What is our primary use case?
We use
GitLab for deploying our applications into different environments. It serves as more of a DevOps platform.
What is most valuable?
The CI/CD pipelines in
GitLab are highly valuable. Another important feature is the single source of repository, allowing efficient repository management and source code management. GitLab provides manageability by allowing us to manage source code effectively through separate repositories. Additionally, GitLab enables the creation of individual CI/CD pipelines for each repository, making software more agile. By integrating GitLab as a DevOps platform, we have enhanced agility, improved our time to market, and different teams can work collaboratively on various projects.
What needs improvement?
GitLab should embed security features when dealing with source code. It is essential to conduct proper testing, such as unit tests and code coverage, within the SDLC pipelines. Incorporating tools like
JMeter or load testing into the pipelines would be beneficial.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with GitLab for around four to five years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
The deployment process with GitLab takes approximately half an hour to forty-five minutes, which is not very time-consuming.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I have no complaints regarding stability. GitLab maintains an availability of 99% plus.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Currently, GitLab is not easy to scale because GitLab has specific deployment instructions. We deploy it on one of the VMs. For scaling, other deployment options from GitLab's side need to be adopted. Vertical scaling is different from horizontal scaling, and there are different types of scalability.
How are customer service and support?
GitLab's support is very helpful. They utilize a severity and priority ticket system, with corresponding SLAs, to address our inquiries efficiently. The support team is quite knowledgeable.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I previously used
Jenkins. However, GitLab is a better tool because
Jenkins requires different plugins which need to be installed and managed individually, whereas GitLab is a more complete DevOps platform, requiring minimal integration.
How was the initial setup?
GitLab is easy to set up, with guided instructions and documentation making the process straightforward. On a scale from one to ten, I would rate the ease of setup as eight.
What was our ROI?
Since adopting GitLab as a DevOps platform within the entire SDLC process, we have become more agile and improved our overall time to market.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
GitLab is somewhat expensive. The cost depends on the subscription plan adopted, such as premium or ultimate, typically charged per user.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Jenkins is another tool I evaluated before choosing GitLab.
What other advice do I have?
GitLab is a great tool that simplifies management and reliability. It allows the creation of individual CI/CD pipelines for different repositories, enhancing agility and helping software development teams expedite market delivery. I rate GitLab nine out of ten in overall satisfaction. My overall rating for GitLab is 9.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
