Why Amazon Web Services (AWS)?

With more than a decade of AWS experience, the client saw AWS as the ideal platform to support its cloudfirst vision. AWS’s broad service portfolio, global reach, and cost-effective infrastructure aligned with the company’s goals of lean operations, rapid provisioning, minimal vendor reliance, and long-term scalability.

The Challenge

After the divestiture, the company’s IT leadership prioritized modernizing legacy systems and embracing cloud technologies to increase business agility. Key initiatives included migrating data platforms off-premises, re-platforming IT operations, modernizing global networking, and reducing vendor licensing dependencies.

AHEAD's Solution

As a trusted AWS Partner, AHEAD worked closely with the client to execute a comprehensive modernization roadmap leveraging AWS best practices:

1. Migration & Modernization

2. • Migrated data platforms — including data lakes and analytics — from on-premises to AWS
   • Re-platformed IT operations management tools to SaaSbased solutions on AWS
   • Modernized VMware environments by adopting cloud-native services like AWS Outposts

2. Innovation Enablement

3. • Provisioned on-demand AWS resources to accelerate new workload development
   • Reduced technical debt by decommissioning legacy systems
   • Laid the foundation for future cloudnative development on AWS

3. Cloud Operations

4. • Incorporated AWS security best practices into governance frameworks
   • Designed resilient disaster recovery and high-availability architectures
   • Implemented FinOps practices for cloud cost optimization
   • Trained IT staff on AWS cloud operations processes

4. Networking

5. • Modernized global networking with a software-defined approach leveraging the AWS backbone
   • Used AWS networking services to enhance connectivity and traffic management
   • Enabled secure workload mobility across AWS Regions and onpremises environments

The Benefits

By partnering with AHEAD on its AWS-driven transformation, the company has achieved significant benefits, including:

• Enhanced business agility to rapidly launch new digital initiatives
• Optimized IT costs by paying only for resources consumed
• Gained the ability to scale infrastructure up or down on demand
• Reduced technical debt and vendor lock-in
• Positioned for future innovation with AWS cloud-native services

With AHEAD’s guidance, the company is advancing its cloud journey and driving business innovation on AWS.
- IT Leadership, Global Food Manufacturer