Case Study: Data Platform Modernization

Insurance

Data Platform Modernization

The Challenge: Legacy Infrastructure Constraints

A multinational life insurance company was grappling with severe technological debt that threatened its competitive position. Years of mergers and acquisitions had left the organization with ten disconnected legacy data warehouses and over 100 disparate source systems, each with inconsistent data definitions. Critical actuarial calculations were taking more than 72 hours to complete, while quarterly regulatory reporting required an astounding 45+ days. The situation was further complicated by 70% of the IT budget being consumed by legacy system maintenance. This technical stagnation was not only impacting operations but also making it increasingly difficult to attract and retain top talent who were seeking opportunities with more modern technology stacks.

Our Solution: Cloud-Based Modern Data Platform

Lydatum architected and implemented a comprehensive cloud-based data platform that modernized the insurer's entire data infrastructure. The solution encompassed three key pillars:

• Modern Cloud Architecture: We leveraged Azure's powerful suite of services, implementing Azure SQL for transactional needs and Azure Synapse Analytics as the enterprise data warehouse. Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 provided the foundation for a modern data lake architecture, while Azure Data Factory handled complex integration requirements. The infrastructure was managed as code using Terraform, ensuring consistency and reproducibility.
• Data Governance and Quality: Informatica's data quality tools were integrated with Collibra's governance platform to ensure data integrity and compliance. This was complemented by Azure Databricks for advanced data science capabilities and Power BI for self-service analytics, creating a comprehensive data ecosystem.
• Organizational Transformation: The technical implementation was supported by a robust change management program. This included board-level workshops on treating data as a strategic asset, the establishment of a dedicated C-suite steering committee, and the creation of a Data Academy that trained over 200 employees in modern data practices.

The implementation followed a value-driven migration roadmap, starting with the most critical business capabilities while maintaining business continuity. A comprehensive inventory of systems and reports ensured no critical functionality was overlooked, while the new data operating model established clear ownership and governance structures.

The Impact: Operational Excellence and Strategic Advantage

The modernization initiative delivered transformative results across multiple dimensions:

The impact extended far beyond pure technical metrics. Regulatory reporting time was slashed from 45 days to just 10 days, dramatically improving the company's ability to meet compliance requirements. The successful consolidation of ten disparate warehouses into a unified platform eliminated data silos and created a foundation for personalized customer engagement initiatives. Perhaps most significantly, the project catalyzed a cultural transformation, with employees embracing data-driven decision-making and modern working practices. This cultural shift, combined with the modern technology stack, has made the company an attractive destination for top talent in the industry.

Technologies Used: Azure SQL, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, Power BI, Informatica, Azure Databricks, Collibra, Terraform