Events General

Recap Swiss Python Summit 2024

22. Oct 2024

Swiss Python Summit 2024: A Stellar Event for Python Enthusiasts!

The Swiss Python Summit 2024, held in Rapperswil, was a phenomenal gathering of developers, enthusiasts, and tech leaders, all united by a shared passion for Python. This two-day event showcased the latest trends, tools, and developments in the Python ecosystem and brought together a vibrant community eager to learn, connect, and collaborate.

APPUiO by VSHN supported the Event as Gold Sponsor

As Gold Sponsors, we at VSHN were thrilled to be part of this remarkable event, supporting the growth and innovation within the Python developer community.

About Swiss Python Summit

The Swiss Python Summit is a conference about the programming language you love: Discover the wide field of Python applications, hear how others use the language, and meet fellow Pythonistas.

The conference is held in English and is suited for all skill levels, from early beginners to expert developers.

A unique conference about Python, fun, talks and chats!! 🐍

The summit took place on the OST campus in the beautiful town of Rapperswil. Find more information on the venue page.

Highlights of the Summit

The Swiss Python Summit 2024 was a celebration of all things Python, with a focus on sharing knowledge, exploring new ideas, and fostering connections within the developer community. This year’s event featured a variety of insightful talks, covering a broad spectrum of topics relevant to Python enthusiasts of all skill levels.

From discussions about Python’s growing influence in artificial intelligence and machine learning, to sessions exploring best practices in web development and automation, there was something for everyone. The summit also touched on crucial themes like security, scaling Python applications, and new advancements in data science.

The diversity of presentations reflected the versatility of Python as a language – whether you’re a data scientist, a web developer, or involved in DevOps, the summit had plenty of valuable content to offer.

As VSHN, we were proud to be Gold Sponsors of this fantastic event. The energy and enthusiasm from the community made it a truly inspiring experience, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support and engage with the Python community.

We look forward to continuing to be part of such events in the future, helping foster growth and innovation within the world of Python!

Why We Loved Being a Part of It

Being a Gold Sponsor of the Swiss Python Summit 2024 was a fantastic opportunity for VSHN to connect with the Python community, share our experiences, and learn from other talented developers. We had the pleasure of meeting innovative minds who are pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with Python in fields ranging from web development to data science.

It was inspiring to see how Python continues to evolve as a language, becoming even more integral to cloud solutions and DevOps – areas where VSHN specializes. The chance to exchange ideas and support this thriving ecosystem made us even more proud to be part of the summit.

APPUiO and Python

APPUiO’s namespace-as-a-service offering strikes a perfect balance between the simplicity of traditional hosting options and the complexity of managing a full Kubernetes cluster, making it ideal for Python users who need control and flexibility without the operational burden.

APPUiO offers significant value for Python applications, particularly those built with frameworks like Django, Flask, or TensorFlow, by providing scalability, customization, and the ability to handle complex workloads.

Python’s versatility, especially in web development, machine learning, and data science, makes it a great fit for APPUiO’s Kubernetes/OpenShift-based platform, which is optimized for managing high-complexity, high-variability workloads.

By focusing on Python’s key areas – like Django’s need for fault tolerance, Flask’s role in microservices, and the demands of AI frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch – APPUiO can offer advanced orchestration, dynamic scaling, and specialized support, positioning itself as the go-to platform for developers and organizations needing more than basic hosting.

Try APPUiO For Free

See for yourself and try APPUiO for free on http://appuio.ch/register with the code PYTHON2024.

Meet the Winners of our Star Wars Lego Prize Raffle 🎉

Jasper picked up the C-3PO Lego Set for his friend Ingo. Enjoy!😊

Jan won the Darth Vader Lego Set – have fun! 😊

Thank You!

A huge thanks to the organizers of the Swiss Python Summit for putting together such a well-organized and engaging event! The energy, enthusiasm, and high-quality content were second to none. We’re already looking forward to next year’s summit.

To all the Pythonistas we met, and to those we couldn’t, see you at the next event! Keep coding, keep innovating – and let’s continue building amazing things together.

Thank you again for having us! We hope you had as much fun as we did! Thanks for stopping by our booth and for being a part of Swiss Python Summit 2024.

If you love what we’re doing at VSHN, be sure to subscribe to our newsletters and follow us on social media.

We can’t wait to see you at future events such as the Cloud Native Computing Meetups on November 7 in Zurich or on November 28 in Luzern. Join us!

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
Events General

Swiss Cloud Native Day 2024 Recap – A Day to Remember!

24. Sep 2024

We want to wrap up an incredible day at Swiss Cloud Native Day 2024, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Held at the Gurten in Bern, the event brought together cloud enthusiasts, developers, and industry leaders to dive deep into the future of cloud native technologies.

VSHN supported SCND as Silver Sponsor – A Big Thank You to Our Booth Visitors!

First and foremost, a huge thank you to everyone who visited our booth! Whether you came by to learn more about our solutions, grabbed some swag, or simply stopped to chat, we truly appreciate your time and engagement. The conversations we had were insightful and energizing, and it’s always rewarding to connect with people who are as passionate about cloud native tech as we are. Your interest, questions, and feedback are what drive us to continue innovating and delivering the best solutions in the cloud space.

We hope you had as much fun as we did! It was truly inspiring to connect with so many passionate individuals in the cloud native community. Thanks for stopping by our booth and for being a part of SCND 2024. If you love what we’re doing at VSHN, be sure to subscribe to our newsletters and follow us on social media.

Introducing VSHN Application Marketplace

At the Swiss Cloud Native Day 2024, we introduced our new VSHN Application Marketplace. Learn more about it here.

Aarno was interviewed by Baruch at the Cloud Native Day

Aarno Aukia got interviewed by Baruch at the Cloud Native Day. Watch the video!

