Complex hybrid-cloud environment undermined cost-effectiveness
As every eCommerce brand knows, online customers do not tolerate the frustration of slow page loads or difficult checkouts. Success depends on a smooth and consistent user experience, even during peak periods. For years, AllSaints met that expectation by running more than 60 servers. Outside of major shopping periods, though, nearly half those servers sat idle, adding unnecessary costs in an industry where margins are already razor thin.
AllSaints' primary challenge was the cost and inefficiency of its existing infrastructure. The business was operating on a hybrid cloud environment that necessitated running more than 60 servers to guarantee availability during peak times. The financial impact was significant: outside of major shopping periods, nearly half those servers sat idle, incurring unnecessary operational costs and squeezing margins in the competitive retail industry. To improve its responsiveness, flexibility, and financial efficiency, AllSaints made the critical decision to consolidate entirely onto Google Cloud. This was not a simple lift-and-shift, but a complex project requiring the refactoring of 100 individual services to a new microservices architecture. The core issue was executing this fundamental change with a zero-tolerance policy for downtime or performance degradation across every global time zone.
To improve its responsiveness, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, AllSaints made the decision to migrate its operations from a hybrid cloud environment to Google Cloud alone. The move required the refactoring of 100 individual services to a new microservices cloud environment, and with no room for downtime or degradation of performance; the platform had to launch flawlessly, with high availability in every time zone and region around the globe.
Recognizing the sheer scale of the project, AllSaints sought external assistance, and Google recommended Pythian for the task. With two years of reliable support already under their belt, Pythian was a natural choice for the expanded partnership.
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