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Under the motto, the "work of tomorrow", the management of the Spross company pushed the digitalization of its workplaces and processes in mid-2018. This was accompanied by the modernization of the IT infrastructure and the operating model. In a technology checkup, we analyzed the diverse application landscape and the basic infrastructure and developed a target concept. The requirements of the business units, some of which were very different, were also recorded and integrated.

The result was a target architecture with a cloud-first approach that combined both the existing legacy applications and the high requirements for a future flexible and scalable solution. 

First, we analyzed the existing business applications in terms of cloud capability as part of the due diligence process. The project plan for the transition and transformation was then created as part of the vision & scope document. (Used tools: Rehost Windows servers onAzure, Rehost SQL onAzure, Refactor SQL onAzure)

We ensured the operation and support of the existing infrastructure with our service desk, which was not easy due to the various special applications. 

In the background, the new cloud-based solution was set up. The network services were expanded and the backend services and their data migrated to Office 365 and Azure. Finally, the rollout of the modern Windows 10 clients managed with the Intune cloud solution marked the first step into the digital future that was perceptible to users.

Among other things, the Transport & Recycling department operated a scale that was integrated into the existing IT solution and was absolutely critical to operations, with which dozens of weighings amounting to several hundred tons are carried out every day. When the scales come to a standstill, trucks pile up on the road, immediately causing high operational losses. The integration of this system was solved securely and with high availability thanks to Windows Virtual Desktops.

After completion of the transition, the previous "best effort operation" was changed over to Managed Service Operation Care secured with SLA. 

With the new, mobile workstations and the use of Microsoft Teams, collaboration and communication within the Spross Group could be significantly improved and - not insignificantly in the current situation - become more location-independent. The new solution passed its baptism of fire shortly after the changeover: from March 2020, the first wave of Corona meant that many employees had to go to their home offices. In one fell swoop, the advantages of workplaces equipped with Microsoft 365 and Intune became obvious. 

The goals of the Spross Digital strategy were successfully implemented and digitization was brought forward a great deal. All employees, whether in the home office, in the office or on the road, are now always connected and can communicate easily without compromising on security. The relevant business applications are also available at all times and without restriction. 

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Various legacy applications had to be checked for their cloud capability. For example, the business-critical software A3 of the Transport & Recycling division had never been provided in Azure by the software manufacturer. As part of a pilot project, the cloud capability of A3 was tested and ultimately ensured.

In general, the historically grown IT and the high availability requirements repeatedly presented us with challenges, but we were always able to master them thanks to the flexibility of the Microsoft Cloud and the extensive know-how of our specialists.