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Centrica - Technology Infrastructure case study
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Centrica
Centrica Energy, a multinational utility company, streamlines business systems
​​​Business Situation
​The data rooms in each of their power stations were managed separately from the company’s core IT activities. The result was an ageing server estate, under-utilized, but expensive hardware, and a number of support and management challenges. Many of the servers and applications are mission-critical and must be on-site to ensure smooth running of the power station, so moving the servers to a central data center wasn’t an option.
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​Solution
​Avanade delivered a proof of concept at Killinghome power station. The company built an authentic copy of the network in a sandbox, so there was no risk of interfering with power station operations. Using a virtualized server platform running Microsoft Windows Server, Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager, Avanade migrated Centrica’s specialized applications and proved that it was possible to consolidate a number of SQL Server databases. The new architecture reduced the number of physical servers, simplified remote monitoring and management and provided fail-over and resilience between the servers. But the proof of concept wasn’t just about proving the technology. Avanade also presented a detailed business case which compared Hyper-V with other virtualization technology and showed how Centrica could achieve its business goals.
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​Results
Avanade’s proof of concept successfully demonstrated that Centrica could migrate its software to the Microsoft Hyper-V environment. Avanade’s previous experience and expertise helped Centrica find the best solution for their needs. The new setup is more resource, size and power-efficient. If replicated across seven power stations, it would cut the number of servers by 75%. Not only does this reduce the capital budget, but it also means lower maintenance and management costs as well.
  • Hyper-V enables Centrica to consolidate its SQL Server databases more efficiently, equating to an 88% saving in SQL server licensing costs.

  • Avanade showed how Centrica can save money because Hyper-V has lower licensing costs than its main competitor, VMware.

  • Hyper-V allows Centrica’s IS department to deploy new virtual servers in a matter of hours and at no extra cost.

  • Centrica estimates that Avanade and Hyper-V could save Centrica £1-2m over the next three years.
begin quotation   We have been on a successful journey over many years with Avanade, building the DRI team in the UK and India. Initially lead in the UK we have successfully moved the majority of delivery and support to a highly skilled offshore team. Delivery quality is high and predictable.  end quotation Howard Chapman Project Manager, Centrica
 
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