<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=521127644762074&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Blog Log in
Book Strategy Call
Book Strategy Call

Is Kubernetes the Right Strategic Fit for Your Organization?

Book Strategy Call

Key Business Considerations Before Adopting Kuberentes

Kubernetes is a powerful tool for scaling, automating, and optimizing your infrastructure—but is it right for your business? This short guide walks you through the key strategic factors to consider before making the move.

infrastructure-gap

Kubernetes Business Case

If your business relies on rapid scaling or mission-critical applications, Kubernetes might be a strong fit.
Fairwinds_Website_Icon_Prioritized_v3
Do you need scalability and high availability?
cost-down
How much downtime can you afford?
FW_icons__lengthyPOC
Is infrastructure slowing innovation?

CapEx vs. OpEx Cost Considerations

While traditional IT comes with significant limitations, Kubernetes comes with hidden cost risks, including over-provisioning, underutilized resources, and variable cloud spend costs.
Quality of Service Controls Icon@2x
Traditional IT High upfront capital expensive, long procurement cycles, and inability to deploy innovations quickly.
Cloud Billing Integration Icon@2x
Kubernetes and Cloud Flexible, OpEx model—but requires Kubernetes cost optimization and the ability to track costs granularly.

Operational Complexity

Kubernetes is powerful but complex. Few organizations have the cloud-native maturity to maintain it optimally. Do you? Key aspects of Kubernetes infrastructure management include:
Enforce Secure Kubernetes Create and enforce security policies, track compliance, and monitor the environment.
Continuous Kubernetes Updates Continuously research and implement Kubernetes updates, APIs, and add-ons.
Optimize Kubernetes Costs Monitor and manage spending and resource allocation to prevent downtime and inefficiencies.

Build vs. Buy Kubernetes Decision

Building an in-house Kubernetes team requires hiring and retaining experts—a long-term investment that risks hiring challenges and knowledge silos if key team members leave. Before building a team in-house, ask yourself these important questions:

Fairwinds_Website_Icon_RBAC_v2
Who do you hire? How do you vet your candidates?
Fairwinds_Website_Icon_Consistent_v3
What happens if talent leaves—can you maintain infrastructure?
Fairwinds_Website_Icon_Team_Permission
How do teams handle the pager for infrastructure alerts?
Fairwinds_Website_Icon_Centralized_v3
How do you allocate time and resources to research Kubernetes, API, and add-on updates?

Buying Managed Kubernetes-as-a-Service

Before choosing a Managed Kubernetes-as-a-Service provider, ask them these important questions:

Fairwinds_Website_Icon_RBAC_v2

Compliant

Do they meet your industry's compliance needs (HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI DSS)?

Fairwinds_Website_Icon_Centralized_v1

Customized

Do they provide customized solutions or a one-size-fits-all approach?

Focus

Optimized

Do they optimize cloud costs and resource use?

managed-kubernetes-2

Agnostic

Which cloud providers do they support (AWS, Azure, GCP, on-prem, hybrid)?

Fairwinds_Website_Icon_Technical_Support_v2

Support

Do they offer 24/7, SLA-backed support?

Fairwinds_Website_Icon_Dedicated_Manager_v2

Management

Do they provide hands-on management or just setup?

Find the Right Managed Kubernetes Provider

Offload infrastructure management to experts so your team can focus on innovation.

Get the Checklist

The bottom line: if infrastructure is a key differentiator for your business, you may want to build an infrastructure team in-house. If not, outsourcing could help you focus on your core business.

Learn More about Fairwinds Kubernetes Managed Services

Book a Meeting