Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 4, 2026

Application-release automation

Application-release automation (ARA) refers to the process of packaging and deploying an application or update of an application from development, across various environments, and ultimately to production. ARA solutions must combine the abilities of deployment automation, environment management and modeling, and release coordination.

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Jul 4, 2026
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Application-release automation (ARA) refers to the process of packaging and deploying an application or update of an application from development, across various environments, and ultimately to production.1 ARA solutions must combine the abilities of deployment automation, environment management and modeling, and release coordination.2

Relationship with DevOps

ARA tools can help to cultivate DevOps best practices by providing a combination of automation, environment modeling and workflow-management capabilities. These practices help teams deliver software rapidly, reliably and responsibly. In particular, ARA can assist with continuous delivery. 3

Relationship with deployment

ARA deploys applications using structured release-automation techniques that can allow for increased visibility of deployed software.4 It combines workload automation and release-management tools as they relate to release packages, as well as movement through different environments within the DevOps pipeline.5 ARA tools help regulate deployments, environments, and releases.6

ARA Solutions

All ARA solutions must include capabilities in automation, environment modeling, and release coordination. Additionally, the solution must provide this functionality without reliance on other tools. 7

Solution Released by
BuildMaster Inedo
CA Release Automation and Automic CA Technologies
DeployHub OpenMake Software
Deployment Automation (formerly Serena Deployment Automation) Micro Focus
CloudBees Release Automation (formerly Electric Flow) CloudBees
Hybrid Cloud Management (Ultimate Edition) Micro Focus
IBM UrbanCode Deploy IBM
Puppet Enterprise Puppet
Release Lifecycle Management BMC Software
Visual Studio Release Management Microsoft
XL Deploy & XL Release XebiaLabs
References

References

  1. "Gartner IT Glossary: Application Release Automation (ARA)". Gartner. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  2. Application Release Automation Market Forecast (Report). Forrester. 2015.
  3. Garner Market Trends: DevOps – Not a Market, but Tool-Centric Philosophy That supports a Continuous Delivery Value Chain (Report). Gartner. 18 February 2015.
  4. Humble, Jez; Farley, David (2011). Continuous Delivery: reliable software releases through build, test, and deployment automation. Pearson Education Inc. p. 255-257. ISBN 978-0-321-60191-9.
  5. Market Overview: Application Release Automation Tools (Report). Forrester. 2015.
  6. Market Guide for Application Release Automation Solutions (Report). Gartner. 20 July 2015.
  7. Fletcher, Colin (1 August 2016). Critical Capabilities for Application Release Automation Solutions (Report). Gartner.