Empowering Digital Evolution: Seamless Migration to GitHub Enterprise Cloud (GHEC)

Company

A Fortune 500 American multinational information technology company based in Spring, Texas.

Location
Headquarters – Texas
Industry
Information Technology
BY THE NUMBERS
2,754
Number of organizations consolidated down to 20
159,019
Number of respositories evaluated for clean up or migration
Cloud Security Services Arlington
About

Modernizing its development processes while consolidating its tools and platforms.

A Fortune 500 global giant in the information technology sector, found itself at a pivotal juncture in its digital transformation journey. As a company with a vast and complex developer ecosystem spread across multiple business units, each with unique objectives and operational models, it faced a significant challenge: modernizing its development processes while consolidating its tools and platforms.

Challenge

A solution was necessary to ensure a seamless migration and enable independent management and optimization of the new platform in the future.

The primary focus was on optimizing the use of GitHub. Even though GitHub Enterprise Server (GHES) was in place it had not fully utilized the advanced features available in GitHub Enterprise Cloud (GHEC). The decision was made to migrate from GHES to GHEC to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities of the cloud platform, including GitHub Copilot, an AI-powered tool designed to increase developer productivity, and GitHub Actions, which could streamline automation and CI/CD processes.

However, the scale and complexity of this migration posed significant challenges. The internal teams although highly skilled lacked the specific expertise required for a seamless transition to GHEC. Additionally, there was a risk that diverting these critical resources to manage the migration could detract from other business-critical initiatives. The fragmented nature of the development environment added another layer of complexity, as the migration needed to accommodate diverse workflows and integrate seamlessly across various business units.

In light of these challenges, a solution was necessary to ensure a seamless migration and enable independent management and optimization of the new platform in the future. The stakes were high: the success of this migration would be a crucial milestone in its broader digital transformation strategy.

Cloud Security Services in St. Paul
Solution

A comprehensive, tailored solution that was as robust as it was flexible and centered around a collaborative, champion-team approach.

To address its multifaceted challenges, Atmosera crafted a comprehensive, tailored solution that was as robust as it was flexible. The strategy centered around a collaborative, champion-team approach, designed to not only facilitate the migration but also build internal capabilities within it for future self-sufficiency.

1. Champion Team Formation:

Atmosera partnered with key stakeholders and established a dedicated champion team, bringing together experts from both organizations. This team was responsible for leading the migration effort, ensuring that it was executed smoothly and that all stakeholders across its diverse business units were engaged and confident in the process. The team included Atmosera’s top cloud migration specialists, who provided strategic oversight, and key team members who understood the internal nuances and unique requirements of the organization.

2. Dual Approach Migration:

Recognizing the varying needs across its developer community, Atmosera offered a dual approach to the migration:

  • White-Glove Service: For critical components and complex migration scenarios, Atmosera provided hands-on, personalized support. This included in-depth technical assistance, direct management of the migration for sensitive systems, and bespoke solutions to address specific challenges unique to its environment.
  • Self-Service Options: In parallel, Atmosera developed a self-service migration framework, empowering its teams to manage less critical aspects of the migration independently. This approach included comprehensive documentation, step-by-step guides, and access to Atmosera’s expert support when needed.

3. Comprehensive Training and Onboarding:

A key component of the solution was the extensive training provided to its administrators and developers. Atmosera delivered customized training sessions designed to ensure that its teams were fully equipped to leverage the new features of GHEC. This included specialized training on GitHub Copilot and GitHub Actions as well as best practices for managing workflows in a cloud-based environment.

4. System Analysis and Customization:

Before the migration began, Atmosera conducted a thorough analysis of its existing systems and workflows. This analysis identified potential bottlenecks and areas requiring customization. Atmosera then developed a paved path for the migration, which included tailored onboarding roadmaps for different business units within the company. Customization efforts also addressed edge cases, ensuring that the migration would accommodate even the most unique aspects of its development environment.

