Hollard Insurance Group faced a critical challenge in migrating a massive volume of compliant file data from a legacy storage appliance to Azure File Shares within an impossibly tight four-month timeframe. The data,comprising 3.2 billion files totaling 150TB, was predominantly business-critical voice contracts generated by the company’s call center. NBConsult was tasked with executing a flawless migration while ensuring zero downtime to critical business operations.

The Challenge

The complexity of the migration was compounded by several factors:

• Imminent Deadline: The four-month timeframe imposed stringent project management and execution requirements.
• Data Volume and Sensitivity: The massive volume of highly sensitive files necessitated robust data management and security protocols.
• Business Continuity: Maintaining uninterrupted access to voice recordings for call center operations was paramount.
• Compliance Adherence: The migration had to adhere to strict regulatory and compliance standards.
• Technical Challenges: The legacy storage architecture and Azure File Shares presented technical disparities that required careful analysis and architectural adaptation.

The NBConsult Solution

NBConsult developed a comprehensive migration strategy focused on speed, accuracy, and compliance. Key elements of the solution included:

• Rigorous Data Assessment: A detailed analysis of the source file shares was conducted to understand data characteristics, identify potential challenges, and optimize the migration process.
• Architectural Adaptation: The source file share architecture was carefully mapped to Azure File Shares,ensuring optimal performance and data integrity.
• Zero-Downtime Migration: A sophisticated migration approach was designed and implemented to minimize disruptions to call center operations.
• Chain of Custody: A robust chain of custody mechanism was established to track file movement and integrity throughout the migration process.
• Custom Migration Portal: A dedicated portal was developed to provide real-time visibility into migration progress, exceptions, and overall project status.
• Compliance Verification: Comprehensive logging and reporting were implemented to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and gain approval from the GRC board.

Implementation and Overcoming Challenges

The migration project involved several critical phases:

• Planning and Preparation: A detailed project plan was developed, including resource allocation, task scheduling, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Data Extraction and Transformation: Efficient data extraction and transformation processes were implemented to prepare files for migration.
• Data Transfer and Validation: The massive data transfer to Azure File Shares was executed with rigorous data validation checks.
• Testing and Cutover: Thorough testing was conducted to ensure seamless integration with call center systems and to validate data integrity.
• Post-Migration Verification: A final audit and verification process was performed to confirm data accuracy and completeness.

Results and Benefits

The successful execution of the migration project delivered significant benefits to Hollard Insurance Group:

• Accelerated Time-to-Market: The migration was completed ahead of schedule, enabling the organization to leverage Azure’s capabilities sooner.
• Cost Efficiency: The project was delivered within budget, optimizing resource utilization.
• Business Continuity: Zero downtime was achieved during the migration, ensuring uninterrupted call center operations.
• Enhanced Data Security and Compliance: The migration to Azure enhanced data security and facilitated compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Improved Scalability and Performance: Azure File Shares provided a scalable and high-performance platform for future growth.

By partnering with NBConsult, Hollard Insurance Group successfully overcame a complex and high-stakes migration challenge, achieving exceptional results in terms of speed, accuracy, and compliance.