Phaxis

The Evolution of IT Professionals: From Sysadmins to DevOps Engineers

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The Changing Landscape of IT

 

In the past two decades, the tech industry has witnessed a monumental shift. A recent study revealed that 68% of companies had adopted some form of DevOps, a significant leap from mere sysadmin roles prevalent in the early 2000s. As the demands of technology-driven companies evolve, IT professionals adapt to meet these new challenges head-on.

 

Sysadmins: The Tech Custodians of Yesteryears

 

Sysadmins, or system administrators, once held the keys to the technological kingdom. Their roles revolved around installing, supporting, and maintaining servers or other computer systems. All in all, responding to issues, ensuring uptime, and patching software were their daily activities. Furthermore, they were the tech experts’ companies leaned on to keep their IT infrastructure running smoothly.

 

While these responsibilities remain vital, the evolving technological landscape needed a broader range of skills and a more integrated approach to software development and IT operations.

 

The Rise of DevOps: Bridging the Development-Operations Gap

 

Enter DevOps – the gateway of ‘Development’ and ‘Operations.’ Unlike sysadmins, who primarily focused on maintaining systems, DevOps engineers emerged as IT professionals who straddle the line between software development and IT operations. Basically, they not only maintain systems but also play a role in software deployment, quality testing, and continuous integration.

 

Moreover, DevOps engineers champion collaboration. They work closely with developers, testers, and other IT professionals to streamline and automate processes, ensuring quicker software releases without compromising on quality.

 

Why Companies Seek DevOps Engineers Today

 

The agility and efficiency offered by DevOps engineers have made them indispensable to modern tech-driven enterprises. Here are three compelling reasons companies now favor these tech experts:

 

  1. Faster Time-to-Market: With automated processes and closer collaboration between development and operations, companies release products faster, gaining a competitive edge.
  2. Improved Collaboration and Productivity: DevOps foster a culture of collaboration. Teams work in harmony, reducing silos and increasing overall productivity.
  3. Enhanced Quality and Reliability: With continuous integration and continuous delivery, DevOps engineers ensure that software remains in a deployable state, reducing errors and improving the reliability of releases.

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The Future: Beyond the Conventional DevOps Role

 

While the transition from sysadmins to DevOps engineers has been profound, the evolution doesn’t stop there. IT professionals continue to adapt, and we now see roles such as “DevSecOps,” where security integrates into the DevOps process.

 

The key takeaway? IT professionals never remain static. As a result, their roles and responsibilities evolve to meet the ever-changing demands of the tech landscape.

 

Staying Ahead in the IT Evolution

 

For tech companies seeking the edge, it becomes crucial to have the right talent on board. As a matter of fact, harnessing the prowess of skilled DevOps engineers and other IT professionals guarantees that businesses remain agile, productive, and ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a startup aiming to launch your maiden product or an established enterprise looking to scale, investing in the right tech experts defines your success in this rapidly changing tech world.

 

Seeking skilled tech specialists and DevOps engineers? Reach out to us today!

About Phaxis

Founded in 2002, Phaxis is now one of the country’s leading recruitment firms. Specializing in
healthcare, information technology, accounting, financial services recruitment, office support, legal, HR,
and marketing, Phaxis partners with highly qualified talent and top employers to create rewarding
career opportunities that result in long-term success for candidates and employers. Visit us at
www.phaxis.com.

 

Drew Anson

Chief Delivery Officer

Drew Anson is Chief Delivery Officer at Phaxis, a Workforce Solutions Company based in New York.

In this role, Drew leads the delivery and recruiting working closely with the leadership team to define a model that is efficient at supporting the firm’s current needs and is scalable for future growth.

Drew is a seasoned executive with more than 13 years of Services & Recruitment experience. In that time, he has supported numerous Fortune 100/500/1000 organizations across industries by providing global workforce solutions, namely resources and thought leadership for large-scale projects, implementations, and managed services.

Prior to joining Phaxis predecessor firm Park Hudson in 2021, Drew spent three years at engineering technology and talent solutions firm, Collabera, as Director of Sales in North Carolina. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly eight years at Insight Global, most recently as Sales Manager of the Columbus, OH office.

He holds a degree from Central Michigan University in Sales & Marketing.

Favorite Book:   Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
Favorite Team:   Michigan Wolverines
Inspirational Quote:  “There is no substitute for hard work.”  – Thomas A. Edison