Rackspace transforms data into an enabler

Starting from scratch

When faced with its own data challenges, it turned to the same experts that its customers depend on to modernize data operations.

The company’s existing data landscape was littered with silos, on-premises hardware, expensive licenses and no unified data strategy. The goal was to implement a new data platform and processes to predict business outcomes in a timely manner and enable leadership to take action on those predictions.

Focusing on key business metrics, the Rackspace Technology Global Data Office started from scratch to build a data organization, get organizational buy-in, design a strategy and migrate multiple data warehouses against a contract-driven timeline.

Working with Professional Services, the Rackspace Technology Global Data Office assessed the current infrastructure and moved into solution design. “We looked at multiple clouds and Professional Services helped us evaluate the benefits of each cloud – ease of implementation, scalability and cost,” recalled Juan Riojas, Rackspace Technology Chief Data Officer. While working on the technical side of the modernization project, the Global Data Office also worked internally to bring together a team of both data experts and product expertise to plan the portfolio and roadmap. “In order for us to modernize our data, we also had to modernize how we operate,” explained Lara Indrikovs, Director of Product Management, Global Data at Rackspace Technology.

Data becomes a business enabler

Working closely with the Rackspace Technology Professional Services team, the entire data modernization project which should have taken 12 months was completed in 5 months. By eliminating its on-premises infrastructure and licensing obligations, the team has freed up more than a million dollars that can be invested elsewhere in the company.

As a result of the team’s new skillsets, it has reduced the need for contractors and other outside services, saving an additional $2.5 million. “We absorbed the work of 52 contractors, and we only added 18 people,” shared Riojas. Due to the enhanced ability to see and react to data, the Global Data Office has been able provide higher quality data and improved models to reduce churn. Cost benefits aside, Riojas described the biggest benefit of the data modernization project, “Because of all the dashboards that we have in place, our data is driving better insights. Through deeper understanding of the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ behind customer needs, we can better recommend the ‘how.’”

Going forward, the team intends to use its new data capabilities to continuously improve its ability to support broader corporate objectives and deliver key results.