UK-based global retailer with growing digital ambitions, legacy infrastructure was becoming a barrier to progress. By partnering with Cloud Direct, the organisation replatformed its core systems into Azure, unlocking the scalability, resilience and flexibility needed to support a modern business.
The Challenge
A well-established retail organisation with an international footprint and over 3000 employees was facing increasing pressure to modernise its technology estate.
At the heart of the challenge was an ageing and expansive on-premises SQL environment consisting of approximately 25 Windows 2019 Servers, hosting 275 SQL 2017 databases. This had become difficult to manage, costly to maintain, and limited in its ability to scale. As the business expanded across multiple markets and channels, the strain on its infrastructure became more pronounced. Systems struggled to keep pace with demand, and performance constraints began to impact both internal operations and the wider customer experience.
The organisation’s workforce relied heavily on consistent, high-uptime access to systems to support sales, operations and customer interactions. Any disruption or slowdown had a direct impact on productivity and service delivery.
At the same time, the business had clear ambitions to adopt a more cloud-first operating model. This included strengthening security, improving resilience, and enabling greater innovation through cloud-native technologies and AI. However, the limitations of the existing estate meant that progressing towards these goals was challenging.
Recognising the need for change, the organisation sought a trusted partner to guide a transition to Azure. One that would not only modernise core infrastructure, but also create a strong foundation for future growth.
The Solution
Cloud Direct worked closely with the organisation and Microsoft to deliver a structured, multi-phase Azure migration programme designed to minimise disruption while maximising long-term value.
The engagement began with the design and implementation of a secure Azure Landing Zone. Built in line with Microsoft best practices, this provided a governed, enterprise-grade foundation that would support the organisation’s migration and future cloud strategy. Key considerations included security, backup, governance and cost management, ensuring the platform was both resilient and scalable from day one.
With this foundation in place, Cloud Direct executed a phased migration of the organisation’s on-premises SQL estate into Azure, utilising Azure SQL Managed Instances as the cloud-first SQL platform. This approach enabled the team to modernise critical workloads while maintaining continuity for the business.
The programme was designed to be both practical and forward-looking, focusing not only on migrating existing systems but also on positioning the organisation for ongoing innovation. Close collaboration with Microsoft and the use of funding support helped accelerate delivery and reduce barriers to change.
The solution focused on:
- Establishing a secure, governed Azure foundation: Creating a robust Landing Zone aligned to best practice
- Modernising the SQL estate: Transitioning legacy databases into scalable, cloud-native services
- Enabling flexibility and resilience: Supporting consistent performance across global operations
By combining technical expertise with a pragmatic delivery approach, Cloud Direct ensured a smooth transition to Azure while setting the stage for future transformation.
The Outcome
The move to Azure has transformed the organisation’s ability to operate at scale, providing a modern, resilient platform that supports both day-to-day operations and long-term strategic goals.
With its SQL estate successfully migrated, the business now benefits from improved performance, enhanced resilience and significantly reduced reliance on legacy infrastructure. Systems are more responsive, easier to manage, and better equipped to handle fluctuations in demand.
The new Azure foundation has also improved consistency across locations, giving employees reliable access to the systems they depend on, regardless of where they are working. This has supported both operational efficiency and a more seamless experience for customers.
Beyond immediate improvements, the organisation is now positioned to move forward with confidence. With a secure, scalable platform in place, it has a clear path towards further cloud-native innovation, including the adoption of advanced data capabilities and AI-driven services.
Key outcomes include:
- Greater agility through a scalable, cloud-native platform
- Improved system performance and resilience across global operations
- Reduced operational complexity and overhead associated with legacy infrastructure
- A strong foundation for future innovation, including AI and advanced analytics
This transformation has enabled the organisation to move beyond the constraints of its legacy systems and embrace a more flexible, forward-looking approach to technology. With Azure at its core, the business is now well placed to continue evolving.
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