Harness Unveils Exciting New Modules for Its DevOps Toolset
Harness, a company that has been at the forefront of continuous delivery since its inception in 2018, has recently previewed three innovative modules for its DevOps toolset. These new offerings aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of software development and deployment processes. With a focus on generative AI agents, a software artifact registry, and improved database DevOps capabilities, Harness is positioning itself as a comprehensive solution for modern DevOps needs. The company anticipates that these updates will be generally available by early 2025.
The New Modules
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Cloud Development Environments
The first module, Cloud Development Environments, is designed to replace traditional developer laptops with cloud-based virtual machines (VMs). These VMs are prepared by platform engineers and come equipped with production-like dependencies. This approach not only streamlines the development process but also ensures that developers have access to a consistent environment that mirrors production settings. Similar to offerings like Docker Build Cloud and GitHub Codespaces, this module promises to enhance collaboration and reduce the friction often associated with local development setups. -
Artifact Registry
The Artifact Registry module serves as a centralized repository for managing software artifacts—essentially the products of the code-building process. While there are established alternatives like JFrog Artifactory and Sonatype Nexus Repository, Harness claims that its registry offers superior scalability and performance. With built-in caching support and robust supply chain security features, including a chain of custody and digital signing for artifacts, this module aims to provide a more secure and efficient way to manage software components throughout the deployment lifecycle. - Database DevOps
The Database DevOps module is particularly noteworthy, as it addresses a common pain point in the DevOps landscape: managing database changes. This module will create CI/CD pipelines that synchronize database changes with application code updates, incorporating automated rollback features to simplify the process. Jignesh Patel, director of cloud and DevOps at Morningstar, highlighted the importance of this feature, noting that database rollbacks are often challenging. By integrating database change management into the broader CI/CD process, Harness aims to improve testing and execution of updates.
Customer Insights and Reactions
The Database DevOps module has already garnered interest from existing Harness customers. Jignesh Patel, who transitioned from CloudBees and Jenkins to Harness, expressed enthusiasm about the potential for better integration of testing and execution of database changes. He noted that the use of variable expressions in Harness has significantly reduced the complexity of managing CI/CD pipelines, allowing teams to streamline their workflows.
Patel also indicated that he is considering the Harness Artifact Registry, even though his company currently utilizes a competitor’s solution. The appeal lies in the seamless integration that Harness promises, which could enhance overall efficiency.
Andrew Cornwall, an analyst at Forrester Research, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that many customers who opt for all-in-one DevOps platforms like Harness are often satisfied as long as the platform includes an artifact registry. However, he noted that developers may want to test the Cloud Development Environment to ensure it meets their specific needs before fully committing.
Generative AI Agents: A Game Changer for DevOps
In addition to the new modules, Harness has previewed a suite of generative AI agents designed to automate various aspects of the DevOps process. These agents will be integrated into existing modules and include a standalone AI QA Assistant. Built on foundational large language models from Google, OpenAI, and open-source projects, these AI agents aim to enhance productivity and streamline workflows.
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AI Code Assistant: This tool is similar to existing coding assistants but promises a better developer experience. It will be available for free to Harness customers, making it an attractive option for teams looking to enhance their coding efficiency.
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AI DevOps Assistant: This innovative tool will automatically generate CI/CD pipeline code, remediate failures, and suggest optimizations. By offloading tedious tasks from DevOps engineers, it aims to significantly improve their productivity.
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AI Productivity Insights: This feature will leverage data from the Harness Software Engineering Insights module to provide developers with valuable metrics, allowing them to compare their performance against industry standards.
- AI QA Assistant: This standalone product represents a significant advancement in UI test automation. By generating and updating test code in response to natural language requests, it aims to streamline the testing process and reduce the manual effort typically required.
While some customers, like Morningstar’s Patel, remain cautious about the effectiveness of Harness’s AI offerings compared to established players like GitHub Copilot, the potential for improved testing and automation is undeniable. The AI QA Assistant, in particular, has piqued interest for its ability to quickly identify issues that might otherwise take considerable time to uncover.
Looking Ahead
Harness’s commitment to innovation is evident in its ambitious plans for the future. With the introduction of these new modules and generative AI agents, the company is poised to enhance its position in the competitive DevOps landscape. As organizations increasingly seek integrated solutions that streamline development and deployment processes, Harness’s offerings may provide the comprehensive tools needed to meet these demands.
With the expected rollout of these features in early 2025, the DevOps community will be watching closely to see how Harness continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of software development.