Hybrid platform is the best solution for Alko – “We are in safe hands with Enfo” .

When Alko published the tender for the hybrid cloud entity, the company became convinced of Enfo's knowledge of hybrid platforms and their professionalism. Enfo's offer was the most credible and of the highest quality. The operating models were well thought through, as were their ideas on how to operate in a hybrid environment.

“The offer also stood out in terms of its definition of the necessary expert services and the appropriate use of public and private cloud services,” says Kaapro Kanto, CIO of Alko. “Enfo has a clear understanding of both aspects and is also able to develop an operating model that responds to the customer's needs.”

Alko relies on the so-called “cloud first” strategy. The company aims for the public cloud to provide for ready-made platform services with a high degree of automation, which will serve as a platform for data and digital channels. On the other hand, some traditional applications and systems, such as ERP, favor the use of private cloud and may not yet be cloud-ready.

“At the heart of our business is not running IT, but instead maximizing the level of service. We believe that the public cloud produces ready-made solutions that we can deploy and also replace as needed in order to meet business needs. The cloud is like a candy store, from which we can get exactly the utility we need.”

End-user satisfaction improved with the new platform

Alko is pleased with the project, which has remained on schedule and on budget. Enfo’s skilled project managers are praised, together with other parts of the project.

“The initial preparations and surveys of the current environment created a feeling of confidence and strengthened our belief that we are in the hands of professionals,” shares Kanto. “We got the impression that the current environment would be migrated without issue into the new world, and that’s exactly what happened. The project was carried out by Enfo at a good pace and with great professionalism.”

Potential risks were identified in advance and also addressed so that the project did not slow down at any point. According to Kanto, the plans were adjusted to meet the deadline. When the project was completed, the feedback from end users has been good: thanks to the more efficient platforms, the applications also run more smoothly. Responsibilities have also been clarified and things have been better documented.

Kanto suggests that in similar projects, the most important thing is to understand your own current situation and the constraints it imposes. “The only surprise we had was that the current situation was not understood thoroughly enough when we began to move the whole thing forward. However, Enfo helped us address the risks,” explains Kanto. “In projects like this, you should always be prepared for the worst, even if the plans look good. This is one of the biggest possible transition exercises for companies, so it is really worth preparing for the risks,” Kanto summarizes.

Alko Oy is a limited liability company owned by the Finnish state. The company’s primary goals are social, not business-oriented. Responsibility is at the heart of Alko's operations. Alko fulfills its responsible role in several ways, for example, by ensuring that products are sold and purchased responsibly. Alko wants to help guide and promote Finnish food and drink culture in an even better direction.

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