At its final All Hands event, Karsun Solutions celebrated the more than 1400 hours of training, professional development, and certifications earned by its team members in 2020. This incredible accomplishment was driven by the Karsun Innovation Center (KIC) and its newly launched Practice Areas. These employee-centered teams introduced a series of Dojos, Brown Bag, and certification workshops to ensure all teams had the experts they need to Do Extraordinary while Defying Assumptions.
The KIC was first introduced as an in-house Research and Development unit. Later, in 2016, it added Karsun Academy, a professional development program aimed at supporting team member technical certifications. In 2018 it introduced the first of five Practice Areas. These currently include Solution, DevSecOps, Lean, Data, and Development Practice Areas.
These areas span Karsun offerings with a dedicated lead for each and a core set of practice advocates in every delivery program. They also drive excellence through the creation of reusable assets and toolkits, the establishment of guidelines, industry certifications and technology partnerships, and the enablement of active collaboration among employees. It is through these industry partnerships, with vendors like Red Hat, AWS, and StreamSets, that the center offers a full training curriculum designed to familiarize teams with the latest enterprise modernization technologies and solutions.
Subject Matter Experts Share Experience in Multiday Dojos
Karsun Practice Leads introduced Dojos as a format to deliver multiday, hands-on training to delivery teams. These in-depth workshops bring team members up to speed on best practices and emerging methodologies. While initially created as in-person events, the Innovation Center quickly enhanced its digital workplace tool suite, Karsun Konnect, to offer these events in a remote environment.
DevSecOps Practice Adapts Ansible 101 to Virtual Workshop
Karsun is a long-standing Red Hat Ready Partner. Karsun Academy previously hosting multiday in-person workshops led by Red Hat experts. This year the KIC adapted some of this training into an Ansible 101 Digital Dojo. Led by Samir Bham, the Director of the DevSecOps practice, this virtual workshop allowed team members to log in remotely, gain hands-on experience with a subject matter expert all while learning best practices.
Employee to Employee Sharing in Weekly Brown Bags
Brown Bags, hosted by any Karsun team member, spotlights team member expertise in short, one-hour presentations. The training and professional development team introduced these shorter sessions to augment Karsun Academy certification courses. Today, sessions cover a range of professional development topics from new vendor solutions to soft skills.
Lunchtime Workshop Focuses on Migration & Disaster Recovery
Madhu Chellappa, of Karsun’s DevSecOps practice, led one such workshop on Migration and Disaster Recovery. This short, one-hour session discussed a solution using Cloud Endure. This highly automated rehosting solution from AWS simplifies and expedites migration.
Certification Programs Ensure Expert Teams Ready on Day One
Certification programs formed the original backbone of Karsun Academy. This provided employees with industry-standard certifications. Through this program, for instance, the Innovation Center ensured over 40 Karsun team members are AWS certified!
DataOps NoVa Hosts StreamSets Certification Workshop
The Innovation Center also hosts DataOps NoVa through its Data Practice. Members in that Meetup group attended a three-day data engineering workshop from StreamSets alongside Karsun team members. Participants enhanced their data pipelines skills with a combination of vendor-led presentations and hands-on challenges using the StreamSets DataOps platform. After the workshop, most participants had the opportunity to be fully certified as Expert StreamSets Developers.
Karsun Solutions is repeatedly recognized for growth by publications like the Washington Business Journal and Inc. Magazine. Innovation Center Practice Areas ensure team members will continue to Grow with Karsun. These programs in turn create a pipeline of Enterprise Modernization Experts ready to solve difficult government transformation challenges. To learn more about how Karsun’s modern software development, cloud solutions or data solutions complete the form located here.
Karsun Solutions strengthened its relationship with Amazon Web Services (AWS) through its Innovation Center Data Practice this fall. The center hosts the DataOps NoVa Meetup, a professional development group that introduces the Northern Virginia data and IT community to the latest practices, vendors and solutions for DataOps. The Meetup partnered with AWS for two events.
The Zen of DataOps
On October 22nd the Meetup featured a virtual presentation on The Zen of DataOps. The event began with a brief overview of Karsun’s Data and Cloud Practices by Shaunak Ashtaputre. Next, it welcomed AWS expert Stephen Moon. This virtual presentation dove into AWS Lake Formation and the Data Supply Chain Pipeline.
AWS and Dataguise Help Karsun Customers Improve Data Governance
Shaunak Ashtaputre, Director of the Data Practice and Co-Founder of DataOps NoVa, was invited to share a case study at an event co-hosted by AWS and Dataguise in November 2020. This webinar delved into a specific data governance solution, built with Dataguise on AWS, for one of Karsun’s public sector customers. Learn how these offerings can Reduce Sensitive and Personal Data Risk and Enable Compliance here.
AWS Resources Beyond Data
Karsun Solutions is a proud AWS Advanced Consulting Partner. As such it offers complete cloud solutions in addition to modern software development and data solutions. Current cloud solutions include cloud migration, cloud platform buildout and serverless computing.
