Iké is an assistance services company that faced the challenge of upgrading its server infrastructure.
Iké improved data availability and security with Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Lake, Azure Databricks and Azure AI Services.
This digital transformation allowed Iké to achieve 99% data maturity, be more efficient, reduce costs and democratize access to information.
We had to decide between upgrading our servers or changing our way of working.
Pablo Bravo, Head of Data Analytics, Iké
Iké is a Mexican company with journey of 30+ years that focuses on assistance services in the Latin American market. Since 2006, it has expanded its presence to four countries in the region. The company is renowned for offering a wide range of digital solutions in Health & Wellbeing, Travel, Connectivity, Security and personalized projects. The services include terrestrial and air ambulances, road assistance, domestic technical services, medical services, travel insurance, concierge, and veterinary care, available 24/7 with omnichannel services via web app, WhatsApp and phone.
In 2018, Iké faced a crucial challenge: upgrading its server architecture. “We had to decide between upgrading our servers or changing our way of working,” remembers Pablo Bravo, Head of Data Analytics at Iké. To improve efficiency and information availability, the company decided to explore cloud solutions. The journey was about to start, but first, a team had to be formed.
Working on Azure not only improved the information availability, but we can also save and enjoy benefits.
Francisco Javier Alvarado, Data Engineering Manager, Iké
The partnership with Nubiral, a Microsoft Solution Partner, made it easy for Iké to migrate its infrastructure to Microsoft Azure. From there, the company could rely on the services from Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Azure SQL Database, and Microsoft Azure Data Lake, among others. Francisco Javier Alvarado, Data Engineering Manager at Iké, highlights: “Working on Azure not only improved the information availability, but we can also save and enjoy benefits.”
The adoption of advanced tools such as Microsoft Azure Databricks and Microsoft Azure AI Services was crucial to enhance the internal processes. Gabriel Camarena, Executive Director of Business Intelligence at Iké, emphasizes the importance of understanding the goals: “We assessed the advantages of being a data-driven company and saw an opportunity in Azure.”
99% data optimization, governance & security
During the implementation, there were internal training sessions and collaboration with Microsoft to prepare the team on the use of Azure solutions. Additionally, a data semantic layer was created to facilitate advanced analytics. “We worked with Nubiral and Microsoft to create a semantic layer that would allow us to generate analyses with information held by the company,” Bravo adds.
With the digital transformation underway, Iké obtained quick results. Migrating to the cloud and implementing advanced infrastructure made the company more efficient and reduced operational costs. “Now, the entire company access information in different dashboards, without the need of multiple licenses as before,” the Head of Data Analytics highlights.
Among the achievements, he highlights data democratization. “Azure allowed us to take decisions based on real data, not on assumptions. This significantly improved our efficiency and responsiveness,” adds Gabriel Camarena. The ability to understand and use data has optimized not only internal processes but also customer engagement, allowing the company to offer products and services more aligned with market needs.
In this case, the creation of data architecture and the semantic layer brought key benefits: providing real-time information for immediate business analysis, especially in areas that engage directly with clients during emergencies. It achieved 99% data maturity, standardized a governance model, and ensured its security.
Data maturity refers to the level at which a company is capable of effectively managing and exploring its data. It not only implies access to large volumes of data, but also the ability to integrate, analyze and convert this information into data-oriented decisions. "The company was seeking to get the information closer to all levels, and this is what we achieved,” Camarena concludes. Currently, over 3,900 employees in the region benefit from Azure.
Azure allowed us to take decisions based on real data, not on assumptions. This significantly improved our efficiency and responsiveness.
Gabriel Camarena, Executive Director of Business Intelligence, Iké
Iké continues to advance in its digital transformation and embrace new technologies. The company has developed successful models for demand planning and vehicle management in service provision. One of the most notable developments is the project to adopt technologies like ChatGPT, which is expected to significantly improve response times at the Solutions Center for events such as claims. With over 2.6 million users annually, Iké plans to keep exploring AI projects to optimize its operations.
Looking ahead, Iké is committed to continuous innovation in the sector, the ongoing adoption of new technology, and the constant development of its team. This positions the company well to streamline its operations and offer efficient solutions to clients.
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