Program Overview
The Azure Migration Program has made significant strides this year in advancing UW-IT’s five-year Cloud Strategy, with a focus on security, scalability, operational resilience, innovation through strategic cloud transformation, and cost reduction in alignment with Technology Stewardship and Optimization and Together We Thrive.
Key Achievements
Strategic Alignment & Business Impact
- Secured ongoing 10% cost savings through new MS Azure Consumption Commitment and new enrollment account; tracking expenditures and benefits
Operational Progress
- Nearly all 251 SQL 2012 servers were migrated within the planned deadline.
- The two remaining servers were migrated by the adjusted deadline of September 30.
- Microsoft Cloud Architect Paul Bradford joined the Computing and Productivity Platforms (CPP) unit in August and is advancing architectural decisions and migration readiness.
- Collaborated with Unisys and Microsoft on comprehensive MCP assessment: current state analysis, requirements definition, Landing Zone validation, and gap identification. The final Unisys assessment package was delivered by the end of September, enabling us to move into migration planning.
Collaboration & Team Building
Building a Cross-Functional Azure Platform Team
- Assembled a collaborative Azure Platform delivery team, gathering talent from across the CPP organization – with members from UNIX managed servers, MS Infrastructure, and our new Microsoft Cloud Architect.
- This multi-disciplinary team composition exemplifies our commitment to building a Cloud Center of Excellence, breaking down traditional silos by uniting individuals based on shared skillsets and alignment with our future service direction.
- The team is working together to support landing zone development, establish self-service capabilities, and collaboratively refine documentation and customer request processes.
Investing in Team Development
- Team members remain highly engaged in upskilling, with a personalized approach that prioritizes meaningful professional growth over generic training.
- Each learning opportunity includes clear connections to individual roles and our cloud strategy, ensuring training is both relevant and purposeful.
- Taking a collaborative, conversation-based approach with ongoing oversight and input – helping team members understand not just what they’re learning, but why it matters for the greater good of the unit.
- Conducting workshops with Microsoft partners and using self-assessments to identify where additional support would benefit the team.
- Building a cohesive team that’s growing together while developing the expertise needed for our Azure migration.
Next Steps
- Prioritize migration of servers approaching end of life and extended support to ensure operational continuity and reduce risk.
- Expand workforce transformation efforts by identifying training opportunities that help our customers effectively use Azure and understand the cost implications of cloud services.
- Finalize and implement a cloud FinOps solution to improve cost transparency, optimize resource usage, support proactive decision-making, and capitalize on cost-savings opportunities.
- Launch UMS migrations with an initial focus on infrastructure and operational readiness to ensure smooth transitions.
- Implement a new billing model for UMS and WMS that provides more accurate and transparent cost tracking, empowering customers to monitor Azure service costs and adjust resources as needed.