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Hybrid platform from a single partner brings synergy benefits to Otava
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Enfo’s long-standing data centre partnership with Otava has expanded to include the management of public cloud platforms. Developing the hybrid environment is now easier than ever.
Enfo and Otava began their collaboration in 2008 with workstation services, later expanding to server capacity procurements. Recently, Enfo and Otava agreed on a three-year continuation of server capacity services and a new partnership for managing Azure and AWS cloud environments.
Cloud platforms have become increasingly important for Otava, as the group’s growth strategy requires IT environments to be scalable and continuously evolving. Services must also accommodate different user groups.
“New systems and services are implemented or procured primarily as cloud solutions where possible. Nevertheless, the data centre still retains its role in certain situations,” explains Maarit Laakkonen, CIO at Otava.
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We value that Enfo has its processes and operating models in place, but also shows agility and flexibility in its operations.
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Eliminating broken phones
Under the new agreement, Enfo has overall responsibility for the hybrid environment. This simplifies optimisation, as experts from different areas now work together at the same table. Conflicts of interest are avoided, but this requires close collaboration and a shared commitment to objectives. The environment can now be developed with a focus on operational efficiency, quality, cost-effectiveness, and overall architecture.
Centralising IT services under a single partner makes coordination and management easier. Otava’s internal IT workload is reduced, as it no longer has to act as the integrator between different service providers. “At the same time, unnecessary assumptions and ‘broken phones’ are eliminated,” Laakkonen adds.
Knowledge-based management is key
The collaboration between Otava and Enfo also covers application development for data analytics and data warehouses. This is crucial for Otava, as knowledge-based management is increasingly important across the group’s operations. Enfo’s experts have deep experience with Otava’s business models and solutions, allowing them to take a proactive approach and challenge the customer’s choices when necessary.
“When skilled experts develop data analytics applications, collaboration is smooth and effortless. This provides us with significant synergy benefits. It has been a pleasure to see that Enfo has strong expertise in these services as well,” says Laakkonen.
“When skilled experts develop data analytics applications, collaboration is smooth and effortless. This provides us with significant synergy benefits.”
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Agility and cost benefits
Enfo has grown since the early days of the partnership, yet it remains a suitably sized partner for Otava. “We appreciate that Enfo has processes and operating models in place, but also shows agility and flexibility. In larger organisations, processes are often so rigid that responding to feedback is much slower, or the voice of an individual customer isn’t even heard.”
Broad collaboration also increases cost efficiency, as a single expert organisation manages a larger overall environment. The growth in total volume is reflected in the pricing of individual services.
The next steps focus on deepening cloud management and transformation.
“New, broader initiatives have also started in the data warehouse and analytics area. Good work always generates more work,” Laakkonen summarises.
Otava Group is Finland’s third-largest diversified media group, reaching nearly every Finn in some way. Its business areas include general literature, learning services, retail, media, and marketplaces. In 2019, the group’s turnover was approximately EUR 290 million, with 1,100 employees. www.otavakonserni.fi
