Port and logistics
Peel Ports
Infrastructure
Peel Ports Group Limited is one of the UKs leading port operators, managing over 70 million tonnes of cargo annually across key locations including the Port of Liverpool and the Manchester Ship Canal. With a diverse range of services including container, bulk, and general cargo handling, Peel Ports is at the forefront of the maritime logistics sector, integrating advanced logistical solutions with extensive warehousing and storage capabilities. The company is committed to innovation and sustainability, aiming to redefine the standards of efficiency in the maritime industry while enhancing the supply chain capabilities of its customers and creating sustainable value for its stakeholders.
Introduction
Peel Ports challenges stemmed from aging datacentre infrastructure, an underused Microsoft Azure implementation, and a technical team striving to keep up-to-date with an ever changing environment. Acknowledging the need for modernisation, Peel Ports embarked on an ambitious project with Servent to transform their IT landscape. The initial phase involved the strategic migration of virtual machines to Azure, paired with comprehensive knowledge transfer sessions. This approach was designed not only to revitalise their infrastructure but to equip their staff with the expertise required for proficient management of their Azure environment.
Challenge
Aging datacentre
Costly support contracts
Underutilised Azure environment
Security & compliance needs
Peel Ports faced several challenges when considering their adoption journey. The existing infrastructure in Liverpool was becoming increasingly costly to support and maintain, primarily due to its age, expensive support for datacentres and the impending end-of-life status of critical hardware components. This scenario highlights a critical need for modernisation at Peel Ports, presenting Microsoft Azure as the ideal solution to significantly reduce physical infrastructure costs. In partnership with Servent, Peel Ports gained access to unmatched expertise and a committed team dedicated to designing a meticulously optimised infrastructure.
Despite already benefiting from a small Azure footprint, Peel Ports faced challenges in managing and optimising their cloud environment effectively. This situation necessitated the expertise of Servent to not only optimise and rebuild essential workloads as needed but also to conduct extensive knowledge transfer sessions. These sessions were crucial for empowering the staff with the necessary skills and understanding to manage their Azure environment efficiently. Leveraging Azure’s advanced cloud management tools and analytics, Servent could provide Peel Ports with tailored solutions that enhance operational efficiency and cloud performance, aligning with the company’s strategic goals.
Additionally, robust security enhancements were crucial to comply with Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) and Network and Information Systems (NIS) regulations, given their operations' implications for national security.
Solution
The transformation of Peel Ports’ infrastructure was guided by our Azure Pathway and Azure Virtual Desktop offerings. A thorough infrastructure assessment utilising our advanced tooling helped gain a complete understanding of Peel Ports’ environment. 30 machines were identified as suitable for Azure. The next step was to prioritise these machines for migration based on their criticality and readiness for the cloud environment. Servent’s advanced assessment and tooling provided a comprehensive understanding of their environment, enabling precise planning of migration waves for a seamless transition. This approach included detailed analysis of each system’s role, data sensitivity, and operational impact, ensuring a tailored and strategic cloud transition.
While working through the migration Servent identified an opportunity to leveraging Azure Virtual Desktop to replace their current Citrix solution, this enhanced the accessibility and performance of applications across Peel Ports’ global locations, significantly improving experience for their offices in Germany and other remote users worldwide.
Security and compliance were strengthened through the implementation of Privileged Access Management, aligning with stringent CAF and NIS guidelines.
Moreover, Peel Ports' staff received extensive training and knowledge transfer sessions designed to empower them with the skills and insights necessary to efficiently manage their new cloud environment. These educational initiatives were meticulously tailored to align with Microsoft Azure’s best practices and the specific needs of Peel Ports. This investment in employee capability not only ensures the proficient use of Azure technologies but also enhances the overall operational resilience and agility of the company’s cloud infrastructure.
Outcome
Modernised Infrastructure
Improved Remote Work
Enhanced Security
Empowered Workforce
Conclusion
Peel Ports' partnership with Servent in their Azure adoption has addressed their immediate operational challenges and strategically positioned them for future growth and innovation. This case study exemplifies our capability to manage complex cloud transformations and underscores the importance of integrating Azure to enable modern enterprises.
