Rimo3 helps Outokumpu reduce time to migrate 1742 apps to Microsoft Intune and Azure Virtual Desktop by more than 90%

Outokumpu serves industries that require durable, corrosion-resistant material for diverse applications ranging from automobiles and appliances to buildings and infrastructure. The company focuses on producing high-quality stainless-steel products with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation—including a product line that produces up to a 93% lower carbon footprint compared to the industry average.

Outokumpu struggled with an outdated IT infrastructure, including 13 legacy Citrix farms, some more than 20 years old, and over 1,500 predominantly homegrown applications. It faced frequent downtime because of incompatibility with Windows updates, costing up to €288,000 a day for a single application. Additionally, manual testing was labor-intensive and inefficient, leading to delays and increased costs. The company needed a streamlined solution for modernization and cloud migration.

Outokumpu turned to Rimo3 for help. Founded in 2019, Rimo3 works across multiple industries that require robust and reliable IT infrastructures, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Its mission is to safeguard enterprises with automated Windows application lifecycle management, supporting seamless migrations for Windows OS, VDI and cloud workspaces, and patch management.

Rimo3 on Microsoft Azure accelerates application modernization and reduces downtime

To automate the migration and testing of its extensive application infrastructure, Outokumpu purchased Rimo3 on Azure Marketplace, bypassing the traditional time-consuming procurement process. Additionally, the Azure Marketplace facilitated the easy deployment of Rimo3, accelerating the implementation process.

The project involved migrating applications to Azure Virtual Desktop and Citrix Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS). Outokumpu also transitioned from Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based endpoint management solution, to enhance control and efficiency of device management.

Rimo3 automated the assessment, modernization, and migration processes, transforming Outokumpu's IT environment. The Rimo3 platform's automated smoke testing ensured all applications were compatible with the latest Windows updates, preventing downtime and disruptions.

Azure played a pivotal role in the transformation, providing the necessary infrastructure and tools for seamless cloud migration. Azure integration with Citrix DaaS and Microsoft Intune enabled Outokumpu to efficiently deploy and manage virtual desktops and devices, offering a scalable solution for its global operations.

"Outokumpu's planning and adoption of cloud-first strategies with Microsoft Azure and Intune were driven by a balance of moving away from legacy debt while embracing innovation around modern management processes," said Samit Halvadia, CTO of Rimo3. “By integrating Rimo3's automated and data-driven approach to testing, migration, and modern management, they were able to achieve both a rapid and low-risk migration as well as innovative, streamlined ongoing processes and timelines for application management. All while reducing downtime and achieving substantial cost savings.”

Outokumpu migrates 1,742 apps in eight days instead of four months

Outokumpu's implementation of Rimo3 and Microsoft solutions created a streamlined and efficient IT infrastructure. The migration of 1,742 applications to Microsoft Intune and Azure Virtual Desktop was accelerated from four months to just eight days, more than a 90% reduction in migration time. This efficiency not only saved Outokumpu €120,000 annually in SCCM software licensing but also enabled the company to avoid €331,000 in labor costs associated with manual application testing and migration. Finally, Rimo3's automated smoke testing significantly reduced application downtime, which previously could cost the company up to €288,000 a day per application.

The transition to a modern cloud-based infrastructure using Azure Virtual Desktop and Microsoft Intune also improved scalability and flexibility, allowing Outokumpu to better manage its global operations. The standardized application packaging ensured compatibility and compliance with the new environment, further improving productivity and reducing time spent on troubleshooting and remediation.

Outokumpu's business is in a stronger position, with a more reliable and efficient IT infrastructure, significant cost savings, and improved operational efficiency.

"Outokumpu's move to Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop and Intune, supported by their forward-thinking approach, has revolutionized their application management processes," said James Graham, Product Leader, Rimo3. “The flexibility of cloud-first strategies powered by proactive insights from the Rimo3 platform, has minimized operational disruptions and allowed Outokumpu to concentrate on their core business objectives, driving efficiency and innovation.”