Applauding the Awesome Speakers

The speakers this year were nothing short of phenomenal! From inspiring keynotes to technical deep-dives, every session provided fresh perspectives and practical takeaways. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the amazing lineup of speakers, including Kelsey Hightower, who shared their expertise, showcased cutting-edge projects, and sparked thought-provoking discussions. Whether you were exploring Kubernetes, service meshes, security in cloud environments, or scaling microservices, the talks offered something valuable for everyone. Your contributions not only made the event informative but also incredibly inspiring.

A Special Thanks to the Organizers

We’d also like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the organizers of Cloud Native Day Switzerland 2024. It takes immense effort, vision, and dedication to pull off an event of this magnitude. From the seamless event management to curating such a dynamic agenda, the organizers made sure this was a memorable day for all attendees. Your hard work behind the scenes doesn’t go unnoticed, and we’re grateful to have been a part of such a well-executed event.

Thank you for joining us at Swiss Cloud Native Day 2024 in Bern!

VSHN helps you get through operations without chaos. 🙂

We’re always happy to hear from you!

Wrapping Up

Cloud Native Day Switzerland 2024 exceeded our expectations in every way. The exchange of ideas, the collaborative spirit, and the enthusiasm for innovation in cloud-native technologies were palpable throughout the day. We are already looking forward to next year’s event and continuing to contribute to this incredible community.

Once again, thank you to everyone who made this event a success—from visitors to our booth, to the speakers, to the event organizers. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cloud-native!

We can’t wait to see you at future events such as the Cloud Native Computing Meetups on November 7 in Zurich or on November 28 in Luzern. Join us!

Whether you need help with your next Cloud Native or Kubernetes project or just want to drop by our office for a coffee, get in touch.

Until next time, stay cloud-native! 🌩️

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General

Introducing VSHN Application Marketplace

17. Sep 2024

VSHN Application Marketplace: Your Gateway to Cloud-Native Services

VSHN has launched the Application Marketplace, bringing cloud-native services right to your fingertips. Whether you’re a software developer, cloud service provider, or enterprise IT, the marketplace allows you to easily integrate cloud services and offer them as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Through the platform, you can order cloud resources and services via Kubernetes and automate their management, so you can focus entirely on development while VSHN handles operations.

For Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), the marketplace provides a way to unlock new revenue streams and transition your products into a SaaS model. You’ll also expand your market reach and can collaborate with VSHN’s experts to efficiently operate your software.

Enterprises can benefit from lower operational costs, enhanced security, and faster time to market for their solutions. Seamless integration into your existing infrastructure and improved developer productivity ensure that your business stays competitive.

Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) can offer new value-added services to their customers and keep pace with rapid changes in the market. The VSHN Application Marketplace is the ideal bridge between infrastructure and service offerings.

Excited? Learn more here:

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General Tech

Now Available: DevOps in Switzerland Report 2024

12. Sep 2024

We are thrilled to announce the fifth edition of our „DevOps in Switzerland” report!

From January to April 2024 we conducted a study to learn how Swiss companies implement and apply DevOps principles.

We compiled the results into a PDF file, and just like in the previous edition, we provided a short summary of our findings in the first pages.

You can get the report here. Enjoy reading and we look forward to your feedback!

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
APPUiO General Press

VSHN Acquires APPUiO from Puzzle and Develops It Further as an Expert Hosting Solution

10. Jul 2024

Zurich/Bern, July 10, 2024

The History of APPUiO

In 2016, VSHN and Puzzle ITC jointly founded APPUiO. Marketed as APPUiO – Swiss Container Platform, the project appuio.ch has grown steadily over the years.

Puzzle and VSHN invested heavily in the brand, products, services, and joint marketing presence. Many success stories were written, and numerous satisfied clients, such as Adcubum, Die Post, and Mobiliar, were gained. We are very grateful for this success and thank everyone who shares our vision of the power of collaboration.

Change and Clarity for Customers

The APPUiO offering has significantly evolved over the years, sometimes leading to confusion.

Previously, APPUiO was divided into APPUiO Cloud and APPUiO Managed (both offered by VSHN) and APPUiO Self-Managed (offered by Puzzle). Both VSHN with their managed services business and Puzzle with their service business aim to further strengthen their areas of expertise and optimize their offerings in the future.

To provide clarity, VSHN has acquired the brand rights for APPUiO from Puzzle. In the future, the APPUiO brand will only encompass the existing APPUiO Cloud product.

What Does This Mean for You?

For you, nothing essential changes. All products and services remain unchanged, and your customer relationships with Puzzle or VSHN will stay the same.

Focusing on One Solution

In the future, APPUiO will exclusively be the APPUiO Cloud product, which will be renamed to APPUiO.

  • APPUiO (formerly APPUiO Cloud) is our Kubernetes Namespace-as-a-Service offering, based on Red Hat OpenShift, designed to be expert hosting for experienced software engineers. APPUiO provides instant access to a fully managed, ready-to-use Red Hat OpenShift cluster within minutes. Focus on your application instead of setting up or managing your cluster, and bring your ideas to production effortlessly. APPUiO offers the following features:
    • Ready to Use: Get your own OpenShift namespace within minutes.
    • Pay per Use: Only pay for the resources you use. See our price model.
    • Multi-Cloud: Available in various availability zones, such as Cloudscale and Exoscale.
    • Swissness: Available in Swiss data centers, also ISO27001 certified and operated according to FINMA regulations.
    • Security: Benefit from SELinux, Isovalent Enterprise for Cilium, two-factor authentication, Let’s Encrypt, and regular security updates.
  • APPUiO Managed will be renamed to VSHN Managed OpenShift. VSHN Managed OpenShift offers private, dedicated Kubernetes clusters on various clouds and on-premises. VSHN provides and maintains the OpenShift cluster throughout its lifecycle and ensures that VSHN-provided tools are available to platform users. VSHN Managed OpenShift clusters offer a production-ready Kubernetes environment for users’ applications.
  • APPUiO Self-Managed: Puzzle will continue to offer all previous self-managed services under the Puzzle brand. If you want to build your own container platform but lack the necessary know-how or capacity, Puzzle can help. Puzzle supports you in planning, building, and operating your container platform. Additionally, they train your developers on how to best use it.

