In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, organizations are under constant pressure to modernize their IT infrastructure — not just to improve efficiency, but to minimize costs, ensure compliance, and reduce risk. One recent OS modernization initiative illustrates the power of thoughtful planning, advanced technology, and precision execution.
The Challenge: Legacy Operating
The client — a major Financial Services enterprise with a significant data center footprint — faced a critical challenge. Their infrastructure was heavily reliant on outdated operating systems including Windows Server 2008, 2012, SQL 2012, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 6, all of which were either out of extended support or rapidly approaching expiration.
The looming costs of Extended Support Updates (ESU) from Microsoft and Red Hat posed a staggering risk of approximately $26 million over 3 years. Additionally, the infrastructure was scattered across legacy environments, making it ripe for both security vulnerabilities and operational inefficiencies. A data center consolidation was necessary — but it had to be fast, flawless, and minimally disruptive to business operations.
The Solution: A Hybrid Cloud Migration with Modernization
To address these challenges, the team launched a bold and comprehensive OS Modernization project as part of a broader data center consolidation strategy by leveraging a private deployment of Rivermeadow’s Workload Mobility Platform. The key objectives were clear:
Execution at Scale: 8,000 VMs Migrated in 5 Months
Over the course of five months, the team successfully migrated and modernized 8,000 virtual machines (VMs) —averaging an impressive 400 VMs per week. Each migration was aligned with pre-planned maintenance windows, ensuring zero unplanned downtime and 100% application layer success.
This high-speed execution was made possible by a strategic approach to volumetric planning, phased cutovers, and a powerful technology stack purpose-built for both scale and security.
Key Results: Operational Efficiency and Cost Avoidance
The project yielded exceptional outcomes across multiple dimensions:
💰 $26 million in cost avoidance on Microsoft and Red Hat extended support.
🔐 Enhanced security posture by eliminating vulnerabilities from unsupported OS versions.
🚀 Accelerated transformation through modern OS platforms and hybrid cloud enablement.
🏁 Deadlines met with zero major business disruption.
🏢 Consolidated data center footprint and reduced hardware complexity.
📜 Compliance with Regulators by migrating to supported, secure operating systems.
Why This Matters
This case underscores the importance and value of Rivermeadow’s Workload Mobility Platform. By avoiding last-minute ESU purchases and investing in a forward-looking hybrid cloud strategy, the client not only saved tens of millions but also positioned itself for future scalability and security.
About Rivermeadow
RiverMeadow is a comprehensive Workload Mobility Platform that empowers organizations to:
Whether moving from legacy infrastructure to any Public or Private Cloud, or refreshing operating systems and applications, RiverMeadow provides the tools, automation, and expertise needed for successful digital transformation.