Optimising Azure at scale for DCC

Logicalis DCC success story

United Kingdom, Dec 16, 2024

Overview

DCC, a diverse international group, faced a significant challenge: managing and optimising a rapidly expanding Azure environment across more than 50 separate environments. With varying levels of cloud maturity and decentralised operations, DCC needed a scalable, secure, and cost-effective solution to align its cloud strategy with group-wide IT principles.

Challenge

DCC’s businesses operate with a high degree of autonomy, a deliberate strategy to foster agility and innovation in local markets. However, this decentralisation led to fragmented cloud adoption, with 50–60% of businesses using Azure in varying capacities. How could DCC support its businesses effectively while some were beginning their cloud journey, while others had fully migrated?

The rapid growth in Azure usage exposed gaps in governance, cost optimisation, and security. DCC recognised the need for a robust framework that could:

  • Standardise cloud adoption across businesses
  • Ensure cost-effective deployment
  • Embed security from the outset
  • Support long-term scalability and sustainability

Solution

DCC partnered with Logicalis and Microsoft to launch a strategic optimisation initiative, starting with its top 15 Azure accounts. The project involved:

  • Cloud Adoption Framework Workshops
    Tailored sessions to assess infrastructure, identify challenges, and design well-architected solutions for seamless cloud deployment.
  • Cost Optimisation
    Detailed analysis of Azure environments led to immediate savings across multiple businesses.
  • Security by Design
    Logicalis embedded security into the Azure blueprint from the start, ensuring environments were secure before migration.
  • Repeatable Framework
    A scalable model was developed to guide each business through consistent cloud adoption, aligned with DCC’s strategic goals.

Results

  • Significant Cost Savings
    Immediate financial benefits across the initial 15 accounts.
  • Improved Governance
    A unified framework for cloud adoption and security.
  • Enhanced Security Posture
    Azure environments built with security embedded from the design phase.
  • Scalability & Repeatability
    A blueprint that supports consistent deployment across all businesses.
  • Strategic Enablement
    Azure now serves as a foundation for accelerating digital and AI initiatives across the group.
  • Sustainability Gains
    Improved visibility into carbon emissions and reporting, supporting DCC’s public company obligations.

Conclusion

Through its partnership with Logicalis and Microsoft, DCC transformed a complex, decentralised Azure landscape into a strategic asset. The initiative not only delivered cost and security benefits but also laid the groundwork for future innovation and sustainability across the group.

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