Hollard & Interactive complete large-scale data centre migration
Interactive has partnered with Hollard Insurance to execute a large-scale migration of virtual machines to a new data centre over a single weekend.
Hollard Insurance provides a range of insurance products including motor, home, contents, business, and pet insurance, working with major consumer brands and brokers across Australia. The partnership with Interactive became necessary when Hollard's incumbent managed services provider announced the closure of its private cloud, requiring Hollard to deliver a comprehensive data migration within a tight timeframe.
The complexity of the project increased as the task involved moving hundreds of virtual servers, each with different generations of IT systems and platforms, to the new data centre within a single weekend. This required meticulous coordination and technical capabilities to ensure business operations continued smoothly.
Discovery and planning
Larry Neimann, Head of Technology Operations at Hollard, described the process of initial engagement and assessment. "Interactive performed some IT discovery work for us which provided clarity around the challenges and requirements of our environment. Once our MSP announced it was discontinuing its cloud services, it was clear we needed the support of experienced engineers, architects and technicians. Interactive worked diligently alongside us at every turn, offering support throughout the project."
In response to the requirements, Interactive and Hollard established a framework focused on extensive testing and scenario planning. This aimed to expedite the migration and reduce its impact on business operations. Specialised experts in Microsoft Azure VMware Services from Interactive collaborated with Hollard's Technology team, addressing technical obstacles and providing guidance through each stage of the migration framework.
Migration execution
Hollard retained control over key decisions, particularly those relating to the timing of the migration. By the conclusion of the weekend, all core functions of Hollard's business operations were running from the new data centre.
"Up until Friday morning, there was still a fair amount of anxiety on both sides, however, given the preparation and testing already completed, we made the call to go ahead. By Saturday afternoon, we knew it was going well," said Neimann. "Ultimately, Interactive didn't just deliver a technical solution; it provided the strategic partnership and expertise to navigate a complex migration under tight deadlines. When no one notices that anything has changed, we know it means the migration was a success."
Collaboration and communication
Brad Wells, Director of Enterprise Sales at Interactive, also highlighted the significance of planning and communication throughout the process. "In today's digital environment, strong partnerships and resilient networks are critical to success. With Hollard Insurance, we shifted from a staggered pace to a fast-moving approach, thanks to Hollard's decisiveness to move forward. The successful data centre migration speaks volumes to the collaborative relationship between Hollard and Interactive."
The project underlines the increasing importance of adaptability and partnership as organisations manage IT infrastructure changes. Moving such a significant volume of virtual servers, especially with a deadline dictated by the closure of the previous provider's services, presents logistical and technical challenges that require cooperation between internal teams and external partners.
Both Hollard and Interactive applied detailed scenario planning and testing to minimise potential disruptions, a process reflected in the smooth transition of Hollard's operations following the migration. The migration was completed within the planned timeframe, enabling Hollard to continue its insurance operations without service interruption to its customers or partners.
The collaboration demonstrates a methodical approach to IT migrations under pressured time constraints, with the two organisations working closely to address each step as it arose. Interactive's technical resources and familiarity with platforms such as Microsoft Azure VMware Services were key in ensuring that a variety of legacy and current systems were successfully relocated to the new environment.
Hollard Insurance and Interactive continue their partnership following the migration, focusing on supporting ongoing operations and addressing future technology projects as needed.