Stronger Partnership and Future Plans

Puzzle and VSHN have agreed to use this initiative to optimize both companies’ product and service portfolios and to intensify their partnership. Puzzle will continue to offer APPUiO to its customers when software development experts need expert hosting.

This change allows both companies to better utilize their strengths and continue to be successful together in the future.

We will continue to drive initiatives together to show the world what is possible with Kubernetes and Cloud Native! One of our upcoming joint efforts will be the Cloud Native Computing Meetup on 22 August 2024, at the Puzzle & Isovalent offices in Zurich. We would be very happy to welcome you there. Come by!

If you have any questions or need more information, we look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

the APPUiO team

PS: have a look at our new APPUiO website.

Press contacts

VSHN AG
Markus Speth
Marketing, People & Strategy
markus.speth@vshn.ch
+41 44 545 53 00

In the press

Inside-IT: VSHN übernimmt Appuio von Puzzle ITC

Netzwoche: VSHN übernimmt Markenrechte für Appuio von Puzzle ITC

IT-Markt: VSHN übernimmt Markenrechte für Appuio von Puzzle ITC

ICTK: VSHN übernimmt von Puzzle ITC die Markenrechte an “APPUiO”

Computerworld: https://www.computerworld.ch/business/uebernahme/vshn-uebernimmt-appuio-puzzle-2932464.html

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General Press

VSHN is in the Top 10 Managed Cloud Platforms in the Swiss Digital Ranking

26. Jun 2024
Source: Netzmedien AG

The new Swiss Digital Ranking by Netzmedien

Innovation and ICT are essential for the Swiss economy. The digital sector is therefore very lively, as the comprehensive new Swiss Digital Ranking market study by Netzmedien shows.

In addition to large international companies, the Swiss IT sector consists mainly of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). According to Netzmedien, typical IT companies have around 50 employees and an annual turnover of CHF 13 million.

The rise of online services and IT-as-a-service has given rise to many local cloud providers and service providers that help companies move to and from cloud environments. Artificial intelligence and new data analysis techniques are expanding the role of IT in companies and giving rise to specialized providers. Successful business models are often the result of a regional or industry-specific focus. As IT is becoming increasingly important for Swiss companies, they can count on a diverse and innovative local IT sector.

The Swiss Digital Ranking by Netzmedien lists the top 400 IT providers alphabetically and provides a good overview.

VSHN takes 204th place in the overall ranking:

VSHN places directly in the Top 10 Managed Cloud Platform

In the Managed Cloud Platform segment ranking, VSHN was able to establish itself directly in the Top 10 with 8th place, which of course makes us very happy:

VSHN in den Top 25 der Outsourcing & Managed Services

VSHN was also able to establish itself in the Top 25 in the Outsourcing & Managed Services sector ranking with 24th place:

Swiss Digital Ranking 2024 by Netzmedien

The new “Swiss Digital Ranking” from Netzmedien provides an overview of the most important IT companies in the country. Once in the large overall ranking and in 13 sector rankings. The ICT landscape in the Principality of Liechtenstein is also depicted in the special. Also in the magazine: interviews with those responsible for digitalization in both countries, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter and Liechtenstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Risch. The designated Swico CEO Jon Fanzun talks about his plans for the association. A survey of the web media also shows which trends and challenges are shaping the Swiss digital industry.

Source: Netzmedien AG

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General New Work Press

A New Era at VSHN: Redefining Leadership in Self-Organization Without a Management Team

24. Jun 2024

Zurich, June 24, 2024

At VSHN, we are ushering in an exciting new chapter by moving beyond traditional top-level management. We are convinced that without a centralized management team, we can better serve our customers and improve our employees’ work environment. Instead of a traditional hierarchy, management responsibilities are seamlessly distributed among the roles and teams directly involved in daily operations and customer interactions. By dissolving the already largely unused “management team” structure, we are not just eliminating C-level titles or renaming roles; we are fundamentally fostering our self-organization. To fully understand this natural next step, it’s essential to understand VSHN’s roots, values and culture.

What Is Self-Organization – and Why Would You Want It?

Self-organization is an umbrella term for various practices, structures, and how individuals act and collaborate. It creates an environment within an organization where people and teams work semi-autonomously and make decisions in the organization’s interest without central or top-down authority. This makes the organization more flexible and adaptable, as things happen right where they should – at the front. In today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, this is a key quality for a company.

Self-organization primarily builds on people acting out of self-responsibility, supported by the practices and structures in place. Decision-making (both operational and governance) is distributed at the points where specific knowledge, direct experience, and often the “pain” of issues are, which usually results in more efficient and targeted problem-solving and execution and brings the “buy-in” of those who are affected by decisions. A highly valued practice is that decisions are not made by individuals in positions of power but through a process that seeks objections (arguments) rather than consensus, aiming to integrate what we learn from these objections to improve a proposal for solving a commonly understood problem. A common misconception is the attempt to please everyone and that everyone must have a say; however, this is usually neither in the organization’s interest nor efficient enough.

Roles and responsibilities within the organization are usually clearly defined, yet there are few to no fixed hierarchies, as seen in traditional organizational structures. The organization often resembles a network of teams and roles through which responsibilities and functions are clarified.

