Environments
Software environments allow new features to be developed, tested, and deployed safely – in a structured way.
For developers: part of daily work.
For project leads: a planning tool.
For businesses: protection against failure.
And for us: a key element of professional software operations.
The most important environments at a glance
Development (Dev)
The environment for active development – local setups, containers, or isolated cloud systems.
Not intended for QA or client testing.
PPO – Pre-Production Ops
The final stop before going live – technically identical to production, but not publicly accessible.
Typical use cases:
- Client acceptance
- End-to-end testing
- Quality assurance on production-like infrastructure
PPO means: test under realistic conditions – without the risk.
Staging
Often used synonymously with PPO – but serves a different purpose:
- Presentations
- Content approval
- Feedback rounds with stakeholders
In agencies, it's often referred to as a “showcase” – filled with real content, but no real users.
PO – Production Ops
The live production environment – with real data, users, and SLAs.
Here, the rules are strict:
- No trial & error
- Every change is tested, documented, and reviewed
- Monitoring & backups are mandatory
PO is where it counts.
Why multiple environments?
Multiple environments provide:
- Safety – catch issues early
- Trust – releases are prepared with care
- Speed – teams can work in parallel
- Transparency – for stakeholders and users
A clean transition from Dev to PPO to PO reduces stress, mistakes, and uncertainty – for everyone involved.
How we handle environments at RiKuWe
We build and run multi-environment setups – tailored and reliable:
- PPO and PO are technically identical, but logically separated
- Automated deployments for fast releases and testing
- Access control via VPN, firewall, and custom domains
- Documented processes for releases, rollbacks, and monitoring
Whether it’s one environment or ten per tenant – we ensure clarity, stability, and security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is PPO?
PPO stands for Pre-Production Ops – a near-production environment used for testing, approval, and QA. It’s technically identical to production, but without real users.
Why do I need staging in addition to PPO?
Staging is typically used for internal approvals, content checks, or presentations. PPO is designed for technical testing under real conditions.
How many environments do I need?
It depends on the project. Three environments are common: Dev, PPO, and PO. Agencies often add a showcase; security-critical systems may include an extra test environment.
What’s the technical difference between PPO and PO?
They’re identical in setup and infrastructure. The difference is in access, data, and risk. PPO is protected and non-public – designed to prevent issues before going live.
What if an error only appears in production?
That points to a gap in testing. A solid PPO setup, automated testing, and structured deployments reduce the chance of problems making it to production.
