Navigating DevOps in Complex ERP Systems: When CI and CD Need to Be Separate

By Ravi Vanapalli , Technical Program Manager, Nihilent Limited

Navigating DevOps in Complex ERP Systems: When CI and CD Need to Be Separate

Drawing on Nihilent’s extensive experience working with large enterprises, I recently engaged with a client whose complex ERP setup demonstrated just how tricky big enterprise systems can be. On paper, their architecture looked seamless: microservices, APIs, and third-party tools all connected. In reality, even a small change could create a ripple effect across the system.

The Problem: CI and CD Are Not Always Together

Many people assume DevOps is one smooth process where code is written, tested, and deployed automatically. In this client’s system, it was not that simple. This complexity stemmed from several factors often encountered in large ERP ecosystems Nihilent serves:

• Teams distributed across different locations.

• Multiple versions of software running in parallel.

• Shared testing environments where one mistake can slow everyone down.

While automatic Continuous Integration (CI) continued to work effectively, Continuous Delivery (CD) required additional checks, approvals, and clear communication to ensure stability and coordination.

Our Solution: Keep CI Automatic, Make CD Careful

This aligns with Nihilent’s proven hybrid DevOps approach, balancing automation with governance and disciplined execution. Here is what we implemented:

• Automated CI: Every code change is automatically tested, validating quality and consistency.

• Careful CD: Code moves to testing or production only after approvals, ensuring predictable and reliable releases.

• Coordinated Teams: Deployments occur only when all teams are ready, mitigating risks.

Think of it like an airport: Planes (code) are fueled and ready to fly. But takeoff (deployment) happens only when the control tower confirms it is safe.

Why Leaders Should Notice

For CTOs and COOs navigating complex ERP landscapes, this experience underscores a vital insight: DevOps is not one-size-fits-all. Nihilent’s expertise shows that trying to automate everything in complex environments can cause problems. The real goal extends beyond speed; it’s about reliability, predictability, and smooth team coordination.

The Future of DevOps

As enterprises modernize, Nihilent foresees hybrid DevOps models becoming the norm. Success will favor organizations embracing flexibility, clear communication, and disciplined execution practices.

In complex ERP ecosystems, DevOps maturity is measured not by how fast you deploy but by how reliably your system operates, how well teams coordinate, and how confidently you introduce change without disrupting business.

By tailoring DevOps practices to the system, organization, and business context-as Nihilent does-leaders can transform complexity from a risk into an advantage.

Ready to Transform Your DevOps Journey?

At Nihilent, we help enterprises master the balance between automation and control, delivering seamless digital transformation in complex ERP environments.

Connect with us today to explore how our hybrid DevOps expertise can reduce your deployment risks and boost operational resilience.