DevOps is one of the IT fields that is still being defined, yet it’s here to stay. At Scalefocus, the DevOps team consists of an enthusiastic bunch of professionals who love learning and like to have a laugh in the process.

Find out who they are how they do their magic in our article.

Introduce us to your team – how many specialists are there and what do you do?

Currently, Scalefocus has nearly 40 DevOps specialist, and the team is among the most rapidly growing teams in the company. Since DevOps is an agile methodology, the tools we use vary depending on the specifics of our projects. However, everything we do always supports the automation of software development. We help to develop, test, and deploy software quickly and to unify all processes – integration, testing, and release.

What technologies do you use?

We use innovative technologies and tools throughout the entire software development life cycle that are specifically aligned with our customers’ needs. Our main focus are cloud-based solutions in Azure, AWS and GCP. For microservices architectures, we use containerization and orchestration platforms, such as Kubernetes and OpenShift, Rancher, etc. To ensure the entire Continuous Delivery process, we use Azure DevOps Services, GitLab CI and GitHub Actions. When it comes to Infrastructure as Code and Configuration Management, we employ automations based on Terraform, Ansible, and Pulumi. It’s important for us to implement solutions that achieve optimal results by solving real problems.

What projects are you working on?

Our projects vary in complexity and scale. We work with big companies that are undisputed industry leaders, but also with innovative players who are paving their own way with a bold vision. At Scalefocus, we have the opportunity to choose which clients and projects to take on and we always make use of this opportunity. The reason is very simple – we want our work to be meaningful to our people, but also to add value in the communities where our clients operate. It may sound idealistic but it’s our reality and we make no compromises.

How do you work and how often do you go to the office?

At Scalefocus, we have the freedom to choose where to work from, and this is one of the biggest advantages for today’s professionals, not only in Bulgaria, but also on a global scale. At the very beginning of the pandemic, we adopted the Work from Everywhere model, which we maintained even after anti-Covid measures were loosened. To date, each colleague decides for themselves where to work from, and this in no way hinders the work process. The days we get together in the office are lovely because we catch up, have lunch together, enjoy each other’s company and work side by side.

How does a typical workday look like for people in your team?

This largely depends on the project each of us is focused on. Usually, we start with a daily meeting where we discuss our progress, the difficulties we face and our plan for the day. After that, everyone assumes their individual responsibilities, which vary depending on the scale and technological specificity of the projects, as well as on the role of the DevOps specialist.

What other teams and departments do you collaborate with most frequently?

We work with all other teams that are part of the SDLC because DevOps is a culture based on collaboration aiming to deliver a quality product to the customer.

Tell us about something your team is proud of.

We are proud of the great professionals who are part of our team and upgrade their skills and expertise with each successful project. Our culture encourages knowledge sharing which leads to opportunities for unlimited growth within the company. We love our work and share a passion for technology and innovation. This brings us closer together as professionals, and as people. Also, we value our differences and take them as something that gives us new perspectives.

What do you like doing together outside of work?

There is great appreciation of good food and quality drinks in our team, and we often enjoy them after the end of the workday or at one of our get-togethers. When you like your colleagues, it’s easy to have a good time. Whether we’re discussing existential topics or talking about everyday events, we really have fun.

What brings your team closer together?

In addition to being successful in our work, it’s also important for us to understand each other on a human level. If someone is having a rough day, for example, they can always talk to a colleague. DevOps is a people-oriented culture, that’s why the culture in the DevOps team is mainly focused on people and their needs so that they can feel good and be devoted to their work.

How do new people fit into your team?

We have developed an onboarding program to help newcomers adapt smoothly. This, combined with the good attitude that welcomes them, helps them quickly recognize the team as their own. We have outlined a very clear career path, which is not a formality, but the real trajectory of every DevOps specialist’s career in the company. Colleagues with less experience are mentored and encouraged to feel free to ask any question they have at any time.

How would you answer the question, “If you are…….…, come join our team”?

If you are proactive and have an open mind; if taking responsibility brings you pleasure and you know how to relax in your free time, you are welcome in our team!

 

Vasil joined the Scalefocus DevOps team right at the onset of the pandemic.

Despite the turbulent time when he began his new job, he quickly managed to fit in. He likes the diversity of projects he’s involved in because it makes for a dynamic work environment while the easy collaboration with his teammates brings him positive energy daily. He believes that “if someone can do something, so can I,” regardless of the different efforts people have to put in. It is this philosophy that motivates him to master new technologies and improve his skillset constantly.

According to him, the most important thing in DevOps is the way people think and knowing that learning is a constant process of discovery – today certain technologies are modern, tomorrow – others. Vasil knows that one can’t learn a certain number of them and then just go with the flow. In his free time, Vasko rides his bike in nature, spends time in the mountains, plays football and participates in quizzes, all the while keeping his mind in good shape with bridge and chess.

Ana seems to be able to do everything.

Multitalented and with a restless spirit, she describes herself as a creative person who avoided math her entire life. Until she discovered DevOps. Before entering this modern discipline, Ana explored her diverse interests. As a child she drew and created different designs, sang, did a lot of reading. At school, she studied law, and later—sociology. When she graduated from college, however, her love for computers took over.

She started doing hardware and software support, repaired mobile devices. Gradually, she became interested in front-end and backend, and soon after did a three-month DevOps internship that changed everything. Ana says that before she got involved with DevOps, she was never able to reach her full potential. In her spare time, she likes to watch horror movies and is the admin of a large online community of fellow horror fans. Ana collects character figurines from her favorite literary series The Lord of the Rings.

Dushko is one of the first members of the Scalefocus team in North Macedonia.

He believes that the company’s success and rapid growth are the result of its people-first culture. His path to DevOps wasn’t easy but was very interesting. When he finished his higher education, the country’s IT industry was yet to develop and lacked sufficient opportunities. In a moment of spontaneity, he decided to go where love would take him and went to work on a cruise ship together with his girlfriend. There, he immersed himself in a six- and sometimes seven-day work week for months on end—the pace was relentless, but he knew this way of life was only temporary. He had the chance to see places like Buenos Aires, Dubai, New York and to improve both his English and communication skills.

After nearly 5 years, Dushko returned to North Macedonia and started working in information technology. He says that since becoming a father, he doesn’t have much free time, which he used to spend playing his favorite video games – World Warcraft, StarCraft and Dota. He now mostly spends his time off with his daughters and their dolls.

Finally, how would you describe your team?

A team of great people who are top professionals solving a variety of problems every day without losing their sense of humor in the process.