Optus Leverages Cloud Transformation with Unified Data Platform
Optus, a major telecommunications provider, has successfully migrated its critical operational data warehouses to the cloud, implementing a Unified Data Platform (UDP). This initiative, led by CIO Mark Potter, involved partnerships with Microsoft, Tech Mahindra, and Databricks, resulting in significant improvements in data consolidation, security, and scalability.
Optus’s collaboration with these partners has enabled better user experiences, reduced latency, and a more personalized journey for customers. The move away from legacy, on-premises systems has also unlocked greater flexibility and control, as well as providing ‘evergreen platforms’.
“The technology ecosystem has evolved in a way where each part positively or negatively influences the other.”
Mark Potter explained that this interconnectedness drives collaboration and innovation among partners. He cited the development of new capabilities between Databricks and Azure, which optimizes performance, as an example of their collaborative efforts.
The Journey to the Cloud
Optus’ journey began with its enterprise data warehouse, which presented challenges in data manipulation and timeliness. According to Potter, “The data was often outdated and of questionable quality.” The need for a modern approach became apparent as the data warehouse neared its lifecycle. Optus opted to embrace a cloud-supported model, providing greater control, security, and flexibility. Harshvendra Soin, President of APJ business at Tech Mahindra, highlighted that the company provided Optus with crucial cloud data warehousing and artificial intelligence capabilities.
Building a Consortium for Success
The formation of a consortium of partners was crucial to Optus’s success. Microsoft and Tech Mahindra were long-standing partners, and Databricks was brought in to provide modern data manipulation capabilities. Potter emphasized the “radical transparency” among the partners, where issues are addressed collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes. Sarah Carney, Microsoft National CTO A/NZ, noted that this partnership enables organizations to leverage data and generative AI to deliver better experiences for both customers and employees.
Cost Optimization and Staff Training
Optus has transitioned from a fixed-cost data warehouse structure to a more variable model using the cloud, enhancing cost management. Potter explained that the company is strategic in deciding where the cloud adds value and where it might introduce risks, carefully determining elements that should remain fixed. Ultimately, cost optimization and a focus on long-term returns have been key results of UDP adoption.
To ensure that Optus staff members maximize these tools, they offer training programs through Optus University. “Skills development is a key part of our journey, and we focus on empowering our people to get the most out of the tech available to them,” said Potter. Hundreds of employees have already been trained in cloud technologies, demonstrating Optus’ commitment to developing its internal capabilities.
The Benefits of the UDP and the Road Ahead
The migration to the UDP has already enhanced data access, insights, and operational efficiency. Optus has seen a 50% reduction in operational processing time for core loads along with up to a 20% reduction in data engineering pipeline development time. According to Adam Beavis, Databricks vice president for A/NZ, this is a significant milestone. Optus plans to continue consolidating its data onto the UDP and explore further data and AI use cases, including leveraging GenAI tools to uplift customer engagement.