Cloud Runway
Included in Karsun’s migration solution is the Cloud Runways toolkits. This enables cloud first organizations to systematically migrate legacy systems to the cloud. The Cloud Practice uses a proprietary multi-criteria decision support framework to perform a robust assessment of the solution providers’ key characteristics. Considering characteristics such as interoperability, flexibility, SLAs and security allows the team to make an optimal selection on the providers. Karsun’s cloud experts also focus on balancing private, public, and hybrid cloud options based on economics, functionality, and security.
Through relationships with vendors like Dataguise and AWS Karsun offers high-quality cloud and data solutions. Its Data, Solution and Development practice backs up each of these resources through employee-centered training and enablement. Learn more about Karsun’s AWS offerings here.
HERNDON, VA– Karsun Solutions, a public-sector IT modernization firm, announced today that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Government Competency status. This designation recognizes that Karsun Solutions has deep experience developing solutions for government customers delivering mission-critical workloads and applications on AWS.
Achieving the AWS Government Competency differentiates Karsun as an AWS Partner Network (APN) member that possess deep domain expertise in Security and Compliance with innovative cloud solutions that leverage AWS services. To receive the designation, APN Partners must possess deep AWS expertise and deliver solutions seamlessly on AWS.
“Karsun Solutions is proud to be an APN partner and to achieve AWS Government Competency status,” said Ben Marglin, Vice President Client Solutions. “Our team is dedicated to helping agencies achieve their goals by leveraging the agility, breadth of services, and pace of innovation that AWS provides.”
AWS is enabling scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions from startups to global enterprises. To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, AWS established the AWS Competency Program to help customers identify Consulting and Technology APN Partners with deep industry experience and expertise.
Karsun’s Cloud Solutions portfolio offers clients a full suite of services to develop and host cloud-based applications that are scalable, cost less, secure and available. Cloud offerings go beyond to lift and shift including hybrid architecture, platform buildout and application migration. The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration and General Services Administration are among Karsun’s current cloud solutions customers.
“Our innovate-prototype-validate-deliver cycle is a reflection of our capabilities-driven approach to cloud,” said Badri Sriraman, Vice President Karsun Innovation Center. “Using this framework we ensure our cloud solutions directly address the real-world customer problem.”
As an experienced an IT contractor with multiple $100 million-plus federal contracts, the organization’s approach to solutioning relies on the close relationship between research and development teams and delivery teams. Prior to delivery subject matter experts prototype new solutions in the Karsun Innovation Center (KIC). Seasoned practitioners from the KIC ensure cloud solutions teams adhere to industry best practices. Karsun further bolsters delivery quality through GoLean, a development methodology which institutes DevSecOps and CI-CD best practices. Karsun’s development practice, including GoLean, was recently appraised at CMMI Level 5 – DEV.
About Karsun Solutions
The federal IT modernization experts, Karsun Solutions enables enterprise transformation for its government customers including the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration and General Services Administration. An innovation-based and performance-driven culture, Karsun Solutions teams deliver extraordinary software development, cloud and advanced analytics solutions to their customers. Karsun Solutions’ commitment to quality includes a DCAA Approved Accounting System, a CMMI Level 5 – DEV appraisal plus ISO 9001, ISO 20000 and ISO 27001 certifications.
BE GREATER is the challenge we give to all employees at Karsun Solutions. Professional development is one of our core values. We offer the Karsun Academy program as part of our commitment to nurturing enterprise modernization expertise among team members. Karsun offers multiple avenues for in-demand IT skills development through this program.
Workshops from the Karsun Innovation Center
Participation in innovation is a pillar of Karsun culture. The Karsun Innovation Center (KIC) is Karsun’s in-house research and development team. KIC team members act as expert resources for teams at Karsun. As part of that mission, team members establish industry partnerships. Innovation partners include AWS, Appian, Microsoft, and Red Hat. KIC also brings in partner experts to host workshops on topics like DevSecOps and data streams in Internet of Things implementations.
Employee Knowledge Sharing
Knowledge sharing is an extension of our continuous learning culture and GoLean methodology. As part of that philosophy, Karsun also hosts a recurring brown bag series. Teams share insights and learning with their peers across the enterprise. Karsun employees are encouraged to participate in local industry groups. Employees are also encouraged to share their findings through outside organizations. Recent presenters are also invited to present internally at Karsun. Employees were recently treated to talks on microservices and serverless architecture.
Certification Programs
Karsun Solutions’ AWS certification classes are one of the earliest manifestations of the Karsun Academy program. Today Karsun employees have the opportunity to receive training and support for either their AWS Associate or Professional Certifications. They may also work with their supervisor to seek out IT skills certification opportunities in any of our three practice areas: Modern Software Development, Cloud Solutions, or Advanced Analytics.
