Transforming Data Management for a Leading Manufacturer with AWS

Efficient data management is crucial for manufacturers looking to enhance operational efficiency, data security, and gain real-time insights. A global manufacturer in the construction equipment industry faced significant challenges in managing and securing large amounts of operational data across multiple sites. The company’s existing on-premises infrastructure was no longer adequate to handle its growing data needs, which led to security vulnerabilities, slow data access, and performance issues. To overcome these challenges and streamline its data management strategy, the manufacturer turned to AWS to modernize its infrastructure and improve data management and security across the enterprise.

The Challenge: Overcoming Legacy Infrastructure Limitations

The manufacturer’s legacy infrastructure, consisting of a Windows File Server, struggled to keep up with the increasing volume of operational and customer data. As the company expanded globally, it became clear that their existing systems could not handle the demands of a growing business. Data management and security were fragmented, making it difficult to maintain efficient and secure access across multiple locations. Additionally, the manufacturer faced challenges in centralizing identity management and providing secure access to critical data across its global operations. The company needed a solution that could scale, enhance performance, and provide centralized control over security and access to their data.

The Solution: A Scalable, Secure Data Management System on AWS

To address these challenges, the manufacturer implemented a modern data management solution powered by AWS. First, the company migrated its data to Amazon FSx for Windows File Server, replicating its existing file structure and ensuring compatibility with its legacy applications. This move to the cloud allowed the manufacturer to securely store large volumes of data while taking advantage of AWS’s scalable and highly available storage infrastructure. The data was transferred to AWS using AWS DataSync, which allowed for the secure and efficient transfer of over 8 terabytes of data over a Site-to-Site VPN connection, minimizing downtime during the migration process. This seamless transfer ensured that the manufacturer’s operations continued uninterrupted while migrating to AWS.

To further strengthen security and streamline access, the manufacturer integrated AWS Control Tower and IAM Identity Center for centralized identity and access management. These services provided robust security features, ensuring that only authorized personnel had access to sensitive data. The solution enabled the company to scale its infrastructure on-demand, without worrying about managing additional hardware or resources, and ensured that security and governance practices were maintained across the organization.

Key Outcomes and Business Impact

The implementation of this AWS-powered solution resulted in several key benefits. Data management was simplified, and the company was able to efficiently store and access its data across multiple locations. The integration of Amazon FSx for Windows File Server provided a centralized data storage solution that supported seamless access from various global sites. The use of AWS DataSync facilitated fast and secure data transfer, while AWS Control Tower and IAM Identity Center ensured that access to data remained secure, streamlined, and easy to manage. The result was an optimized and scalable infrastructure that could grow with the company’s needs.

The migration to AWS also significantly improved performance. The manufacturer saw a 60% reduction in data transfer times, allowing for faster access and analysis of critical data. The company experienced 99.9% uptime for its data storage and operations, ensuring that there were no disruptions to business operations. The integration of AWS IAM Identity Center provided Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities, making it easier for users to securely access data while centralizing identity management across the organization.

Measuring Success: Key Performance Metrics

The AWS-driven solution brought measurable success to the manufacturer. Data transfer times were reduced by 60%, enabling faster data access and improving decision-making capabilities. The company achieved 99.9% uptime, ensuring continuous access to critical business data. Security was enhanced through centralized access management using AWS IAM Identity Center, and 100% of users successfully transitioned to Single Sign-On (SSO), streamlining access and improving security across the organization. The solution’s ability to scale with the manufacturer’s needs allowed them to remain agile and prepared for future growth.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis

By adopting AWS, the manufacturer reduced its reliance on costly on-premises infrastructure, resulting in significant cost savings. The pay-as-you-go pricing model of AWS allowed the company to only pay for the resources they used, ensuring cost efficiency as they scaled their operations. Amazon FSx for Windows File Server and AWS DataSync streamlined data management and transfer, reducing the operational overhead associated with on-premises hardware. The scalability of the AWS infrastructure allowed the manufacturer to efficiently manage increasing data volumes without incurring unnecessary costs, while ensuring that performance remained high.

Lessons Learned and Future Outlook

This AWS-powered solution not only addressed the immediate challenges faced by the manufacturer but also positioned them for future growth. The implementation of Amazon FSx for Windows File Server and AWS DataSync demonstrated the power of cloud solutions in overcoming infrastructure limitations and enabling scalability. The centralized security management provided by AWS IAM Identity Center ensured that data remained secure while simplifying access for users. By adopting AWS, the manufacturer has future-proofed its data management infrastructure and is now better positioned to meet the demands of its growing business. The company plans to continue leveraging AWS’s cloud-native solutions to innovate and enhance its operations further, ensuring long-term success in a rapidly changing market.