If you’ve looked at the 2024 Gartner Infrastructure Automation and Orchestration Tools Market Guide, you’ve probably seen the big list of Representative Vendors (including us!) and felt a little daunted at all those names. We’ve gone ahead and categorized all 25 vendors (xlsx file) included to make it easier to evaluate the options in the market. We also created a few graphs with some interesting information from this breakdown of the Market Guide. If you haven’t got a copy yet, we’ll be swapping out our complimentary Gartner report soon so get it while you can!

A leader in this domain, the RackN CEO, Rob Hirschfeld, dissected these trends to highlight the pivotal role of Infrastructure as Code (IaC), the nuanced balance between provisioning and configuration, and the necessity to bridge operational silos as three key differences between the twenty-five vendors listed in the market guide.

1. Infrastructure as Code: The Game Changer

Representing nearly 44% of the market, the integration of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) into orchestration tools is more than just a trend – it’s a paradigm shift. IaC brings a level of precision, repeatability, and scalability that traditional methods can’t match. By treating infrastructure setup and changes as code, organizations can automate and streamline processes, drastically reducing human error and enhancing efficiency. As companies increasingly adopt tools like Terraform, the alignment with IaC principles is becoming an essential differentiator in the market.

2. Provisioning and Configuration: Integration not Silos

While provisioning and configuration are often viewed as separate entities, their intersection is where true operational efficiency lies. Provisioning, especially in the cloud context, is about establishing and managing the resources needed. Configuration, on the other hand, deals with setting up these resources to meet specific requirements. About 44% of the vendors focus on provisioning orchestration, which indicates a strong market inclination towards initial setup. However, the true power of automation lies in harmonizing provisioning with configuration management. This synergy allows for not just setting up the infrastructure but ensuring it continuously meets the evolving needs of the business.

3. Bridging Operational Silos: A Unified Approach

One of the most striking findings from our analysis is the prevalent issue of operational silos within organizations. About a third of the products in the market are primarily developer-focused, often at the expense of operational control and visibility. This divide leads to disjointed efforts and suboptimal outcomes. The key to bridging these gaps lies in adopting a platform approach that equally serves the needs of developers and operations teams. This unified strategy enhances collaboration, improves transparency, and facilitates more effective management of infrastructure resources.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead with RackN

At RackN, we recognize these market trends and challenges. Our Digital Rebar Platform embodies our decade-long commitment to providing an integrated solution that embraces IaC, bridges operational silos, and harmonizes provisioning with configuration. In an industry where siloed solutions are the norm, we offer a unique, holistic approach to infrastructure automation and orchestration. We encourage IT leaders to look beyond traditional methodologies and consider how a unified platform like ours can transform their approach to IT operations, fostering agility, efficiency, and growth.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of IT operations and DevOps, the focus should be on tools and platforms that not only address current needs but are also equipped to handle the challenges of the future. With RackN, embark on a journey towards a more integrated, efficient, and forward-thinking approach to infrastructure automation.  Want to learn more?  Book an appointment with our Customer Success team.

Gartner, Market Guide for Infrastructure Automation and Orchestration Tools, 2024, Chris Saunderson, Hassan Ennaciri, Daniel Betts, 21 February 2024.

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