Persistent Systems Ltd./ Optum, United Health Group/ February 2025 - Present

Hwksolo Migration to ADF

Migrate on-prem SQL Server workloads and SSIS-based data processing pipelines to Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI) and Azure Data Factory (ADF). Modernize the platform by replacing infrastructure dependencies with Azure-native services and cloud-based integrations. Improve scalability, security, disaster recovery readiness, and operational efficiency while maintaining business continuity. Establish a Terraform-based Infrastructure as Code (IaC) framework to automate provisioning of Azure resources across environments. Validate migration readiness through compatibility assessments, functional testing, performance benchmarking, and data reconciliation.

Azure SQL Managed InstanceAzure Data FactoryTerraformAzure App ServiceMicrosoft Entra IDAzure Storage AccountAzure Virtual MachinesAzure Load BalancerAzure BastionData Migration Assistant (DMA)SSISAzure Networking
12+
Azure Services Provisioned
App Services, Storage, VMs, Load Balancer, Bastion, and networking
500K+
Load Test Records
Large-volume functional and performance validation
< 4 hrs
RTO Achieved
Cross-region failover and backup strategy validated
Business Challenge

The client required migrating on-prem SQL Server workloads and SSIS pipelines to Azure while replacing legacy infrastructure dependencies with cloud-native Azure services. The modernization had to maintain business continuity and deliver measurable performance gains at scale.

5 items

Objective

  • Migrate on-prem SQL Server workloads and SSIS-based data processing pipelines to Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI) and Azure Data Factory (ADF).
  • Modernize the platform by replacing infrastructure dependencies with Azure-native services and cloud-based integrations.
  • Improve scalability, security, disaster recovery readiness, and operational efficiency while maintaining business continuity.
  • Establish a Terraform-based Infrastructure as Code (IaC) framework to automate provisioning of Azure resources across environments.
  • Validate migration readiness through compatibility assessments, functional testing, performance benchmarking, and data reconciliation.
6 items

Solution

  • Database Migration: Used Data Migration Assistant (DMA) to assess compatibility, identify unsupported features, and execute migration to Azure SQL Managed Instance.
  • Infrastructure as Code: Built reusable Terraform modules to provision Azure App Services, Storage Accounts, Virtual Machines, Load Balancers, Bastion services, networking, and environment-specific configurations.
  • ADF Modernization: Migrated SSIS workloads and integrations using Azure Data Factory Integration Runtime and cloud-native orchestration.
  • Security and Connectivity: Implemented Microsoft Entra ID authentication, Private Endpoints, NSGs, VNet peering, and managed identities for secure communication.
  • Performance Validation: Executed functional testing and large-volume load testing with 5 lakh records to validate application, pipeline, and database performance.
  • Disaster Recovery: Configured cross-region failover capabilities, validated backup strategy, and tested RTO/RPO requirements.
5 items

Impact & Benefits

  • Infrastructure Automation: Reduced manual provisioning effort through Terraform-driven deployments.
  • Improved Scalability: Azure SQL Managed Instance and Azure services provide elastic capacity for future growth.
  • Enhanced Security: Private endpoints, Entra ID authentication, managed identities, and network isolation improve platform security.
  • Operational Resilience: Automated deployments, backup validation, disaster recovery testing, and failover readiness improve reliability.
  • Performance Optimisation: Load testing and database tuning improved execution times of critical processing workloads.
6 items

My Roles & Responsibilities

  • Defined migration roadmap, delivery milestones, RAID management, and governance framework across infrastructure, database, application, and security workstreams.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams covering cloud architects, DBAs, application teams, infrastructure engineers, and business stakeholders to ensure successful migration execution.
  • Drove Infrastructure as Code adoption and aligned Azure environment provisioning with migration timelines and release plans.
  • Led migration readiness reviews, go-live planning, functional testing sign-offs, performance validation, and disaster recovery validation.
  • Managed stakeholder communication, risk mitigation, dependency tracking, and executive status reporting throughout the programme.
  • Ensured successful delivery of a cloud modernization initiative covering Azure SQL MI migration, ADF modernization, infrastructure automation, security compliance, and operational readiness.