Migrating Teradata to Azure Cloud

Migrating from Teradata to Azure Cloud Check. TeamValue helped LMN, Loyalty Management Netherlands, migrate the data warehouse to the Azure Cloud. The result? No more dependency, a significant cost reduction, 360 degrees of insight, the ability to make data-driven decisions faster and, above all, more speed and convenience in setting up and managing large campaigns. We discussed the migration to the Cloud and the way there with Xander Kuiper, Cloud Data Architect at TeamValue.

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Cloud migration results

The migration to the Azure Cloud. A transformation with enormous business value for LMN and its affiliated partners. This makes it easier for LMN to offer better campaigns to their partners. In addition, the business impact consists of:

1. A new architecture based on Azure Datalake
2. A 66% cost reduction
3. No more dependence on Teradata specialists
4. Productivity of the Data Analytics & Science team increased by a factor of 10
5. 360 degree customer insight
6. Governance is invested in the entire process

At the beginning of 2020, our colleague Xander Kuiper was flown in as A.I.Tech Lead at LMN. It started with restructuring the data warehouse. A new vision of the use of data and its organization quickly emerged. With the conclusion that LMN's current systems were not sufficiently in line with the organization's ambitions. Xander: “If you, as an organization, want to know your customers better and set up more effective campaigns, it is important to organize processes logically, shorten where possible, and set up scalable processes.”

Based on current systems, this was not the case. The databases had too many dependencies, the architecture would not be able to organize processes efficiently, and new ETL processes - processes for collecting and merging data - were continuously being set up. Above all, LMN had enormous costs by hiring highly specialized and scarce Teradata experts.

Xander Kuiper: “Processes had to be different, smarter. That's why I advised LMN to develop a new data warehouse in the Cloud. For more structure, agility and flexibility.”

Able to drive data in a driven manner.

We started the migration to the Azure Cloud. An exciting moment for the team, asking for a new mindset. A challenge, but not impossible. Xander: “It is precisely in these types of processes that we coach and guide the team to reach that dot on the horizon together. Even if some steps are sometimes just as difficult or challenging. Our consultants will help you with that. We create the right mindset, increase ownership and implement the DevOps way of working. This was also the case with LMN. From a clear vision: 'the saver should be at the helm of their own data', we had a clear starting point as a team.

Every choice in this process was challenged. Is this the right choice, does it contribute to the higher goal and does it make the end goal successful? We taught the team to look further ahead and to let go of short-term solutions. It was all about the end product. A well-functioning data warehouse in the Azure Cloud that every department can count on.”

Xander Kuiper: “Every choice we make, we challenge the higher goal.”

Migrate to Azure Cloud step by step

Instead of taking up the entire data warehouse and migrating to the Azure Cloud, we rolled out the data warehouse step by step. Xander: “Why? Because we think it's important to deliver value to our customers. We do not believe in a migration where we put the application - “Lift and Shift” - in the Cloud all at once. We also compare it to “old wine in new bags”. Many companies opt for this method only after which they will optimize the application in the Cloud. Everything that doesn't fit at that moment is parked in a figurative “dinosaur park”. What we see happening is that migrations are coming under pressure in terms of resilience, scalability and costs and that cheap and scalable services from the Cloud are not being used due to a lack of knowledge. This way, migrations cost tons of money and the final result does not outweigh the costs.”

Xander Kuiper: “You have to build what you need. Don't rebuild what's already been created.”

That's why we migrated the LMN 'Go-Native' data warehouse — step by step — to the Cloud. Combined with our own way of work 'The Golden Path', we made every choice cross the value axis, so we have developed software that really adds value. “One of the principles of our way of work is to start migrating the most valuable part to the Azure Cloud, so that we can deliver immediate value to the organization and stakeholders gain confidence in the project. In addition, it offers clear tools for the team, because you have to build what is necessary. Don't rebuild what's already been created.”

Xander: “Technically, the implementation could have been faster, but by consciously putting time into the team's work processes, the project really became successful.

Business impact

The migration has brought many benefits to LMN, including lower costs on license management. By migrating step by step to the Azure Cloud, LMN requires far fewer licenses, allowing them to save on license management. They were then able to use the savings for the further development of the savings program.

Lydia de Haan, director of data & analytics Airmiles: “The quality of the consultants is incredibly high. Thanks to TeamValue Group B.V.'s approach, we were able to take the right steps much faster to make data-driven decisions. The level is so incredibly high that it is sometimes even a bit scary. How will we ensure internally - when TeamValue is gone - that this level remains maintained. I am glad that TeamValue sees and understands this and wants to help us with this. This is how we ensure that the value is maintained.”

Sparring once?

Do you have a challenge in the field of Business Intelligence, migration to the Cloud or at the cutting edge of it? So, do you need help with that? Let's have a free chat. From benefits, risks to determining the dot on the horizon. We would love to help you.

‍Get in touch with Hans Borkent
[email protected]
+31 (0) 646 00 31 71