Transforming Deployment Processes with Cloud-Native Technology
Siemens and valantic revolutionize software deployment with AWS cloud-native framework
Siemens partnered with valantic to build a cloud-native deployment framework on AWS, enhancing software delivery with automated testing, security scanning, and containerized deployments.
The challenge
Siemens needed a modern, scalable, and secure cloud-native deployment framework to support rapid software development and seamless integration across its technology landscape, starting from scratch with no existing process.
Consulting approach
valantic collaborated with Siemens to implement a GitOps-based CI/CD pipeline on AWS, integrating automated testing, security scanning, and containerized deployments to ensure reliability and efficiency.
Customer benefits and solution
The solution enabled Siemens to achieve faster software releases, enhanced security, and reduced manual effort, while fostering continuous innovation through a structured and automated deployment process.
About Siemens AG
Siemens AG is a global technology powerhouse headquartered in Munich, Germany, with a rich history of innovation spanning over 170 years. As one of the world’s largest industrial conglomerates, Siemens operates in the fields of electrification, automation, and digitalization, serving a wide range of industries including manufacturing, infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare. The company’s mission is to empower societies and businesses through cutting-edge technology, fostering sustainable growth and improving the quality of life for people around the world. Siemens is organized into several core business segments, including Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, Mobility, and Siemens Healthineers.
Copyright: Siemens AG
With a strong commitment to research and development, Siemens invests heavily in innovation to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. The company’s global network of R&D centers and partnerships with leading universities and research institutions enables it to develop groundbreaking technologies and solutions. Siemens also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2030 and supporting its customers in their sustainability goals.
Siemens has a global presence, with operations in more than 200 countries and territories, and employs over 300,000 people worldwide. The company’s diverse and talented workforce is dedicated to driving progress and creating value for customers and society. Through its innovative solutions, commitment to sustainability, and focus on customer success, Siemens continues to shape the future of industries and improve the lives of people around the world.
The challenge
Siemens, a global leader in technology and innovation, faced a significant challenge in modernizing its software deployment processes to meet the demands of rapid digital transformation. As part of a greenfield initiative, Siemens needed to build a cloud-native deployment framework from scratch to support seamless integration across its diverse technology landscape, including manufacturing, infrastructure, and healthcare. The absence of an existing deployment process meant that Siemens had to start entirely from the ground up, ensuring high reliability, security, and efficiency while enabling faster software delivery.
Complex Deployment Process
Managing deployments across multiple environments (development, quality assurance, and production) required a structured and automated approach to minimize manual errors and ensure consistency.
Security Concerns
With the shift to automated pipelines and containerized applications, Siemens needed to carefully manage security risks to protect sensitive data and maintain compliance.
Long Release Cycles
Manual testing and approvals significantly slowed down the deployment process, leading to delays and inefficiencies.
3
deployment environments (development, QA, production)
Up to 4
Weeks per release cycle
5
reported vulnerabilities in the previous year due to manual processes
Consulting approach
valantic adopted a structured and collaborative consulting approach to address Siemens’ challenges and deliver a tailored solution. The approach included the following key steps:
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1
Assessment and planning
- Conducted a thorough assessment of Siemens’ existing infrastructure, processes, and requirements
- Defined clear project goals, scope, and success criteria in collaboration with Siemens stakeholders
- Developed a detailed project plan, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation
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2
Solution design
- Designed a cloud-native deployment framework based on GitOps principles, leveraging AWS services
- Selected and integrated best-in-class tools for automated testing, security scanning, and containerized deployments
- Ensured the solution aligned with Siemens’ security, compliance, and scalability requirements
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3
Implementation
- Set up the CI/CD environment using GitLab for code management, automated testing, and security checks
- Implemented GitLab Runners for code analysis, security scanning (with SonarQube and WIZ), and container image creation
- Configured Argo CD and Kargo for managing updates across development, testing, and production environments on Amazon EKS
- Established strict access controls and security measures to protect sensitive data and maintain compliance
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4
Testing and validation
- Conducted rigorous testing of the deployment framework to ensure reliability, security, and performance
- Validated the solution against defined success criteria and made necessary adjustments
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5
Training and knowledge transfer
- Provided comprehensive training to Siemens’ teams on the new deployment framework, tools, and processes
- Facilitated knowledge transfer sessions to ensure Siemens’ teams could independently manage and optimize the solution
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6
Continuous improvement
- Established a feedback loop to continuously monitor and improve the deployment framework.
- Provided ongoing support and optimization to ensure the solution remained aligned with Siemens’ evolving needs.
Solution approach
To address these challenges, Siemens partnered with valantic to implement a modern, scalable, and secure cloud-native deployment framework on AWS. The solution involved building an automated deployment system using GitOps principles, integrating advanced tools for automated testing, security scanning, and containerized deployments.
The primary goal was to establish a forward-looking software delivery framework that fosters continuous innovation, enhances security, and accelerates software releases while minimizing manual intervention.
The project lasted 12 months and involved a team of 15 experts from both companies, consisting of cloud architects, DevOps engineers and security specialists.
Technologies used
- CI/CD Environment: GitLab for code management, automated testing, and security checks.
- Containerization: GitLab Container Registry for storing container images.
- Security Scanning: SonarQube for code analysis and WIZ for vulnerability scanning.
- Deployment Management: Argo CD and Kargo for managing updates across development, testing, and production environments on Amazon EKS.
Benefits for the customer
Faster software releases
Reduced release cycles by 50%, from 4 weeks to 2 weeks.
Enhanced security
Implemented vulnerability scanning with WIZ, reducing security incidents by 80%.
reduced manual effort
Automated deployments decreased manual intervention by 70%, allowing teams to focus on innovation.
Improved efficiency
Structured and consistent deployment processes across all environments.
Your Contact
Dr. Robert Klimke
Director Advanced Cloud Solutions
valantic