Kubernetes Ecosystem Updates: KCSPs, CKA, and KubeCon

- Ancestry.com currently holds 20 billion historical records and 90 million family trees, making it the largest consumer genomics DNA network in the world. With the move to Kubernetes, its deployment time for its Shaky Leaf icon service was [cut down from 50 minutes to 2 or 5 minutes](https://kubernetes.io/case-studies/ancestry/). - Wink, provider of smart home devices and apps, runs [80 percent of its workloads on a unified stack of Kubernetes-Docker-CoreOS](https://kubernetes.io/case-studies/wink/), allowing them to continually innovate and improve its products and services. - Pear Deck, a teacher communication app for students, ported their Heroku apps into Kubernetes, allowing them to deploy the exact same configuration in [lots of different clusters in 30 seconds](https://kubernetes.io/case-studies/peardeck/). - Buffer, social media management for agencies and marketers, has a remote team of 80 spread across a dozen different time zones. Kubernetes has provided the kind of [liquid infrastructure](https://kubernetes.io/case-studies/buffer/) where a developer could create an app and deploy it and scale it horizontally as necessary. Is Kubernetes helping your team? [Share your story](https://docs.google.com/a/google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuI7Ye3VQHQTwBASrgkjQDSS5TP0g3AXfFhwSM9YpHgxRKFA/viewform) with the community. ## Ecosystem updates Announced on September 11, [Kubernetes Certified Service Providers](https://www.cncf.io/certification/kcsp/) (KCSPs) are pre-qualified [organizations](https://kubernetes.io/partners/#kcsp) with deep experience helping enterprises successfully adopt Kubernetes. Individual professionals can now [register](https://www.cncf.io/certification/expert/) for the new Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) program and exam, which requires passing an online, proctored, performance-based exam that tests one’s ability to solve multiple issues in a hands-on, command-line environment. CNCF also offers [online training](https://www.cncf.io/certification/training/) that teaches the skills needed to create and configure a real-world Kubernetes cluster. ## KubeCon Join the community at [KubeCon + CloudNativeCon](http://events.linuxfoundation.org/events/cloudnativecon-and-kubecon-north-america) in Austin, December 6-8 for the largest Kubernetes gathering ever. The premiere Kubernetes event will feature technical sessions, case studies, developer deep dives, salons and more! A full schedule of events and speakers will be available [here](http://events.linuxfoundation.org/events/kubecon-and-cloudnativecon-north-america/program/schedule) on September 28. Discounted [registration](https://www.regonline.com/registration/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1903774&_ga=2.224109086.464556664.1498490094-1623727562.1496428006) ends October 6.

Several companies have been seeing improvements using Kubernetes, including Ancestry.com, Wink, Pear Deck and Buffer. The Kubernetes community is encouraging users to share their stories. Ecosystem updates include the introduction of Kubernetes Certified Service Providers (KCSPs) and the Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) program. KubeCon + CloudNativeCon is scheduled for December 6-8 in Austin, featuring technical sessions and case studies.