Cloud computing has come a long way, evolving from a buzzword to revolutionising business operations and delivering seamless services to customers. Initially, it was a solution for scalable storage and computing resources, but it has now evolved to provide a far broader range of services that can help businesses perform more complex operations, and in turn, gain unparalleled flexibility, agility, and scalability.
While tapping cloud services is important for businesses, one of the best ways to optimise cloud computing is to automate digital workflows in the cloud to streamline operations and enhance productivity.
Achieving cloud-native excellence
JERA Global Market (JERA GM), a global energy trader, experienced the benefits of optimising digital workflows in the cloud when it journeyed from a hardcoded on-premise content management system (CMS) with limited flexibility to an automated, cloud-native one.
Previously, JERA GM’s service provider manually managed content changes, web updates, and application delivery for its corporate website, resulting in inefficiencies and incurring costs for each change and update. Recognising the need for automation and an improved workflow, JERA GM partnered with ST Engineering Cloud & Data Centre, a cloud migration and managed services provider, to automate processes and transition to an Azure cloud platform.
ST Engineering conducted discovery and assessment workshops with JERA GM’s UK-based technical team to derive data-driven insights and set the right tone for the project. With clear insights, ST Engineering designed, built, automated and operated an Azure cloud platform to host JERA GM’s website content management system (CMS) and handle their cloud usage subscription.
The cloud-based CMS platform leverages the scalability, flexibility, and accessibility of cloud technology to provide JERA GM with powerful tools to manage its content and workflows, automating and optimising its business processes, ultimately driving efficiency, agility, and innovation. The seven-week process included development and migration, user acceptance testing, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing.
By implementing a 100% cloud-native DevOps framework and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), JERA GM has significantly improved productivity and cost efficiency. Now that a third-party provider is no longer needed to implement updates manually, productivity has increased by 30%. In addition, by outsourcing their Day 2 cloud operations to ST Engineering, JERA GM has experienced a 50% reduction in manpower costs.
Some of the key benefits include:
- Automated website management: Automated website version updates and patching have eliminated manual intervention and reduced operational overhead. Automation has helped to ensure that JERA GM’s website remains up-to-date and secure, which has enhanced user experience and done away with the maintenance costs to update the website.
- Streamlined application delivery: By adopting continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices, JERA GM has automated application delivery, accelerating time-to-market and enhancing agility. This streamlined process enables JERA GM to respond rapidly to market demands and customer needs.
- Enhanced security and compliance: By leveraging industry best practices, JERA GM’s cloud-native platform now has automated security measures that mitigate risks and safeguard critical data.
- Scalability and availability: JERA GM’s cloud-native platform is highly scalable and available, capable of supporting business growth with minimal or no downtime. This scalability ensures seamless performance during peak demand periods and supports JERA GM’s business expansion initiatives.
- Improved operational efficiency and reduced costs: The automated DevOps solution simplifies Day 2 Managed Services Operations, enhancing operational efficiency and empowering JERA GM’s team to focus on strategic initiatives. With a reduced number of manual tasks, JERA GM’s team can prioritise customer communication and engagement, driving enhanced customer experiences.
Working with a trusted partner helps to empower organisations with end-to-end cloud and data services that deliver tangible business outcomes. We at ST Engineering can offer many benefits—from hosting cloud operations, streamlining business processes, and enhancing flexibility and scalability, to comprehensive data management and security solutions.
Cloud computing is a foundational element of modern business transformation. With optimised cloud and data services, organisations can expect to navigate complex digital landscapes, accelerate growth, and achieve competitive advantages.
Find out more: https://www.stengg.com/en/digital-tech/cloud-and-data-orchestration