5. Dry-Run Testing and Validation:

To mitigate risks and build confidence, Atmosera implemented a rigorous dry-run testing phase. This involved simulating the migration in a controlled environment to identify any potential issues and validate the migration plan. The results of these tests were used to refine the migration strategy, ensuring that when the live migration took place, it would proceed smoothly and without disruption.

6. Collaboration with GitHub Expert Services:

Atmosera worked closely with GitHub’s expert services teams throughout the project. This collaboration ensured that all integration efforts were aligned, avoiding duplication of work and leveraging GitHub’s deep expertise in their platform. This partnership was crucial in streamlining the integration process and ensuring that it could take full advantage of the advanced features offered by GHEC.

Outcome

Atmosera was chosen as their strategic partner because of our proven expertise in managing complex cloud migrations and our ability to deliver tailored solutions for diverse enterprise organizations.

The successful implementation of Atmosera’s solution delivered significant, transformative outcomes:

1. Self-Sufficiency and Empowerment:

One of the most significant outcomes was that it was not only able to complete the migration successfully but also became fully self-sufficient in managing the new GHEC environment. Through the champion team approach and comprehensive training, its teams were empowered with the knowledge and tools necessary to handle future migrations, updates, and optimizations independently. This self-sufficiency is a critical asset – reducing reliance on external support and enabling more agile and responsive development processes.

2. Enhanced Developer Productivity:

The rapid enablement of GitHub Copilot and GitHub Actions had an immediate and positive impact on developer productivity. GitHub Copilot, with its AI-driven code suggestions, significantly reduced the time developers spent on routine coding tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex and creative aspects of their work. GitHub Actions streamlined automation processes, making CI/CD pipelines more efficient and reducing time to market for new features and products.

3. Seamless and Efficient Integration:

Thanks to the close collaboration with GitHub expert services, the integration of GHEC into its existing infrastructure was seamless. The migration process was completed without major disruptions, and the new platform was quickly adopted across its business units. The efficiency of this integration meant that it could begin realizing the benefits of GHEC almost immediately, further accelerating its digital transformation efforts.

4. Strategic Alignment and Reduced Risk:

The careful planning, dry-run testing, and strategic alignment with GitHub’s teams minimized risks and ensured that the migration was executed without any major issues. This meticulous approach not only protected it from potential downtime or data loss but also built a solid foundation for future projects, where similar migrations or integrations may be required.

Why Atmosera?

Atmosera was chosen as their strategic partner for this critical project because of Atmosera’s proven expertise in managing complex cloud migrations and our ability to deliver tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of large, diverse organizations. Atmosera’s approach was characterized by:

  • Expertise in Cloud Migrations: Atmosera has a deep understanding of cloud platforms and has successfully managed numerous large-scale migrations for enterprise clients. Their ability to navigate the complexities of their environment and deliver a smooth transition was a key factor in their decision to partner with them.
  • Tailored Solutions and Flexibility: Atmosera’s dual approach, offering both white-glove services and self-service options, provided the flexibility it needed to manage its migration effectively. This approach ensured that it could leverage external expertise where necessary while also building internal capabilities.
  • Strong Collaboration with GitHub: Atmosera’s close collaboration with GitHub expert services was another critical factor. This partnership ensured that its migration to GHEC was not only successful but also optimized to take full advantage of the platform’s advanced features. The alignment between Atmosera and GitHub minimized risks and ensured seamless integration.
  • Commitment to Client Empowerment: Atmosera’s focus on training and empowering its teams sets them apart from other providers. By equipping it with the skills and knowledge needed to manage the new platform independently, Atmosera ensured that the benefits of the migration would be sustained long after the project was completed.

Future Plans

Building on the success of this migration, it is well-positioned to continue its digital transformation journey with Atmosera as a trusted partner. The plans include further integration of advanced GitHub tools, such as more sophisticated automation through GitHub Actions and deeper AI integration with GitHub Copilot. Additionally, Atmosera will continue to provide strategic consulting and advanced developer training to ensure that it remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

Its partnership with Atmosera is expected to evolve as new challenges and opportunities arise, with Atmosera continuing to play a critical role in advising on best practices, and emerging technologies, and optimizing its development processes for the future.

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