Helient is dedicated to helping organizations adopt Azure Cloud services, whether through a hybrid model or cloud first approach, including moving workloads to the cloud. Our structured, five-phase process is aligned with the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) and best practices, leveraging the latest architectural guidance from Microsoft.
Phase 1 – Assessment & Project Planning
In this initial phase, we’ll guide your organization through a detailed evaluation of your current IT environment, digital assets, and business drivers. Drawing from the CAF’s Strategy and Plan modules, this step involves:
- General Technology Assessment: A review of existing applications, infrastructure, and data to understand the current state and cloud readiness.
- Business Alignment: Identification of business objectives and success criteria which will drive the migration/integration of future phases.
- Roadmap Development: Formulation of a detailed project plan that outlines phases, timelines, risks, and key milestones.
Phase 2 – Discovery & Design
Building upon the initial assessment, this phase delves into a more detailed discovery and architectural design. This phase includes:
- Workload Analysis: Evaluating existing workloads using tools like Azure Migrate, which help determine the optimal migration path as well as proper sizing of VMs, applications which may be better suited to Application Services, etc.
- Solution Architecture: Designing a tailored architecture including cloud native Azure services and integration/migration of on-premise systems, applications, and/or databases. This architecture will include the base level Landing Zone as well any customizations identified during discovery which may be required.
- Governance & Compliance: Implementing Azure Policy Initiatives to enforce compliance and establish consistent governance across the cloud environment.
- Networking & Security: Developing a secure network architecture starting from a zero-trust base that leverages native Azure services (e.g., Azure Firewall) whenever possible or, when required, third-party network virtual appliances (NVAs) such as Palo Alto or Fortinet.
- Risk & Dependency Mapping: Identifying dependencies and potential challenges, along with strategies for mitigation and development of timeline/priority targets for migration.
- Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCDR): Planning out the appropriate method for getting operations back up and running in the event of a disaster. Discussions around required Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs), Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs), and identifying the preferred approach (Recovery vs Resiliency) that best meets organizational needs.
Phase 3 – Base Infrastructure & Landing Zone Deployment
Following approval of the architectural design provided by Helient, deployment of the base infrastructure/Landing Zone will begin.
- Landing Zone Deployment: The base infrastructure that serves as the primary landing zone for cloud services. This includes management group and subscription design based on CAF best practices in line with current Microsoft guidelines and design principles.
- Policy & Compliance Configuration: Enabling Azure Policy Initiatives to ensure consistent application of security, governance, and networking controls across the environment.
- Network Architecture: Deployment of the network design, incorporating segmentation and controls with native Azure networking and, where dictated by business requirements, third-party NVAs. Network security controls will include restrictions on outbound internet access from within the Azure environment, base level networking services (e.g. Azure Private DNS Resolver), traffic isolation where required, etc.
- Operations Management: Deploying & configuring of monitoring, backup, and identity management infrastructure to support ongoing operations.
Phase 4 – Implementation & Migration
With the landing zone in place, the Implementation & Migration phase brings the designed solution to life. This phase includes:
- Workload Migration: Using Azure Migrate to transition workloads, applications, and data to Azure.
- Desktop Modernization: Implementing modern desktop solutions via Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) in combination with Nerdio, ensuring secure, scalable access for end-users.
- BCDR: Applying the Azure Site Recovery (ASR) and Azure Backup policies specified/created in earlier phases to resources & services identified. DR & Testing Recovery Plans including basic verification & procedure documentation.
- Testing & Validation: Comprehensive testing and validation will be conducted to ensure performance, security, and integration standards are met prior to full production rollout/migration.
Phase 5 – Support, Project Completion, and Ongoing Assistance
Post-migration, our focus shifts to sustained management and continuous improvement. In alignment with CAF’s Govern and Manage best practices, this final phase involves:
- Ongoing Monitoring & Management: Fine tuning of Azure Monitor and other native tools as requested, enabling your teams to be proactive with management and issue resolution.
- Training & Knowledge Transfer: Empowering your people with training and documentation to support long-term operations.
- Continuous Optimization: Regular reviews and recommendations for improvement, ensuring that the cloud environment adapts to evolving business needs and technological advancements.
- Support Services: Comprehensive post-project support that covers troubleshooting, maintenance, and iterative enhancements to keep the system running smoothly.
The best way for customers to continue to benefit from their investment in Azure is by partnering with Helient as a CSP (Cloud Solutions Provider) customer, so we can help you every step of the way and be there when you need support.
Why Choose Helient for Your Azure Journey?
Partnering with Helient offers several advantages:
Azure Expertise: Our deep understanding of Azure services and the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework guarantees that each project is executed with precision and in alignment with the latest best practices & guidance from Microsoft. Our team brings decades of cloud & on-premise infrastructure experience across industries, allowing us to draw on significant depth and breadth of perspectives to meet each client’s needs.
Tailored Solutions: Every step is customized to meet unique operational and business requirements, ensuring that governance, networking, and security controls are precisely aligned to your goals.
Modernization & Resilience: We provide assistance across the spectrum—from desktop modernization with AVD/Nerdio, resilient business continuity solutions using ASR and Azure Backup, security first mindset across networking & services, and more.
Structured Approach: Our phased methodology helps to minimize risk and ensures that every aspect of the transition is effectively managed.
For organizations looking for a reliable, detailed, and customer-focused approach to Azure cloud integration, Helient offers a partnership that few can match. To learn more or discuss your cloud strategy, please contact our team HERE.