A Day with Apache Stratos and WSO2 App Factory - WSO2 Conference 2014 (Pre-con tutorials)

This years WSO2 Conference 2014 Asia is based on "Technology Insights for a Connected Business". 

If you are wondering whats meant by "Connected Business" checkout the video link below. 

WSO2 : Steps for a connected business

Today was the pre-conference tutorial sessions day and I attended the morning session on "Comprehensive Cloud Strategy for Enterprises - Apache Stratos, WSO2 Private PaaS and WSO2 App Factory ". 

Initially I hadnt decided I will be attending above mentioned session but because of the crazy desire I have for "Enterprise Strategy" I was convinced that by learning cloud deployment strategies I could contribute for my company technological strategy whom paid Rs. 19,500/= which is becoming absolute trustworthy. 

Let me share with you what I learnt. 

1. Conference is Better organized 

I know for a fact that, planning, organizing and executing such a big event for 3 days is a herculean task since I have been a part of organizing such events for past 2 years. Despite all the burden, the organizing committee is doing a really good job. The best part is the organizing committee is a combination of Senior Management, Account Managers, HR personnel and interns. Wonder how they are managing work by being at conference from 9am - 5pm. Parallel to the pre-conference tutorials, assuming its the Sri Lanka's first Cloud Bar Camp was happening organized by Colombo Cloud Meetup Group. {Correct Me of I am wrong}

2. 5P

"Proper practice/planning prevents poor performance", that was the first thing which Aileen Apolo said to us when we were at Search Summit 2013, Indonesia. This is actually very true for most situation. When delivering a speech or conducting a training having practiced for a longer period and revitalizing the content through feedbacks, generates a really good outcome. Steve Jobs is THE most influential technology presenter I have ever seen, the natural ability to keep the audience sit back and hold tight into the seat is simply amazing. Even you would agree with me if you have watched his videos. Its all through practice. This is something most of the technological Sri Lankan tech presenters needs to improve. 

3. You can plug and play - Apache Stratos 

Apache Stratos is an open source PaaS which is currently in incubation and an amazing product which was initially built by WSO2 and then later donated to Apache Foundation's incubation program. Now its in its 3.0 version. This is an open source project. 

The best part is that from message broker to run times to load balancers you can plug your own desired software cartridge and start working. Have a look at the architecture of Apache Stratos. 

Apache Stratos Architecture - Source stratos.incubator.apache.org/

If you are interested in getting started and contribute creating cartridges or contribute to this open source project, check out the wiki

4. Time to work together - WSO2 App factory 

Check out this video first to get an idea whats App Factory. 

App Factory is basically is a collaboration tool which different parties of an organization will be brought together so that create velocity, agility, governance and monitoring can be implemented for app development within that organization. This product is bundled with other WSO2 products such as API Manager, Developer Studio and Apache Stratos. 

This is what App Factory says about the product. 

"WSO2 App Factory is a multi-tenant, elastic and self-service Enterprise DevOps platform that enables multiple project teams to collaboratively create, run and manage enterprise applications. Combining complete application lifecycle management and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) capabilities, WSO2 App Factory makes it possible to develop, test, deploy to production and retire applications with a single click. It also provides an easy way to discover and consume apps and APIs through a user-friendly storefront." 

Source - wso2.com/cloud/app-factory/

You will need this link to startup - https://cloudpreview.wso2.com/ and select app cloud once you have signed up. 

WSO2 App Factory Life Cycle
Source - http://b.content.wso2.com/wp-content/themes/wso2ng-v3/images/appfactory-lifecycle-l-01.png

WSO2 App Factory Topology 
Source - b.content.wso2.com/wp-content/themes/wso2ng-v3/images/appfactory-topology-l-01.png

5. Take your friends to conferences like this one

This dont seems like a big deal saying your friend, "Hey Machan, there is a good conference which you need to check out" but its always good to empower others as well if its related to their field of expertise. The money spent for purely entertainment only a waste while investing the same amount for learning would have ripple effects later. Its an added advantage that WSO2 got two after parties tomorrow and day after which is an added advantage. 

Super excited for tomorrow because two men whom I really admire will be speaking in the same conference. Dr. Sanjeewa Weerawarana (CEO and Founder of WSO2) and Dr. Hans Wijesuriya (CEO, Dialog Axiata PLC). Two Sri Lankan game changers. 

Here is the tomorrow's (25th March) agenda and WSO2 will be live streaming the event via this link