Background:
A leading manufacturer has partnered with Opensys to embark on a cloud migration journey leveraging Google Cloud’s services. The company faced the challenge of double cost issues, as they needed to maintain their existing on-premises infrastructure while adopting cloud services. OpenSys helped the company migrate workloads to the cloud and optimize costs. The company was able to achieve scalability, agility, and cost savings after migrating to the cloud successfully. They have also experienced improved customer support due to cloud scalability and agility. This successful cloud migration enabled them to reduce operational costs significantly.
Challenges:
1. Legacy Systems: The client relied on legacy systems that were not compatible with the public cloud. These systems were critical for their daily operations and required careful consideration during the migration process.
2. Specialized Hardware: The company had invested significantly in specialized hardware for certain manufacturing processes, making it challenging to replicate the same capabilities in the cloud.
3. Compliance Requirements: The client operated in a highly regulated industry with stringent data security and compliance requirements, some of which mandate on-premises data storage.
Strategy and Solution:
The client, in collaboration with OpenSys, formulated a comprehensive cloud migration strategy to address the challenges and mitigate the double cost issue. The following technical approach was adopted:
1. Hybrid Cloud Architecture: To balance on-premises and cloud environments, OpenSys implemented a hybrid cloud architecture. OpenSys worked closely with the client to design an architecture that seamlessly integrated their existing infrastructure with Google Cloud services. This was done by leveraging OpenSys’ expertise in cloud integration and management. The result was a secure and reliable cloud architecture that was optimized for the client’s needs. OpenSys was able to deliver a comprehensive solution that gave the client the best of both worlds. The hybrid cloud architecture allowed the client to benefit from the scalability and cost-effectiveness of the cloud, while still leveraging the control and security of their on-premises environment.
2. Lift and Shift with Google Cloud Migration Tools: Opensys utilized an implementation partner to perform a lift-and-shift migration for applications that couldn’t be easily refactored. They ensured a smooth transition by leveraging tools like Velostrata, which helped migrate virtual machines to Google Compute Engine with minimal downtime.
3. Serverless and Managed Services Adoption: OpenSys collaborated with the client to identify applications that could benefit from serverless and managed services on Google Cloud. Along with an implementation partner, OpenSys refactored these applications to utilize Google Cloud’s offerings like Cloud Functions, Cloud SQL, and BigQuery. This approach enabled them to reduce operational overhead and take advantage of auto-scaling, cost optimization, and managed infrastructure.
4. Data Management and Compliance: Opensys, in coordination with the client, implemented robust data management solutions on Google Cloud to meet compliance requirements. They leveraged tools like Google Cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Google Cloud Key Management Service (KMS) to ensure sensitive data remained protected, both in transit and at rest. They also utilized Google Cloud Storage for secure storage and archival of data, adhering to regulatory guidelines.
Results and Benefits:
Through collaboration with Opensys, the client achieved a successful migration with controlled costs, optimizing the double-cost issue. The following benefits were realized:
1. Optimized On-Premises and Cloud Costs: Opensys worked closely with the client to assess their on-premises infrastructure and determine the optimal balance between on-premises and cloud resources. By strategically moving certain workloads to the cloud while retaining critical systems on-premises, the company achieved cost optimization. They minimized the expenses associated with maintaining legacy systems and specialized hardware while leveraging Google Cloud’s cost-effective services and pay-as-you-go model.
2. Scalability and Flexibility: With Opensys’ guidance and Google Cloud’s elastic infrastructure, the client gained the ability to scale resources up or down based on demand. This enabled them to optimize costs by provisioning the appropriate resources when needed, avoiding unnecessary expenses. They achieved greater agility in responding to market fluctuations and business requirements.
3. Improved Performance and Operational Efficiency: By migrating to Google Cloud and leveraging Opensys’ expertise, the client experienced enhanced application performance and operational efficiency. They benefitted from Google Cloud’s scalability and managed services, enabling faster processing times, reduced latency, and increased productivity. Opensys ensured seamless integration of cloud-native capabilities, enabling optimization of workflows and improving overall efficiency.
4. Enhanced Security and Compliance: Opensys implemented robust security measures on Google Cloud. By utilizing Google Cloud’s advanced security features, such as identity and access management, data encryption, and compliance certifications, they achieved a heightened level of data protection. Opensys ensured sensitive data was secure both on-premises and in the cloud, meeting stringent compliance requirements.
5. Strategic IT Investment: With Opensys’ guidance, the client made a number of IT investments that aligned with their long-term goals. They optimized their IT expenditure by leveraging cloud services for workloads that benefitted the most from scalability and flexibility. In addition, they maintained critical systems on-premises. This strategic approach enabled the company to maximize IT investment returns while minimizing unnecessary costs.
Conclusion: The client’s successful migration to Google Cloud, with assistance from Opensys, showcased the ability to optimize the double cost issue associated with on-premises and cloud infrastructure. By strategically balancing on-premises and cloud resources, ABC Manufacturing achieved cost optimization while benefiting from Google Cloud’s scalability, performance, security, and compliance advantages. Collaborating with Opensys empowered them to make informed decisions and leverage cloud technology, resulting in improved operational efficiency and strategic IT investment. This case study highlights the importance of a well-executed cloud migration strategy and the value of a knowledgeable Systems Integrator like Opensys in achieving optimal cost management and overall success.