All this promotes the participation of all members and enhances engagement and a sense of co-responsibility. Continuous improvement based on regular feedback from stakeholders and peers is also a vital aspect of self-organization, with participants encouraged to question and adjust structures and processes as necessary. In addition to the resulting distributed, non-hierarchical responsibilities, distributed leadership is another key feature, where leadership is exercised situationally and based on specific expertise rather than through formal authority in “leadership positions” – those with the interest (the tension) to make something happen drive it forward. This is often described as “leadership in every chair.”

The number of companies that rely on self-organization is growing rapidly. We are in contact with many other organizations to share knowledge and learn from each other. Some of the following examples are heavily based on self-organized teams and roles and supporting practices:

How VSHN evolved historically and works now

VSHN has always functioned differently from traditional hierarchical organizations. Initially, with fewer than 20 people, decisions were made collaboratively at one physical, on-site table. As the company grew, complex challenges impacted structure, strategic direction, and bigger product decisions. Initially, as we didn’t know better, we handled them in the management team, a handful of people deciding – a traditional approach that soon showed its limits as VSHNeers felt disconnected from decision-making and, on some decisions, didn’t try to follow through.

We needed something that was flexible, not a rigid framework, and that also aligned with our identity, culture and values. VSHN’s company values emphasize positivity, effectiveness, integrity, curiosity, transparency, and accountability. They foster a high-trust environment where team members are encouraged to be optimistic, goal-oriented, honest, open to learning, and are driving things and acting out of self-responsibility. Our values aim to create a collaborative culture that supports personal growth and organizational success.

To address this, we began experimenting with patterns from Sociocracy 3.0 (S3) for decision-making and clarifying team responsibilities through explicit domain descriptions. This shift wasn’t a transition from hierarchy to self-organization; it was and still is more about cultivating our ways of working at a bigger scale and becoming more mature as a business organization.

Today, VSHN operates through self-organizing and self-governing value stream teams focused on creating and delivering the actual customer value, supported by teams and roles like People, Finance, Sales, Marketing, Customer Account Management, Customer Support, and Internal IT & Information Security. Until recently, we maintained a “General Manager” role, viewed as a safety net for overarching issues. However, this often led to a disconnect, as Markus and Marco, in that role, were too far from day-to-day operations, leading to unmet expectations and VSHNeers who felt unheard.

We realized that acting out of our “management hat” was more of a hindrance than a help. So we started to collaborate and not act out of management anymore. An extreme example came at the end of 2023, during a tight financial situation, while framed as a management effort, it was actually a collaborative effort involving many VSHNeers and the owners of VSHN to propose measures and make the tough, necessary decisions. This experience showed that the “management hat” was likely unnecessary and counterproductive. Still, for the management members themselves, the situation wasn’t easy, still being an escalation point for all sorts of challenges and being squeezed within “management decides too much” vs. “management decides too little” – even though we didn’t decide at all (arguments decided, we involved affected people). What contributed to that is the idea behind VSHN´s organization, that responsibility is distributed and no one should take the responsibility for others – this is also reflected in our current salary system and the new one we’re creating at the moment, no one gets more to “bear more responsibility”. We don’t believe in getting more money to “bear a burden” or “catch the blame.”

What is changing?

Although it may seem significant that we will no longer have General Managers or a “Management Team”, the impact on our day-to-day operations is likely minimal. There wasn’t even much surprise when we announced this change company-wide; VSHNeers understand that their daily responsibilities remain largely unchanged. For most, it feels like “just making explicit what is already reality.”

However, two major aspects are evolving. Firstly, the traditional safety net provided by management roles will be removed. The people in Finance, Strategy Execution, Organizational Development, Product/Marketing, and Customer Relations, who already share responsibilities, will need to navigate and drive complex situations and strategic decisions themselves. Since these teams are accustomed to collaborating and self-organizing, we are confident in their ability to manage these challenges – and it’s mostly the same people. Markus and Marco will be in many of these roles and keep acting out of our self-responsibility.

Legally, the responsibility shifts as well, but with likely minimal to no impact on the organization. The board of the privately owned company currently delegated management to “General Managers” within VSHN, this delegation will cease, placing overall legal responsibility back to the board. However, within the VSHN organization, the board has no direct relevance; the board’s role will be to observe and intervene, if necessary, if the organization fails in some aspects. Signing authorities within VSHN will remain unchanged, with several VSHNeers holding joint signing rights.

The real change lies in our personal mindset and behavior, starting with the former members of management and the owners. We must focus on supporting the VSHNeers and our collaboration while ensuring responsibility remains with those best positioned to handle them – if we own and solve issues for them, how can they own and learn how to drive things? By doing so, we further foster our culture of distributed responsibility and enable former management members to contribute effectively without the mantle of management.

Why should I care about this evolution?

The majority of the business world still works differently; that’s fine. How can you benefit from how VSHN works?

  • As a customer or partner of VSHN, you will benefit directly from our operational structure. Our engineers, sales, and account management teams can swiftly make significant decisions because the decision-making resides with those directly handling your projects, requests, or incidents. This means faster responses and solutions without the need for traditional hierarchical escalations. Even though our organizational structure intentionally lacks C-level titles, our processes ensure quick and effective decision-making.
  • As a (Potential) Employee: At VSHN, you are more than just part of the team; you are the organization. Everyone is treated as an equivalent contributor, focusing on collaborative problem-solving that benefits the organization and aligns with our goals. Our culture is purpose-driven and inclusive, placing decision-making power where the “pain” and most direct experience and understanding of the issues lie. Whether it’s about how much you work from home or in the office or project directions, you don’t need to seek approval from a higher authority; it’s about what makes sense for VSHN, figuring it out collectively.
  • Reflecting Our DevOps Philosophy: At VSHN, our approach mirrors the core principles of DevOps: “You build it, you run it.” This ethos extends beyond our technical operations to encompass our organizational structure. By shifting the power to influence decisions to those at the forefront – whether in development or operations – we eliminate the need for centralized authority. This structure ensures that those directly involved in the work have the autonomy to make decisions, fostering a proactive, responsive environment that mirrors the dynamic field of DevOps itself.

