What is the difference between DevOps and platform engineering?

DevOps describes collaboration and practices for fast, reliable software delivery. Platform engineering turns those practices into an internal product with reusable paths, tools and guardrails that development teams can use autonomously.

Argo CD or Flux - what does WZ-IT recommend?

Both are established GitOps tools. Argo CD provides a strong UI and application model; Flux is modular and closely aligned with Kubernetes resources. The choice depends on team, repository structure and operating model.

Do we need to replace our existing CI/CD pipeline?

No. Often the existing CI continues to build, test and publish artifacts while GitOps handles deployment. We integrate existing systems and separate responsibilities cleanly.

Does WZ-IT build developer portals?

Self-service and portals can be added when user numbers and processes justify them. We start with clear APIs, templates and Git-based workflows so a portal is not built without a reliable foundation.

Who maintains the platform components?

Every component needs a defined owner, upgrade path, monitoring and documentation. WZ-IT can hand over the platform, operate it jointly with your team or take ongoing responsibility for the agreed platform scope.

Kubernetes platform engineering with GitOps and CI/CD

WZ-IT builds GitOps, CI/CD and platform capabilities that let teams ship applications reproducibly without bypassing security, governance and operability.

Configure Kubernetes operations See the platform path

Reviews

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Developer experience

Standardized interfaces between development and operations

Development teams need a defined path from code to production. Operations teams need standards, traceability and technical boundaries. Platform engineering connects both through declarative, reusable workflows.

Git as desired state
Application and platform configuration is versioned, reviewed and rolled out transparently.
Reusable building blocks
Templates, Helm charts, namespaces and policies reduce special cases and speed up new environments.
Autonomy within guardrails
Teams gain autonomy within defined resource, access and security rules.
Feedback from production
Deployment status, metrics, logs and alerts feed back into an understandable operating process.

Platform capabilities

What we build for your delivery platform

The stack is adapted to existing Git, CI and identity systems. Lifecycle, ownership, update path and recovery are defined for every platform component.

Building blocks

GitOps
Argo CD or Flux, repository structure, promotion, drift detection and traceable platform changes.
CI/CD & artifacts
GitLab CI/CD or existing pipelines, container registry, build caching, tests and approvals.
Environments & tenancy
Namespaces, projects, quotas, staging and production with appropriate isolation and ownership.
Templates & golden paths
Reusable Helm charts and deployment patterns for typical applications and platform services.
Policy & supply chain
RBAC, admission policies, image sources, secrets and validation as part of delivery.
Release visibility
Present status, events, metrics and logs so development and operations share the same view.

Operational requirements

In addition to the cluster, applications need defined processes for delivery, access, observability, recovery and technical ownership.

Delivery
GitOps, CI/CD, separate environments, approvals and reproducible rollbacks.
Network
CNI, network policies, ingress or gateway, DNS, TLS and private access.
Security
OIDC, RBAC, secrets, image validation, policies and traceable changes.
Observability
Metrics, logs, traces, alerting and SLOs for platform and applications.
Backup & restore
Cluster state, persistent data, restore tests and a documented recovery path.
Lifecycle
Updates, CVE assessment, capacity, costs and an agreed operating model.

Delivery flow

A reproducible path from commit to production

We design a traceable promotion and rollback process between environments.

Commit & review

Code, infrastructure and platform changes are versioned and reviewed.

Build & scan

Build, test, sign and scan images reproducibly.

Deploy & promote

Argo CD or Flux synchronize approved states into the environments.

Verify

Health, metrics, logs and business checks confirm the release.

Rollback & learn

Reverse failures with control and address causes in platform or application.

Starting pointOngoing operations

Scope

Standards first, then self-service

We start with a few reliable paths for the most common applications. Portals and advanced self-service follow only when standards, users and responsibilities genuinely justify them.

Configure Kubernetes operations Discuss platform engineering

Git-based workflows remain open, transparent and free of proprietary lock-in · Existing GitLab, GitHub or identity landscapes are integrated · Platform components receive owners, documentation and an upgrade path

For professional secrecy holders

Operate Kubernetes in the Section 203 Managed Cloud

If Kubernetes processes client, patient or other professional secrets, WZ-IT plans the application, infrastructure, access, backups and ongoing operations within a purpose-built operating model.

View the Section 203 Managed Cloud →

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers on architecture, delivery, responsibilities and ongoing operations.

Knowledge base

In-depth guides for this building block

Knowledge base

Migrate from Helm 3 to Helm 4

One platform. Six entry points.

Select infrastructure and operating model deliberately

Reviews & projects

Operations that visibly relieve customers

Customer feedback on monitoring, updates, maintenance, support and stable production systems.

WZ-IT moved our studio infrastructure from decentralised individual devices to a central platform: every site is securely connected via VPN, new devices are onboarded automatically and an entire site is provisioned from a template, without manual steps on location. What impressed me most is the breadth and depth of their knowledge: Timo and Robin are not a typical IT provider who sets up a server and leaves. The two of them think their way into highly complex infrastructure and software topics, work through every requirement we put in front of them, and build networking, provisioning and operations so that everything fits together in the end. WZ-IT is an excellent partner for complex software, network and architecture projects.

Steve KirchnerManaging Director, nextGYM GmbH

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International

Built in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Running worldwide.

WZ-IT designs, develops and operates infrastructure and software for clients in Germany and internationally. We deliver projects remotely and continue supporting them in ongoing operations after go-live.