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Do you have a question about software architecture, cloud computing, application modernization, or IT complexity? Ask SAILee! SAILee is the AI voice of Lee Atchison, the noted cloud architect, author, and leader in architecting scalable applications. Ask any question, and you'll get answers based on the books, articles, and other content created by Lee Atchison.

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How to build and manage a cloud center of excellence

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, the adoption of cloud-native technology has become a cornerstone for achieving unprecedented scale and agility. For organizations devoted to harnessing the full potential of cloud-native applications, the establishment of a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) is a common first step in this cloud-native journey. In the past, I’ve written about why building a CCoE will help your organization perform the necessary transformations. But once you’ve decided to build a CCoE, how do you actually do it?

Structure of the CCoE

While there are many possible CCoE organizational structures, there are …

7 Essential Tips for Setting Up Effective Monitoring

As the world of software development continues to evolve at a rapid pace, organizations are increasingly turning to tools such as Kubernetes to deploy, scale, and manage their containerized applications. Kubernetes and containers have, in particular, revolutionized how we build and deploy applications, but with this power comes the responsibility of ensuring our systems' health, performance, and reliability. This is where effective monitoring comes into play.

I've spent years working with companies of all sizes, helping them navigate the complexities of modern application architecture. Throughout my journey, I've learned that setting up a robust monitoring system is critical …

Welcome to
Software Architecture Insights

Software Architecture Insights is your go-to resource for empowering software architects and aspiring professionals with the knowledge and tools required to navigate the complex landscape of modern software design. SAI provides invaluable insights into crucial aspects of software architecture, including cloud computing, application security, scalability, availability, and more.

Whether you're a seasoned architect looking to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends or a prospective software architect eager to build a strong foundation in this dynamic field, our platform is here to guide you in making informed decisions that will shape the success of your software projects. Join us on a journey of discovery, learning, and mastery as we delve deep into the architectural principles that drive innovation and excellence in the world of software.


Five Best Practices for Managing Configurations in Cloud-Native Applications

Managing configuration information in a complex, cloud-native application can be daunting. There is seemingly configuration everywhere.

  • There’s configuration describing the network interconnections in your system, including routing rules and port blocking.
  • There’s configuration for your load balancers, determining where to send traffic destined for your service.
  • There’s configuration for security permissions needed for databases, caches, servers, third-party applications, and other systems.
  • There’s configuration for your application itself, describing database connections, service connections, and various secrets and other configuration values.

In a cloud-native application using a microservice-based architecture, the configuration problem is …

The Art of Influence: Navigating Technical Debt, Driving Innovation, and Shaping Success

Software architects hold a unique and influential position in the product development lifecycle, guiding technical decisions that shape the product's future.

Let me be clear - architects aren't just technical decision makers, they're risk managers who shape your entire product's future. I've seen this firsthand in my years at AWS, New Relic and other enterprises. When you're operating at scale, every architectural decision carries both opportunity and risk. Technical debt isn't just a burden - it's a strategic lever that needs to be actively managed.

Too many organizations get this wrong by treating architecture as a purely …

The Art of Influence: How Software Architects Shape Product Development

Ready to pull the ripcord on VMWare? On Nov 6, join my friends over at CAST and AWS to learn how software intelligence can speed up and derisk the move to best-fit cloud services. Register today!

In the complex ecosystem of software development, the role of a software architect is critical in shaping the direction and success of product development. Software architects wield significant influence that extends well beyond writing code or making isolated technical decisions. Software architects can use their unique position to shape product development and drive organizational success.

The Importance of Continuous Learning for Software Architects

In world of software development, the role of a software architect often appears to stand at the top of the technical leadership ladder. With that responsibility comes an even greater need for continuous learning and adaptation. As someone who's spent years in the trenches of cloud architecture, I can tell you that the moment you stop learning is the moment you start becoming obsolete.

The Shifting Sands of Technology

Let's face it: the tech landscape is changing faster than ever before. What was cutting-edge yesterday is run-of-the-mill today and potentially outdated tomorrow. As a software architect, you're …

What is Software Architecture Insights?

Software Architecture Insights is a regular newsletter providing insights into architecting your modern applications at scale. Modern digital businesses continually struggle with building new and innovative applications that also maintain high availability at cloud-scale.

Software Architecture Insights gives you, well, insights into how tech leaders and software architects function effectively. Learn how to build, operate, and maintain applications at scale, innovate new features and capabilities, and keep teams fully engaged. All while effectively managing IT complexity and technical debt.

Insightful …

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