Final thoughts

At VSHN, we’ve embraced a path that deviates from traditional hierarchical models, a journey nearly a decade in the making. This approach isn’t just about keeping up with trends – it’s about creating an environment where flexibility and direct accountability enhance customer service and empower our team.

While we’re not alone in adopting self-organized practices – many large companies integrate similar strategies in some capacity – we believe our method suits our unique needs and culture. Challenges arise, as in any dynamic setting, but our practices allow us to address them agilely.

What about your organization? How are you adapting to the evolving demands of today’s business world? We’re eager to learn from others and share our experiences. Join us at upcoming meetups, or reach out for a chat. Let’s explore how we can all grow through innovative organizational approaches.

About VSHN

VSHN – The DevOps Company is Switzerland’s leading partner for DevOps, Container, and Kubernetes. VSHN (pronounced like “vision”) was founded to shake up the hosting market fundamentally. As a lean startup, we have focused on operating IT platforms through automation, agility, and a continuous improvement process. Completely location-independent and without our own hardware, we operate extensive applications according to the DevOps principle of agile and 24/7 on every infrastructure so that software developers can concentrate on their business and IT operations are relieved. Find out more on vshn.ch.

Press Contacts

VSHN AG
Neugasse 10
8005 Zürich
Schweiz
+41 44 545 53 00
info@vshn.ch

VSHN in the press

Inside-IT: VSHN schafft das Management ab

Netzwoche: VSHN schafft Hierarchien ab

Swiss IT Reseller: VSHN schafft Management ab

Computerworld: Neue Ära bei VSHN

com! professional: Neudefinition von Führung

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
Events General

Kubernetes Community Days (KCD) Zurich 2024 Recap

13. Jun 2024

It’s a wrap! The Kubernetes Community Days (KCD) in Zurich 2024 have come to a close.

The KCD Zurich brought together a diverse group of around 250 experts to experience the power of community. Participants gathered to learn, network, and share knowledge on various aspects of Cloud Native technologies.

KCD Zurich 2024

The event was packed with engaging and insightful talks about Kubernetes, once again showcasing the vibrancy and dedication of our community at the Google CH EURF HQ in Zurich.

Aarno Aukia, Founder and Partner at VSHN, also held a talk about the topic:

Empowering Developers: Building an Application Catalogue with Crossplane

The session was aimed to help discover how platform engineering innovations are revolutionizing internal developer platforms and to explore how Crossplane enables seamless application catalog construction, empowering teams to streamline development workflows and accelerate innovation.

VSHN AppCat

If you want to learn more about VSHN AppCat or see Crossplane in action and its impact on internal developer platforms and platform engineering, contacts us.

VSHN supported KCD Zurich as Gold Sponsor

As Gold Sponsors, VSHN, together with Red Hat and GitLab, and alongside Google Cloud and Isovalent, supported this remarkable event. We enjoyed fascinating discussions, reconnected with familiar faces, met many new ones, and felt immense pride in being part of such an outstanding community.

And of course, we also had a lot of fun along the way! 🙂

One of the highlights was our prize draw. Congratulations to Daniel on winning the Lego DeLorean – enjoy your prize! 🙂

A heartfelt thanks to the KCD Zurich organizers and all participants for making this day truly spectacular.

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

PS: Join our next CNC meetup on August 22, 2024 in Zurich at the Puzzle & Isovalent offices.

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
Events General

VSHN is Gold sponsor at Kubernetes Community Days Zurich on June 13 2024

6. Jun 2024

We are thrilled to announce that VSHN will be participating in the upcoming Kubernetes Community Days (KCD) in Zurich as Gold sponsor next week!

This is an event we have been eagerly looking forward to, and we are proud to be a sponsor of this significant gathering of the Swiss Kubernetes community.

With over 90 people on the waiting list and a remarkable 110 talk submissions for KCD Zürich, KCD Zürich Rejects was born as a pre-event which happened on June 5, 2024, to give more community members the opportunity to share their insights and connect. The top 6 speakers who didn’t make the cut for the main event were invited to talk at Rejects. VSHN also supported the KCD Rejects (and KuberTENes 10th Anniversary) as a Platinum Sponsor.

Now we can´t wait for the main KCD event to take place next week. Here’s why we are so excited and what you can expect from this fantastic event.

What is Kubernetes Community Days?

Kubernetes Community Days are community-organized events that gather Kubernetes enthusiasts, developers, and experts from around the globe. These events are designed to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and promote the growth and development of Kubernetes and its ecosystem. They feature a variety of sessions including keynotes, technical talks, workshops, and networking opportunities.

KCD Zurich is set to be a remarkable occasion, bringing together a diverse group of people who are passionate about Kubernetes. Attendees will have the chance to learn from industry leaders, contribute to discussions, and gain insights into the latest trends and best practices in Kubernetes development and operations.

Learn more on: Kubernetes Community Days Zürich

See you next week!

Why We Are Sponsoring KCD Zurich

As a company deeply invested in the Kubernetes ecosystem, we understand the importance of community and collaboration in driving innovation.

VSHN is for example also proud organizer of the Cloud Native Computing Switzerland Meetup with now more than 2´500 members. Join our next CNC meetup on August 22, 2024 in Zurich at the Puzzle & Isovalent offices.

Sponsoring KCD Zurich is our way of giving back to the community that has been instrumental in our journey. Here are a few reasons why we are so excited to be part of this event:

1. Supporting the Community

By sponsoring KCD Zurich, we are supporting the vibrant and dynamic Kubernetes community. We believe that events like these are crucial for the continuous improvement and adoption of Kubernetes, and we are proud to contribute to this effort.

