Recently Tintri announced two new ways that we can change the How-to-Do of Server Virtualization; Tintri Chatops and Alexa.  So, what does this all mean you ask?  It means that the traditional ways that we deploy our virtual server workloads of today have the potential to eventually become the “stone and tablet” methods of the past.

Alexa

How-to-Do Self Service Style

Their idea is one of self service for both the administrator and beyond to the user. The idea is that we should be able to use language or Instant Messaging based tools to process simple commands, and voila!  Server deployment just happens.  While it becomes simple for the administrator, the nuts and bolts of designing these workloads is a complex project that must be designed with security and governance in mind.

What’s Cooking?

Well here is some of what they have shared so far about their “self-service initiative”.  There are two pieces to this puzzle.

  • Tintri Chatops is the first self-service deployment concept. This option allows for integration with the chat/Instant Messaging (IM) tool Slack, and has the potential to expand into other IM platforms.  While the adoption of Slack is a whole different conversation; it is one I would encourage you to have whether you integrate anything with Tintri or not.  That aside, the development that Tintri is doing with this platform looks as if it has the potential to change landscape of the server administrator’s workday.  The concept is simplification of day to day workloads.
  • Voice integration with Alexa is the other automation concept. This option also would allow for deployment of server workloads, but through simple voice commands with Alexa.  This technology option also promoting simplification of day to day workloads.

They expect Tintri Chatops, and Voice integration with Alexa to officially released sometime later this year.

Changing the How-To-Do IT Landscape

I enjoy how the IT Landscape is changing.  The way we do our jobs today is being reinvented in a way that will allow us to simplify our workday.  Now that doesn’t mean we that anyone will be kicked back with their feet up on their desks all day.  It means that technical teams will acquire a broader understanding of the technologies that support the organizations they work for.  The value in return is that the team has a deeper appreciation for the requirements of the business.

Lean IT

Strategically many organizations are working toward running lean IT models.  Trying to do less with more is a tough approach.  It means that we are balancing the act of supporting the business, but expecting the most from our employees.  It’s new ideas and concepts like the ones Tintri is embarking on that will help us run lean IT models without burning out our teams we have grown to trust and rely upon so heavily.