From On-Prem to Azure: A Journey to the Cloud
Achieving Scalability and Security through Cloud Migration
About
A leading provider in the aviation industry, offering maintenance programs, parts & leasing, software, advisory services, and aviation capital, sought to modernize and take full control of their IT infrastructure by migrating to Microsoft Azure. With a rapidly approaching deadline and a desire to enhance scalability, security, and cost efficiency, the company turned to HSO for guidance.
Challenge
The company faced an urgent need to transition from their existing hosting provider to Azure before their contract expired. This aggressive timeline—just a few weeks—required a swift, seamless migration to avoid service disruptions and ensure operational continuity. Beyond the immediate need to exit their hosting contract, the company wanted to gain direct control over their cloud infrastructure, improve cost efficiency, and lay the foundation for a broader enterprise data strategy.
Solution
The company initially engaged with HSO to explore a CRM replacement. Although they ultimately chose to remain on their existing CRM platform, their positive experience with HSO led them to reconnect when they needed a trusted partner for cloud migration.
HSO rapidly mobilized to assess the company’s current infrastructure and network, providing a structured approach to transition their virtual machines (VMs) to Azure via a lift-and-shift migration strategy. The migration leveraged Azure’s scalability, security, and cost-optimization features while ensuring a smooth transition with minimal disruption. Additionally, HSO worked closely with Microsoft to streamline funding and incentives, making the move to Azure both efficient and cost-effective.
Benefits
By moving to Microsoft Azure, the company achieved:
- Enhanced scalability and flexibility – Azure's cloud-based infrastructure enables on-demand resource allocation, ensuring the company can scale operations as needed.
- Improved disaster recovery – Built-in redundancy and backup solutions provide robust business continuity and risk mitigation.
- Advanced security and compliance – Azure’s threat detection and compliance features bolster cybersecurity protections.
- Cost optimization – The pay-as-you-go model and resource management tools reduce infrastructure costs.
- Simplified IT operations – Automation tools in Azure streamline VM deployments and maintenance.
Business Impact
This migration was more than just a move to the cloud—it was the first step in a larger transformation. With their infrastructure now on Azure, the company is better positioned to centralize their data within a single tenant, enabling a broader enterprise data strategy.
HSO’s rapid execution and consultative approach also deepened the relationship, opening doors for additional engagements. With their cloud migration successfully completed, the company is now positioned for future optimizations and broader digital transformation initiatives with HSO.
Why HSO?
The company chose HSO for this mission-critical migration based on several key factors:
- A positive sales experience during a previous CRM engagement, which built trust in HSO’s expertise and consultative approach.
- HSO’s ability to rapidly engage and execute—meeting their aggressive migration deadline with confidence.
- A true partnership approach—HSO provided strategic guidance rather than just technical execution, ensuring alignment with business goals.
- Deep Microsoft expertise—HSO worked closely with Microsoft to maximize available funding, incentives, and resources, ensuring a smooth transition.
Looking Ahead
With their cloud migration successfully completed, the company is poised to embark on the next phase of their digital transformation. Their evolving partnership with HSO will not only support ongoing infrastructure needs but also drive data-driven decision-making through Azure and data strategy initiatives.
This project highlights HSO’s agility, expertise, and strong Microsoft partnership, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted advisor for businesses navigating cloud transformation.