2. Knowledge Sharing

KCD Zurich provides an excellent platform for sharing knowledge and experiences. We are excited to engage with other Kubernetes enthusiasts, learn from their experiences, and share our insights. This mutual exchange of ideas is invaluable for personal and professional growth.

3. Networking Opportunities

The event offers a unique opportunity to network with industry peers, thought leaders, and potential partners. We are looking forward to connecting with like-minded individuals and organizations, fostering relationships that can lead to future collaborations.

4. Staying Ahead of the Curve

Kubernetes is a rapidly evolving technology, and staying updated with the latest advancements is essential. By participating in KCD Zurich, we aim to stay ahead of the curve and ensure that our solutions remain cutting-edge and relevant.

What to Expect at KCD Zurich

KCD Zurich promises to be an action-packed event with a variety of sessions catering to different interests and expertise levels. Here are some highlights:

  • Keynote Speeches: Inspiring talks from industry leaders and Kubernetes experts.
  • Technical Sessions: Deep dives into specific topics, including new features, best practices, and real-world case studies.
  • Workshops: Hands-on sessions that provide practical experience with Kubernetes tools and techniques.
  • Networking Events: Opportunities to meet and connect with other attendees, share experiences, and build relationships.

We are incredibly excited to be part of Kubernetes Community Days Zurich and can’t wait to contribute to this amazing community.

Join Us!

We invite you to join us at KCD Zurich next week. Whether you are a seasoned Kubernetes professional or just starting your journey, there is something for everyone at this event. Visit our booth to learn more about VSHN´s solutions, meet our team, and discover how we can help you leverage the power of Kubernetes.

Stay tuned for more updates and follow VSHN on Social Media for live coverage from the event. We look forward to seeing you in Zurich!

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General

DevOps in Switzerland Survey 2024

3. Jan 2024

VSHN and Zühlke are thrilled to present together the DevOps in Switzerland Survey 2024!

Just like in previous years, we would like to know about the current state of DevOps in Switzerland. Our goal with this study is to investigate how you and your company understand DevOps and whether you already work according to DevOps principles. We would like to learn the current state of DevOps, the reasons for and against it, and where its development is headed. We will compare the results with the ones from previous years to draw conclusions and identify some key trends.

Survey

The survey is open until April 28th, 2024, and may be shared, forwarded, and retweeted with your peers. It will only take about 5 minutes of your time.

Take part in the DevOps in Switzerland 2024 survey here.

Why should you take part?

Seven years after VSHN’s first check on DevOps in Switzerland, it is time to take a closer look at its current state and adoption in 2024.

VSHN and Zühlke will prepare an (anonymized) report, “DevOps in Switzerland 2024“, in which we compare this year’s results with those of previous years to derive trends and better understand the development of DevOps. You will be asked for your email address at the end of the survey if you want to receive a copy.

And just like last year, we will have a prize draw! If you enter your details at the end, you’ll automatically enter a prize draw for one (1) Digitec / Galaxus voucher of 200 CHF or one (1) APPUiO Cloud voucher worth 200 CHF! We will contact the two winners privately and separately on Friday, May 3rd, 2024. The terms and conditions apply.

Help us determine the current state of DevOps in Switzerland! Please take part in our study and tell us about your experience with DevOps and what role DevOps plays in your business.

We are already very excited to learn about results and trends. Thank you in advance for your participation!

Adrian Kosmaczewski

Adrian Kosmaczewski is in charge of Developer Relations at VSHN. He is a software developer since 1996, a trainer, and a published author. Adrian holds a Master in Information Technology from the University of Liverpool.

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General Press

Introducing gepardec-run: Your 24/7 Hassle-Free Application Management Solution, powered by VSHN

6. Oct 2023

Collaboration between Gepardec, VSHN, and Exoscale

We are excited to announce a collaboration that brings together the best of three worlds—Gepardec, VSHN, and Exoscale—to offer you a solution for hassle-free application management and operations: gepardec-run, powered by VSHN. This service is designed to change the way you manage and operate your containerized applications, giving you the peace of mind you deserve.

The Challenge: Your Applications, Our Expertise

You’ve invested in developing containerized individual software, and the concept of DevOps sounds promising. However, the operational aspect of DevOps can be a daunting task, one that developers often prefer to avoid. The round-the-clock responsibility can be taxing.

gepardec-run, powered by VSHN,  transforms this scenario by providing professional 24/7 technical support for your applications and container platform, all bundled into one package. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert in OpenShift or Kubernetes.

The Hurdles We Help You Overcome

  • 24/7 Application Availability: You must ensure your applications are available 24/7 to keep your operations running smoothly.
  • Lack of Internal Readiness: Your team might not be prepared for the 24/7 cloud operation, and acquiring the necessary expertise can be challenging.
  • Outdated CI/CID Environments: you may have outdated build and deployment environments which make cloud-native development difficult for you.
  • Lack of Knowledge: Navigating the complexities of container platforms can be overwhelming, making it difficult to make the right technology choices.
  • Cloud-Native Technology Landscape: The cloud-native technology landscape is vast and intricate, making it challenging to select the right tools.
  • Resource and Time Demands: Implementing and maintaining CI/CD, platform, and observability can be resource-intensive and time-consuming.

Our Services and Your Benefit: Hassle-Free Application Operation

gepardec-run, powered by VSHN, offers an array of services to tackle these challenges head-on:

  • 24/7 Technical Operation: We take the responsibility of keeping your applications up and running on our Red Hat OpenShift platform, provided by VSHN.
  • Test Environments at your Fingertips: Access pre-configured environments quickly with a few clicks or automatically based on feature branches.
  • DevOps Environment Out-Of-The-Box: we provide a selection of state-of-the-art tools that work together seamlessly.
  • Collaborative DevOps: We join forces with your DEV team to enhance your application operations continually.
  • Predictable Costs: Say goodbye to budget surprises.
  • Compliance: The cooperation between Gepardec, VSHN, and Exoscale provides a reliable and secure data processing platform in the DACH region,

For more information on how gepardec-run can transform your application operations, visit gepardec-run.

