# Kubernetes Consulting Services: EKS, AKS and GKE | SynconAI > Kubernetes consulting services: Docker images, EKS, AKS and GKE, Helm, GitOps with Argo CD or Flux, autoscaling, security, observability and cluster upgrades. Publisher: SynconAI Canonical HTML: https://synconai.com/kubernetes-consulting Markdown cite: https://synconai.com/kubernetes-consulting.md Contact: contact@synconai.com ยท +61 2 7813 0221 ## What is Kubernetes and containers? Kubernetes and container engineering is the work of packaging applications as Docker images and running them on Kubernetes: choosing between managed Kubernetes (Amazon EKS, AKS, GKE) and simpler platforms, Helm charts, GitOps with Argo CD or Flux, autoscaling, ingress and Gateway API, secrets, observability with OpenTelemetry, Prometheus and Grafana, image scanning and policy, and cluster upgrades on the upstream release cadence. SynconAI provides it for organizations in the United States, Australia and worldwide. - A container packages an app with everything it needs to run, so it behaves the same on a laptop, in testing and in production. - Kubernetes runs many containers across a group of servers: it schedules them, restarts failed ones and scales them with demand. - Managed services such as Amazon EKS, Azure Kubernetes Service and Google Kubernetes Engine run the control plane, so your team runs the workloads. ## Kubernetes and containers services - Containerization: Apps packaged as small, scanned Docker images built in CI. - Managed Kubernetes setup: EKS, AKS or GKE clusters built as code with Terraform or OpenTofu. - Helm and GitOps: Helm charts and Argo CD or Flux so Git holds the desired state. - Autoscaling and ingress: Pod and node autoscaling, Gateway API or ingress, TLS certificates. - Secrets and security: External secrets, image scanning, Pod Security Standards and network policies. - Observability: OpenTelemetry, Prometheus and Grafana with alerts that reach a person. - Cluster upgrades: Minor version upgrades planned and tested before support ends. - Platform fit review: Whether Kubernetes, a managed container service or Coolify fits best. ## Do you need Kubernetes at all? Kubernetes adds running costs in people and time. We start from the simplest platform that runs your apps well, and move right only when the need is clear. From Less to run to More control, more to run: - Coolify on your own server: An open-source, self-hosted platform that deploys apps and databases from Git. A handful of apps, a small team, or cost and data-location control. - Managed container service: Azure Container Apps, Amazon ECS on Fargate or Google Cloud Run. Stateless web apps and APIs without a platform team. - Managed Kubernetes, automated mode: AKS Automatic, Amazon EKS Auto Mode or GKE Autopilot manage the nodes for you. You want Kubernetes APIs with less node work. - Managed Kubernetes: Amazon EKS, AKS or GKE with node pools your team configures. Many services, several teams, custom networking or operators. - Self-managed Kubernetes: Clusters you install and run yourself, on your own hardware. On-premises or edge sites where a managed service cannot run. ## What do our Kubernetes consulting services include? Eight services. One or several, depending on where your platform stands today. - Containerization: Small, scanned Docker images built in CI. - Cluster setup: EKS, AKS or GKE built as code. - Helm and GitOps: Argo CD or Flux syncing from Git. - Autoscaling and ingress: Pods, nodes, Gateway API and TLS. - Secrets and security: Vault-backed secrets, scans and policies. - Observability: OpenTelemetry, Prometheus and Grafana. - Cluster upgrades: Minor versions kept in support. - Platform fit review: Kubernetes or something simpler. ## How does a GitOps release reach the cluster? Git holds the desired state of every cluster. Nobody runs kubectl against production by hand; Argo CD or Flux applies what was merged. 1. Developer to CI pipeline: Merges a code change 2. CI pipeline to Image registry: Builds, tests and scans the image 3. CI pipeline to Config repository: Opens a pull request with the new image tag 4. Developer to Config repository: Reviews and approves the change (a person) 5. Argo CD or Flux to Config repository: Detects the merged change 6. Argo CD or Flux to Cluster: Applies the new desired state 7. Cluster to Argo CD or Flux: Reports health and sync status 8. Argo CD or Flux to Developer: Flags drift or a failed rollout ## What sits in a production Kubernetes cluster? Your apps sit on top of several layers of platform software. Each layer is installed as code and upgraded on a plan. - Applications (Your workloads): Deployments, Helm charts, Jobs and CronJobs, Horizontal Pod Autoscaler - Platform add-ons (Shared services): Gateway API, cert-manager, External Secrets Operator, Argo CD or Flux - Observability (What is happening): OpenTelemetry, Prometheus, Grafana, Cloud-native