.
By using Open Source companies can reduce the risk of dependence on suppliers in unstable geopolitical situations. This gives greater predictability, security, and the ability to adapt solutions as needed.
The way forward: How to get started with Platform Engineering
- Build a developer-friendly platform: Give developers tools that remove complexity without limiting them.
- Automate everything: CI/CD, infrastructure as code, and GitOps should be standard.
- Use free software: CNCF projects and other open solutions provide flexibility and security.
- Think long term: A good platform requires continuous improvement and adaptation.
Platform Engineering is not just a trend, it is a prerequisite for succeeding with modern cloud architecture. Companies that prioritise platform as highly as development build more stable, scalable and secure solutions. At Redpill Linpro, we help you navigate the CNCF landscape and find the right solutions for your organisation.
It's time to put platform first.
