Some of the brightest minds in software development and information technology (IT) will gather in Pittsburgh this week for DevOpsDays.
The international conference, started in Belgium in 2009, looks to bring tech developers (Dev) and operators (Ops) together to raise the bar on how technological advances can improve people’s lives, such as the development of cloud computing.
Event organizer Andrew Clay Shafer said the conference brings more well-deserved attention to Pittsburgh’s blossoming high-tech industry.
“I’d love to see more of this kind of approach,” he said, “more of this kind of information to be part of the local start-up scene, the local enterprise IT.”
Representatives from companies such as IBM, Pivital, Modcloth and Showclix will give presentations, along with IT consultant and author Kevin Behr and Google Pittsburgh’s Director of Site Reliability Todd Underwood.
Shafer said 10 to 12 “open-space” forums will happen throughout the conference, covering topics such as IT automation, platform sharing and the adaptation of the DevOps culture.
“There are really no rules about open-space other than ‘the law of two feet,’ which says that, if you’re not learning or sharing, then you should leave and go to find another conversation where you’re going to be learning or sharing.,” he said.
Dozens of cities all over the world have hosted DevOpsDays, according to Shafer, including Austin, Boston, Portland, Sao Paulo and Sydney.
Shafer said the DevOps culture helps lead to more well-rounded professionals.
“This is basically a competitive advantage,” he said. “People that can manage these kinds of systems at scale, easily…have a competitive advantage.”
More than 300 people are expected to attend the conference, one-third from outside of Pittsburgh.
The event will be held May 29-30 at the University of Pittsburgh’s William Pitt Union. The cost is $200 and registration is required.
