Perforce Software CEO Jim Cassens dives into how the company’s overall approach to DevOps is evolving in the wake of a series of acquisitions.
Cassens talks through the company’s recent spate of acquisitions and how thoughtful integration—not just portfolio expansion—is driving value for customers. He also highlights the growing role of synthetic data, AI-enhanced testing and how automation is shifting the responsibilities of development teams.
A recurring theme is how generative AI is disrupting—not replacing—traditional developer roles. Cassens sees AI as a force multiplier, taking on repetitive, low-level tasks while freeing developers to focus on higher-order problems. But with that shift comes a challenge: How do early-career engineers gain the hands-on experience they need when entry-level work is being automated? That’s a question Cassens believes employers, not just universities, will need to answer.
They also delve into the pressure DevOps teams face as pipelines become more brittle and overloaded. Cassens warns that the current approach to automation and scripting isn’t sustainable in a world where AI can flood pipelines with code at unprecedented volume. Organizations will need to rethink how they structure CI/CD, data management, and even pipeline observability.
Finally, Cassens touches on the human element behind every digital transformation. As leaders weigh new tools and AI-powered workflows, he advises them to consider the fear and uncertainty many team members may be feeling—and to support them through education and open communication. The DevOps landscape may be changing fast, but people, not just platforms, will determine how successful the transition is.
