IT Infrastructure Modernization and Cloud Migration for Oil and Gas Company

The client had a variety of issues managing multiple, siloed portals that increased not only operational complexity, but also maintenance costs. The portals were hosted in different environments, leading to slower performance, less reliable systems, and challenges as business needs increased. 

Moreover, the client’s infrastructure database was running in Postgres stock version 10, which added limitations on indexing techniques, partitioning, and overall database performance. An upgrade was required for the client to take advantage of the indexing techniques, declarative partitioning, and availability features of version 12.

To future-proof their technology ecosystem, the client also emphasized the need for:

• A unified containerized environment for seamless portal management.
• CI/CD pipelines for automated and streamlined deployment of future updates.
• Optimized data storage solutions to replace their on-premises DMS with a more scalable and cost-efficient option.
• Cloud migration services to ensure their IT systems could scale efficiently, reduce downtime, and support a modern, digital-first business environment.
• Legacy system modernization to upgrade outdated IT infrastructure and improve overall operational efficiency.

Seaflux designed and executed a comprehensive migration and modernization strategy, enabling the client to consolidate, optimize, and scale their IT ecosystem.

1. Containerization with Azure Kubernetes & Docker
   
    
   • All portals were migrated into a containerized environment using Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and Docker.
   • This transition enabled a Docker microservices architecture, making the system more flexible, modular, and capable of supporting rapid updates and enhancements without affecting the entire ecosystem.
     
      
2. Database Modernization
   
    
   • The PostgreSQL database was successfully upgraded from version 10 to version 12 using Azure Database for PostgreSQL - Flexible Server.
   • This PostgreSQL database migration unlocked critical features such as B-Tree indexing and declarative partitioning, improving database efficiency and query performance.
   • The flexible server setup also provided multi-region availability, reducing the risk of downtime and enhancing disaster recovery capabilities.
     
      
3. CI/CD Pipeline Automation
   
    
   • The organization established a number of CI/CD pipeline automation processes in Azure DevOps to allow for easy automated future updates.
   • This setup allowed for fast development cycles, less manual work, and continuous integration and deployment with minimal errors.
     
      
4. Data Migration & Storage Optimization
   
    
   • The client’s Document Management System (DMS) was migrated from on-premises servers to Azure Blob Storage. 
   • This approach provided tiered storage (scale-up flexibly for high-performance workloads) and provides potential savings.

The solution provided by Seaflux provided quantifiable improvements across performance, costs, and operational efficiency:

• Reduced Risk of Downtime: Moving to containers (and Azure Database for PostgreSQL flexible server) significantly reduced the risk of downtime, enabling the company to conduct its business without interruption.
• Cost Reduction: By transitioning to a container-based architecture and migrating to Azure Blob storage, the client achieved a 21% reduction in all maintenance and operating costs. This was calculated across the different services and was amortized.
• Enhance Efficiency: By containerizing the client’s business value functions (communication, logistics, and operations), the client was now able to run with 19% more efficiency and not only improved their workflow, but also could react faster to customers.
• Future-Ready Architecture: Now, the client has a micro-services architecture, CI/CD, a new modern system database, scalable, reliable, and with automation to accommodate their new business requirements using advanced enterprise IT solutions, supporting full IT infrastructure modernization.