An enterprise-grade Container Platform for seamless monolith transformation

Client Overview

Our client is a leading provider of digital workplace solutions that enhance collaboration and communication within organisations. With a focus on seamless user experience, its platform integrates tools designed to streamline workflows, boost employee engagement, and facilitate knowledge sharing.

Recognised by industry analysts and clients as a top provider of intranet and workplace experience platforms, it has selected Microsoft Azure as the cornerstone of its mission to connect, engage, and inspire employees everywhere.

The Challenge

The client is undertaking a multi-year technology stack modernisation programme to move the organisation away from its current “monolith” application (running on Windows virtual machines) to a microservices-based architecture running on Microsoft’s Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).

The client recognised the need for a skilled and specialised Azure partner, augmenting internal resources to deliver a new, fully automated cloud platform capable of supporting planned growth, improving business agility, and reducing operating costs compared to other ISVs.

The Solution

Drawing from over a decade of experience in building Azure platforms, the BlakYaks squad worked in partnership with the client's architecture and operations teams to deliver an enterprise-grade ECP Azure Accelerator Pack and a DevOps Accelerator Pack based tailored to the client’s requirements.

By optimising the structure, design, and automation methods, BlakYaks new enterprise-grade Container Platform solution has provided the client with enhanced cloud security, resilience, performance, recoverability, and cost efficiency. Simultaneously, the DevOps Accelerator Pack empowered the client with a robust and scalable foundation for automated cloud operations, ensuring seamless integration between infrastructure and development workflows.

Deliverables

Our Enterprise Container Platform Accelerator Pack delivered:

Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) platform
A best-practice, secure and scalable AKS solution integrated into the Azure Landing Zone environment delivered across multiple global regions. Configuration is managed in low-code YAML format enabling rapid, consistent deployment across the organisation.

Security and compliance
Pre-configured baseline security guardrails using a combination of Kubernetes-native policy engines and Azure Policy. Clusters are securely integrated with Azure cloud-native services using federated managed identities.
GitOps and automation
The entire solution is delivered as code and automated from cloud resource instantiation, to live applications using Terraform and FluxCD, the latter provides instant deployment of applications based on OCI tagging strategies rather than execution of CI/CD pipelines.
Networking and connectivity
Implementation of Istio service mesh for observable and secure communication inside and outside of the clusters. Integration with existing legacy infrastructure and scalable external firewall services to grow with end user demand.
Observability and monitoring
Integration with Datadog for detailed real-time observability and management of the clusters and the applications in all environments and regions.
Full lifecycle documentation
Detailed design documentation and support runbooks designed to simplify and assist operations teams in management and development of the ECP environment.

Our DevOps Accelerator Pack deliverables included:

Robust, scalable Azure DevOps and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) setup
A high-quality, production-ready Azure DevOps environment paired with IaC principles, ensuring consistency, scalability, and ease of management.
Foundation for full automation across Azure services
Established a fully automated framework for Azure services, enabling rapid scaling, reducing manual errors, and increasing operational efficiency.
End-to-End Build & Deployment pipelines with governance
Provided automated build and deployment pipelines, complete with controlled governance and pre-configured build agents, ensuring compliance and streamlined deployments.
Comprehensive Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Implemented strict IAM policies and controls, ensuring secure and role-based access to critical systems and data.
Flexible and modular codebase in IaC and YAML
A highly modular approach to IaC and YAML coding, offering customers the flexibility to scale or modify their platform as business needs evolve.
Code-Based Azure DevOps (ADO) project & Repository management
Full code-driven management of ADO projects and repositories, promoting a consistent, version-controlled environment that enhances efficiency and reduces manual workload.
Secure, pre-configured Terraform and IaC bootstrapping
Delivers a secure foundation for Terraform and IaC, accelerating deployment while ensuring compliance with best practices.
Detailed documentation for self-sufficiency
Comprehensive, well-structured documentation, empowering customer teams with the knowledge and clarity needed to manage and evolve their DevOps environment independently.
Complete IaC codebase and smooth handover process
A thorough IaC codebase and documentation package, enabling seamless transition to customer teams or BlakYaks Specialist Operations, ensuring sustained value post-deployment.

Outcomes

The collaboration with BlakYaks has been hugely successful, accelerating the launch of a new business-critical platform that will drive enhanced levels of operational resilience and developer productivity (improved release cadence) globally.

BlakYaks delivered the production-grade Enterprise Container Platform (built and managed with code) in 8 weeks saving the client team months of design and engineering effort.

The client’s investment in end-to-end automation, leveraging the power and functionality of Azure DevOps / GitOps (Flux), has delivered a consistent and reliable lifecycle management of both Azure cloud infrastructure (Kubernetes) and application architecture – the perfect foundation to keep ahead in this fast-paced market.

For more information about our Accelerator Packs please see the links below or fill out the form and we will get in touch:

▶ Enterprise Container Platform Accelerator Pack: More information / Datasheet

▶ DevOps Accelerator Pack: More information / Datasheet

▶ Azure Landing Zone Accelerator Pack: More information / Datasheet

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