We are rapidly growing and looking for team members excited to grow with us. Apply through our careers page to join us in Oklahoma, Virginia or Washington, DC. To learn more about professional development at Karsun, speak directly with one of our recruiters during our weekly Talent Thursdays chats. For the latest job openings and Karsun news follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or YouTube.
2025 Update: This blog post was originally published in 2018. Ready to start your journey with the Enterprise Modernization Experts? Find Your Next and learn how you can grow with our professional development programs. If you are a Karsun employee seeking Karsun Academy resources please visit our Employee Resources Page.
Serverless computing, especially AWS Lambda, is a darling of Enterprise IT professionals. First entering the spotlight four years ago, Lambda allows the running of code without provisioning or managing servers. Thus it owes its rising popularity to ease of use, scalability and low costs tied solely to consumed compute time. In response to this increased demand for information on serverless computing, Karsun Solutions Data Analyst Sidharth Ramesh recently presented an Introduction to AWS Lambda at the Northern Virginia Linux Users Group. This Lambda 101 style talk served as an introduction to serverless.
Lambda 101
In his talk, Sidharth explains AWS Lambda is a function-as-a-service event-driven model. Sidharth uses the analogy of pushing code, rather than spinning up new instances. He outlines this departure from previous architectures and suggests use cases where Lambda may replace EC2 instances.
He provides an overview of implementation, including strategies for structuring event triggers. Drawing upon his past interactions with the Karsun Innovation Center, he shared lessons learned as well as suggested use cases. These include using Lambda in ETL or scenarios requiring an infrastructure as code approach.
View Sidharth’s complete talk on YouTube and his presentation on GitPitch.
Karsun Solutions – The Enterprise Modernization Experts
Established in 2009, Karsun Solutions LLC is in the business of solving problems. A premier IT consulting firm, we are an Amazon Web Services Advanced Consulting Partner, AWS Public Sector Partner, and AWS Authorized Reseller. From DevOps to Cloud Migration AWS is one of our many partners empowering Karsun Teams to Do Extraordinary! These teams deliver a portfolio of Enterprise Modernization services including Cloud Solutions, Modern Software Development, and Advanced Analytics. Our premier customers include the General Services Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, US Department of Homeland Security, Smithsonian and Government Accountability Office. Karsun Solutions’ quality, development, and information security practices include CMMI Level 3, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 20000 and ISO 27001 certifications.
Karsun Solutions offers a portfolio of enterprise modernization solutions to federal and commercial clients. Key among these is Karsun’s cloud migration solution, Cloud Runway. Cloud Runway enables cloud first organizations to migrate legacy systems to the cloud. Karsun recently paired its Innovation Center team with one of their federal customers for a large migration effort using Amazon Web Services (AWS).
The Challenge
The customer approached Karsun to move an app to the cloud in order to reduce costs. Critically, the customer also wanted to limit the impact on business lines during the migration. In any of Karsun’s Cloud Solutions offerings, the goal is to leverage the flexibility and agility offered by the cloud to reduce costs. The approach balances private, public, and hybrid cloud options based on economics, functionality, and security. Migration teams use strategic partnerships, like those with AWS, to build cost-effective high-quality solutions.
Beginning the Transformation Process
Karsun’s Cloud Runaway leverages change management best practices. Migration teams discourage customers from building their own platforms in favor of focusing on the assets and processes already available to them. They start by identifying the processes and tools already in use. First, the team implements Karsun’s GoLean methodology. Teams identify daily process performance and health measures prior to migration. These measures are assessed and tracked throughout the migration to observe and mitigate the impact on development teams.
Once teams are actively measuring their performance metrics, tools are paired with similar cloud-native apps. The objective is to support and nurture the processes already in place. Karsun’s partnership with AWS supports the migration team’s efforts to use their own experience to select the most appropriate tools available. Cloud Runway takes a collaborative to this transition. The Karsun Innovation Center pairs one of its teams with the migration team. In bringing this in-house research and development team on board, the migration effort utilizes the latest enterprise architecture solutions.
Combining Karsun’s change management approach with strategic cloud partnerships, the customer was able to quickly migrate to the cloud with limited interruptions to their business lines. Explore our Cloud Solutions page for more including customer case studies. Contact Us to start a conversation with our cloud migration team.
In July Karsun launched Karsun Academy, an on-site training and certification program for its employees. The two areas of focus initially were AngularJS and AWS certifications. At the conclusion of the most recent program several employees received their AWS Associate or Professional certifications. Karsun offers training for AWS Certified Developer – Associate, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, and AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certifications.
Karsun Academy is one of several programs offered by Karsun Solutions designed to help employees achieve their personal and professional goals. All employees also have the opportunity to engage with the organization’s in-house research-and-development unit, the Karsun Innovation Center. If you’re ready to join a team that embraces growth visit our job postings and connect with our Talent Acquisition Team at hr@karsun-llc.com.