We’re excited to embark on this journey with you, making application management simpler, more efficient, and hassle-free. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Gepardec, VSHN, and Exoscale as we continue to innovate together.

Together, we run your applications, so you don’t have to.

VSHN provides professional 24/7 technical support for your applications and container platform, all bundled into one package. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert in OpenShift or Kubernetes. Trust VSHN to provide the expertise, guidance, and hands-on engineering needed to propel your online business forward. VSHN is committed to building customized full solutions to ensure your business runs reliably around the clock.

Exoscale provides a secure and scalable cloud infrastructure (data center, CPU, RAM, networking, storage) with robust data protection features, ensuring your data and applications are always safe and accessible. Exoscale’s data centers in multiple regions offer low-latency access to your applications and data, no matter where your users are located, ensuring a seamless experience.

Gepardec’s focus is on the development of enterprise-specific software solutions as well as consulting in the areas of cloud, integration, and automation. So that people use better software.

Aarno Aukia

Aarno is Co-Founder of VSHN AG and provides technical enthusiasm as a Service as CTO.

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General

ISO 27001 Certification Renewed

4. Jul 2023

We’re pleased to report that the Swiss Safety Center just renewed our ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification!

We are convinced that transparency and certified processes improve data security and confidentiality. We are (again!) ISO 27001 certified and work according to the strict FINMA guidelines to ensure the security and confidentiality of client data at all times. Our ISAE 3402 Report Type 2 is also audited by an external organization.

VSHN was the first Kubernetes Certified Service Provider (KCSP) in Switzerland, and is now the first Swiss Red Hat Advanced CCSP Partner.

This new ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certificate is valid until October 2025, and you can download it from our Awards & Certifications page.

Adrian Kosmaczewski

Adrian Kosmaczewski is in charge of Developer Relations at VSHN. He is a software developer since 1996, a trainer, and a published author. Adrian holds a Master in Information Technology from the University of Liverpool.

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General

VSHNday 2023: Limited support availability on 2023-06-08

25. May 2023

Every year all VSHNeers take a day off from the daily business, to meet and shape the future of VSHN on what we call the “VSHNday.”

VSHNday 2023 will take place on Thursday, June 8th, 2023. For this reason, on that day VSHN will only be available for incident handling. We will keep an eye on incident tickets, and answer the technical support phone number. Our OnCall service is not affected.

Adrian Kosmaczewski

Adrian Kosmaczewski is in charge of Developer Relations at VSHN. He is a software developer since 1996, a trainer, and a published author. Adrian holds a Master in Information Technology from the University of Liverpool.

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General Tech

Get the “DevOps in Switzerland 2023” Report

12. May 2023

We are thrilled to announce the fourth edition of our “DevOps in Switzerland” report!

From February to April 2023 we conducted a study to learn how Swiss companies implement and apply DevOps principles.

We compiled the results into a PDF file, and just like in the previous edition, we provided a short summary of our findings in the first pages.

You can get the report here. Enjoy reading and we look forward to your feedback!

Adrian Kosmaczewski

Adrian Kosmaczewski is in charge of Developer Relations at VSHN. He is a software developer since 1996, a trainer, and a published author. Adrian holds a Master in Information Technology from the University of Liverpool.

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General

Meet the Winners of the DevOps Study 2023 Prize Draw!

2. May 2023

With the DevOps in Switzerland Study 2023 we have introduced a raffle. We raffled prizes among every participant of the survey who entered their data and here are the winners:

(1) Digitec / Galaxus voucher value 200 CHF

Winner: Dominik Hartmann

(1) APPUiO Cloud voucher value 200 CHF

Winner: Marcel Baumann

Congratulations to both of you!

We have already notified the two winners and wish them lots of fun with their prizes.

Many thanks to the winners and all other participants of the DevOps Study 2023. We are now working at full speed on the DevOps Report and will publish it again as usual on vshn.ch.

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General

DevOps in Switzerland Study 2023

15. Feb 2023

Just like in previous years, we would like to know about the current state of DevOps in Switzerland. Our goal with this study is to investigate how you and your company understand DevOps and whether you already work according to DevOps principles. The current state of DevOps, reasons for and against an introduction of the DevOps philosophy, and where the development is headed will be determined. We will compare the results with the ones from last year to be able to draw conclusions and see trends directly.

Survey

The survey is open until April 27th, 2023, and may be shared, forwarded, and retweeted with your peers. It will only take about 5 minutes of your time.

Why should you take part?

Six years after our first check on DevOps in Switzerland, it is time to take a closer look at its current state and adoption in 2023.

We will send each participant an (of course, anonymized) report, “DevOps in Switzerland 2023” upon request, in which we compare this year’s results with those of last year to derive trends and better understand the development of DevOps. Therefore you will be asked for your email address at the end of the survey.

And just like last year, we have a prize draw! If you enter your details at the end, you’ll automatically enter a prize draw for one (1) Digitec / Galaxus voucher of 200 CHF or one (1) APPUiO Cloud voucher worth 200 CHF! We will contact the two winners privately and separately on Friday, April 28th, 2023. The terms and conditions are available.

Help us determine the current state of DevOps in Switzerland! Please take part in our study and tell us about your experience with DevOps and what role DevOps plays in your business.

We are already very excited to learn about results and trends. Thank you in advance for your participation!

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General

VSHN year in review 2022

27. Jan 2023

Just like in 2021202020192018, and 2017, here is our review of all the things that happened in and around VSHN during 2022.

It’s time to take a look back at the year 2022 and reflect on the events and developments that have shaped the world. It’s been a year of incredible change, an ongoing pandemic, climate crisis and of course a terrible war in Europe resulting in an energy crisis not seen before and ongoing economic uncertainty.