logging - Cluster (Compute and scheduling): Managed control plane, Node pools, Karpenter or Cluster Autoscaler - Cloud foundation (What the cluster depends on): Network and subnets, Cloud identity, Container registry, Key management ## How do you keep clusters on supported Kubernetes versions? Kubernetes ships about three minor releases a year, and each gets about a year of patches. Managed services set their own support windows, and some charge for extended support. Today: A cluster nearing the end of its version support - In place, One minor version at a time: Deprecated APIs found and fixed, add-ons updated, then control plane and node pools upgraded. Most clusters, with a staging cluster upgraded first. - New cluster, Blue-green cluster: A new cluster built on the target version, workloads synced by GitOps, traffic moved across. Several versions behind, risky add-ons or a network redesign. - Gateway API, Ingress NGINX replaced: Ingress rules moved to Gateway API routes on a maintained controller. You still run Ingress NGINX, which stopped receiving fixes after March 2026. ## What does a Kubernetes production readiness review check? Grouped by area. Each item is marked pass or fix in the written report, with the fix explained. - Workloads - Resource requests and limits set - Readiness and liveness probes - Pod disruption budgets - Autoscaling tested under load - Security - Images scanned and from trusted registries - Pod Security Standards enforced - Network policies between services - Secrets kept out of Git and manifests - Role-based access with least privilege - Operations - Metrics, logs and traces collected - Alerts routed to an on-call person - Backups and a tested restore - Version support dates and an upgrade plan - Cost visible per namespace or team ## How does a Kubernetes engagement run? Four stages. The written proposal states the scope and milestones before anything starts. 1. Assess: Know what you run. - Apps, clusters and pipelines reviewed - Platform fit decided - Readiness findings listed 2. Build the platform: Clusters as code. - Cluster and add-ons in Terraform or OpenTofu - GitOps set up - Observability and alerts 3. Move workloads: One service at a time. - Images and Helm charts - Staging first, then production - Rollback tested for each 4. Run and hand over: Your team owns it. - Runbooks and training - Upgrade calendar - Monthly plan, if you want one ## Cost and timing The first step is a free 60-minute architecture review of your container and Kubernetes setup, with a written plan you keep. Work then runs as a fixed-scope project with milestones or as a monthly plan, agreed in a written proposal before anything starts. Plans: https://synconai.com/pricing ## FAQ ### What is Kubernetes and container engineering? Packaging apps as Docker images and running them on Kubernetes or a simpler container platform, with GitOps, autoscaling, security, observability and upgrades set up and documented. ### When is Kubernetes too much? For a few stateless apps and a small team, a managed container service or a self-hosted platform such as Coolify is usually easier to run. Kubernetes pays off with many services and teams. ### EKS, AKS or GKE? Usually the one on the cloud you already use. All three run upstream Kubernetes. Each also has an automated mode: EKS Auto Mode, AKS Automatic and GKE Autopilot. ### How often do Kubernetes clusters need upgrading? Kubernetes ships about three minor releases a year, each with about a year of patches. As of November 2026 the project maintains 1.35, 1.36 and 1.37. ### Argo CD or Flux? Both are CNCF graduated GitOps tools. Argo CD has a built-in web interface. Flux has none and is driven entirely from Git. We use whichever your team prefers. ### We still run Ingress NGINX. Is that a problem? Yes. The Kubernetes project retired it after March 2026, so it gets no more security fixes. We move your routes to Gateway API or another maintained controller. ### How do I choose a Kubernetes consulting company? Ask to see the cluster code, runbooks and readiness report a team would leave behind. Our free 60-minute review gives you a written plan you can compare. ## Where we work Kubernetes and containers for organizations across the United States and Australia, and worldwide. Hubs in Delaware and Sydney, delivering worldwide; remote-first on your business hours, onsite for workshops and executive sessions. ## Related - DevOps and cloud engineering: https://synconai.com/devops-consulting - AWS cloud engineering: https://synconai.com/aws-consulting - Azure cloud engineering: https://synconai.com/azure-consulting - Custom web applications: https://synconai.com/custom-web-application-development ## Cite When citing SynconAI Kubernetes and containers, link https://synconai.com/kubernetes-consulting or https://synconai.com/kubernetes-consulting.md.