CASE STUDY

Award-Winning Data Platform Modernization: Telecom Giant Migrates to Snowflake on AWS

Introduction

For large telecommunications providers, the challenge of managing and extracting value from petabytes of data is a constant reality. Traditional on-premises data platforms often struggle to keep pace with this demand, facing limitations in scalability as data consumption surges, complexities in integrating with third-party data sources, and difficulties in providing timely, actionable reporting, not to mention the foundational requirements for AI-driven analytics.

This case study showcases how Hoonartek partnered with a major Indonesian telecom company to address the limitations of their on-premises data platform. By migrating to AWS-hosted Snowflake, the client achieved significant improvements in scalability, reporting availability, and cost efficiency, demonstrating the transformative power of strategic data modernization.

About the Client

Our client, a leading telecommunications provider in Indonesia, serves over 58.5 million subscribers with extensive 4G and 5G coverage, reaching more than 96% of the population. This significant market presence reflects the company’s commitment to providing robust connectivity across the archipelago. With a vision to be the #1 Converged Operator in Indonesia, the client aims to simplify and enhance digital experiences for its customers. Their achievements are underscored by industry recognition, including awards such as “Best Mobile Network Operator” and “Outstanding Customer Service,” highlighting their dedication to both network excellence and customer satisfaction.  

The Business Challenge(s)​

The client’s Data Governance and Architecture team, responsible for architecting and leading enterprise data platforms, faced significant challenges with their on-premise Legacy Data Platform. Specifically, they sought to modernize their analytics infrastructure to achieve:

  • Enhanced Scalability: The existing platform struggled to accommodate the growing volume of data and increasing demand for real-time analytics.
  • Improved Reporting Availability: Business users required faster access to critical reports to support timely decision-making.
  • Data Consolidation: The client aimed to consolidate disparate data sources onto a single, unified platform for streamlined data management and analysis.
  • Operational Efficiency: The on-premise platform incurred substantial operational costs and required extensive maintenance.
  • Cloud Adoption: The client sought to leverage the scalability and cost-effectiveness of cloud-based solutions.

Therefore, the “Analytics Data Platform Modernization Project” was initiated to migrate their petabyte-scale data platform from on-premise to a cloud-hosted environment, specifically AWS with Snowflake, to fully utilize the cloud and analytics platform key features.

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Joint Solution Discovery

To address these challenges, the client partnered with Hoonartek, a specialist in data migration and modernization. This collaboration involved a comprehensive assessment of the client’s existing infrastructure, data landscape, and business requirements. The joint solution discovery process focused on:   

  • Strategic Platform Selection: The decision to migrate to AWS-hosted Snowflake was driven by its ability to provide the required scalability, performance, and cost efficiency.
  • Data Migration Strategy: A meticulous plan was developed to migrate approximately 2 petabytes of data from the on-premise legacy platform to Snowflake, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
  • Code Conversion: Hoonartek undertook the complex task of converting over 3,500 ETL scripts, 700 BI scripts, and 600+ Ab Initio jobs to ensure compatibility with Snowflake.
  • Early System Access: To facilitate early adoption and user familiarity, Hoonartek ensured that the Snowflake system was made available to business users within the second month of the project.
  • Collaborative Execution: Hoonartek worked closely with the client’s Data Governance and Architecture team, sharing task ownership and providing continuous support throughout the migration process.
  • Data Optimization: Hoonartek also identified approximately 250 TB of redundant data, enabling the client to optimize storage and reduce costs.

Industry Perspective

In the highly competitive telecommunications industry, data-driven decision-making is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. The client’s decision to modernize their analytics platform aligns with industry best practices for leveraging cloud technologies and advanced analytics. Hoonartek provided valuable guidance on:

  • Cloud-Native Architecture: Advising on the implementation of a cloud-native data architecture that supports scalability, agility, and innovation.
  • Data Governance and Compliance: Ensuring that the migrated data platform adheres to relevant data privacy regulations and industry standards.
  • Future-Proofing the Platform: The clean, accessible, and scalable data environment created will greatly accelerate any future AI development, enabling the client to adapt to evolving business needs and technological advancements.
  • Cost Optimization: In the Indonesian telecommunications market, cost efficiency is crucial. Hoonartek’s work in eliminating the need for legacy database license extensions provided a significant cost saving.

Outcomes

The successful completion of the Analytics Data Platform Modernization Project delivered significant benefits to the client:

Enhanced Performance and Scalability
  • The modernized analytics platform delivers significantly improved performance and scalability, providing faster access to critical reports and supporting growing data needs.

Efficient Data Migration and Operationalization
  • A seamless migration of 2 petabytes of data to AWS Snowflake, along with the efficient conversion of thousands of ETL, BI, and Ab Initio scripts, resulted in the operationalization of numerous reports and allowed for early user adoption of the new system.

Cost Savings and Strategic Foundation for AI
  • Significant cost savings were achieved by avoiding legacy database license extensions. The robust, scalable platform now provides a strong foundation for future advanced analytics and AI initiatives..

Successful Project Delivery and Data Optimization
  • Through a result-oriented approach, strong collaboration, and dedicated support, Hoonartek successfully delivered the project, and identified 250TB of redundant data for future clean-up, which enhances data quality and reduces storage costs.

Conclusion:

The successful migration of our client’s petabyte-scale data platform to AWS-hosted Snowflake stands as a testament to Hoonartek’s expertise in delivering complex, enterprise-level data modernization projects. By seamlessly transitioning critical data and applications, we empowered our client to unlock the full potential of their data, driving improved operational efficiency, enhanced decision-making, and significant cost savings. The project’s success, marked by the early availability of the Snowflake system, efficient code conversions, and the identification of substantial data redundancies, underscores Hoonartek’s commitment to delivering tangible business value.

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations must leverage advanced data platforms to maintain a competitive edge. Hoonartek’s proven track record in data migration, modernization, and cloud integration makes us the ideal partner for businesses seeking to transform their data into a strategic asset.

Ready to transform your data landscape?

Contact Hoonartek today for a comprehensive assessment of your data modernization needs. Let our expert team guide you through a seamless migration and unlock the power of your data with our tailored solutions. Visit our website or schedule a consultation to discover how we can help you achieve your business goals. Don’t let your data hold you back—partner with Hoonartek and accelerate your journey to data-driven success.

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