Federal agency uses AWS Cloud to meet modernization mandate

Challenge

In response to a federal mandate to divest from data centers and adopt a smart cloud policy, a large U.S. government agency sought to modernize its legacy technology by adopting cloud functionality. The agency hoped to achieve the following goals:

• Enhance capabilities
• Increase efficiencies
• Improve service reliability
• Set the stage for a platform as a service (PaaS) offering
• Minimize the maintenance associated with data center ownership
• Lower costs

With a large technology portfolio, the agency required a data center optimization strategy and a cloud strategy and migration plan. Further, it required analysis to determine which applications and assets were ready for cloud adoption.

 

Solution

Guidehouse worked with the agency to assess the on-premise portfolio for readiness to migrate to the cloud, developing a migration roadmap to move applications and assets, and guiding the agency in selecting a cloud provider. The agency selected the Amazon Web Services (AWS) PaaS solution based on its current needs and in preparation for a possible future multi-cloud implementation. Guidehouse implemented the following projects:

Cloud cost analysis — Guidehouse conducted a cost-benefit analysis to guide the agency’s decision on cloud migration versus continued investment in owning or leasing data centers. The team collaborated with AWS to develop a plan and roadmap that realized cost savings for the agency.

Data center optimization strategy — Guidehouse assessed the agency’s data center footprint, facilities, and IT assets being hosted in the data center. The team reviewed the agency’s readiness to move to the cloud, and developed alternatives for hosting 400 systems, including co-location, cloud, and data center consolidation.

Cloud strategy and migration planning — Guidehouse developed a cloud strategy and migration plan to move over 50 applications from the existing data center to AWS GovCloud. The team analyzed workloads for infrastructure supporting applications and determined the appropriate migration strategy for each one. A cloud architecture for a new AWS landing zone was developed leveraging the AWS 7R framework to determine what to move to the cloud, how, and when.

Migration to AWS — With the decision to shut down the data center and migrate operations to AWS GovCloud, Guidehouse worked closely with AWS Professional Services and AWS architects and engineers to assist with the cloud strategy and migration planning, ensuring a successful outcome.

 

Impact

The accelerated move to AWS helped the agency better manage workloads to meet shifting demands. It also created sustainable governance structures, including a Zero Trust component, that helped reduce compliance risk and adhere to federal mandates.

Additionally, the strategy and planning that led to the AWS platform enabled the agency to reduce its data center footprint, move applications to the cloud, and stand up a PaaS environment to provide scalable services to smaller business units that lacked the capability to pursue cloud deployments on their own. This approach improved scalability, resiliency, and introduced agility for future needs.

Guidehouse estimated potential cost savings of $20M per year through divestment from data centers and cloud adoption.

Guidehouse’s expertise and partnership with AWS helped the agency develop a strong plan to modernize its legacy technology, redeploy data center resources, take advantage of PaaS functionality, and improve capabilities and reliability with cloud operations.