The past year was marked by the war in Ukraine, causing significant geopolitical and economic uncertainty, as well as the fear of a potential economic recession. Layoffs in big tech companies also became a reality and affected many professionals in the industry. We saw companies laying off thousands of people which would have been unthinkable only a year ago.

But we also saw the rise of AI with Dall-E mini and ChatGPT as actual first real-world examples of what AI or ML are capable of. We also saw an ongoing accelerated shift to cloud-based solutions, and we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of companies moving their infrastructure and applications to the cloud.

All in all, it’s been a year of rapid change and challenges. We’re excited to see what the future holds, but also aware of the need to be prepared for the unforeseen. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with our customers and partners to help them navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape and achieve their goals.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to working with you in 2023.

Enjoy reading our Year in Review 2023.

Thanks and to a great 2023!

Your VSHNeers

VSHN achievements in 2022

We achieved quite a lot in 2022: we’re undergoing the biggest re-teaming in VSHN’s history which will align our teams towards value streams, we become the first Red Hat Premier CCSP Partner in Switzerland, we were named kununu Top Company 2022 as employer, we again improved our ranking in the Computerworld Top 500 2022 and last but not least opened our Vancouver, Canada offices. The idea behind this is a “follow the sun strategy” to make use of different timezones in order to reduce night shifts for our VSHNeers here in Switzerland. As another great initiative, we supported Hackathon for Accessible Technologies 2022 together with our friends at Red Hat and we published the DevOps in Switzerland 2022 report.

In terms of home office vs. office, we have a strong new addition to actually go to the office. It’s called VSHNtower and it’s our newest office space in Neugasse 6 on the top floor. Check out yourself and join us for a coffee or beer there. 🙂

Our open employee handbook grew quite a lot since we started it and we received very positive feedback. There are even companies and friends of VSHN using parts of it for themselves and also for people interested in joining VSHN, it’s a great help before your first interview and to get some insights on how we work as an organization.

VSHN strategy & product focus

After agreeing on our Key Drivers and Key Deliverables, we figured out that we as VSHN want to focus even more on Cloud Native Software and want to become the trusted Service Provider for companies that need to run software and be the best partner for Software Developers and System Engineers to help them in their daily tasks. We have also set our Company Focus for 2023 to guide us in this process.

Our Kubernetes First Strategy is well on the way and lots of initiatives have been kickstarted recently. One of the already visible products are APPUiO Cloud and AppCat (ApplicationCatalog) and VSHN AppFlow and VSHN AppOps will become the new cornerstone of VSHN.

New products APPUiO Cloud & VSHN AppCat

APPUiO Cloud is our Namespace-as-a-Service offering based on Red Hat OpenShift 4, check out our behind the scenes blog post. In particular, Project Syn enabled the automation of many different tasks in APPUiO Cloud. And of course it is all 100% Open Source, as is the APPUiO Cloud Commodore Component.

News about APPUiO Cloud & AppCat

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/bonjour-geneve-je-mappelle-appuio-cloud/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/appuio-cloud-billing/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/about-the-appuio-cloud-api/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/behind-the-scenes-at-appuio-cloud/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/vertical-pod-autoscaler-on-appuio-cloud/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/vshn-hackday-tailscale-on-appuio-cloud/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/announcing-appcat-on-appuio-cloud/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/creating-a-product-through-devops-the-story-of-appuio-cloud/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/choose-between-performance-or-lower-cost-with-node-classes-on-appuio-cloud/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/openshift-4-11-and-user-workload-monitoring/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/announcing-dbaas-by-exoscale-on-appcat/

VSHN AppOps and AppFlow

VSHN AppFlow and VSHN AppOps will be the new cornerstone of VSHN together with VSHN AppCat and the existing and already well-know APPUiO product suite. You can see a first outlook in our Product Portfolio.

All of this implies a certain change in our organization and team structure. With this move, we want to focus even more on running our customers’ applications and organize VSHN’s different business units to deliver value end-to-end most effectively. In doing so, our main goal will be to have as few dependencies as possible between our teams and to find the best way to further develop the required expertise in all areas of VSHN, both for our customers and for the continuous personal development of our VSHNeers.

We also improved our product docs and want to get even better in documenting for our customers and partners.

Are you interested in VSHN AppOps and AppFlow? Please contact us, we’re happy to discuss your needs.

Kubernetes, OpenShift & tech

Other interesting VSHN blog posts from 2022:

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/thriving-in-a-zeitgeist-market/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/serverless-on-kubernetes-knative/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/agent-less-gitlab-integration-with-openshift/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/how-to-restrict-container-registries-per-namespace-with-kyverno/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/keeping-things-up-to-date-with-renovate/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/most-interesting-new-features-of-openshift-4-11/

https://www.vshn.ch/en/blog/stay-ahead-of-the-game-with-kubernetes/

Thanks for reading our Year in Review 2022 and all the best!

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us
General

Opening hours Christmas 2022 and New Year

19. Dec 2022

Dear customers and partners

We are happy to inform you about our opening hours during Christmas 2022 and New Year. Of course, we will also ensure smooth platform operation over the holidays this year.

We are available for you the next 2 weeks as follows:

  • Dec 26 2022: holiday
  • Dec 27 – 30 2022: 9.00am to 6.00pm
  • Jan 2 2023: holiday
  • Jan 3 – 6 2023: 9.00am to 6.00pm

Of course, our customers with 24/7 Support Plan Priority also enjoy our support day and night on Christmas and New Year in case of emergency.

VSHN AG and all VSHNeers wish everyone a wonderful, reflective and successful holiday season! See you soon and already now a great new year 2023!

Markus Speth

Marketing, People, Strategy

Contact us

Our team of experts is available for you. In case of emergency also 24/7.

Contact us