Fujitsu unifies global platform with DXP Cloud, enhancing operations and balancing security with convenience through Unified Support

Realizing a globally consolidated platform through DXP Cloud

Fujitsu Limited is promoting the “One Fujitsu” self-improvement initiative to realize its purpose, which is to “bring trust to society and make the world more sustainable through innovation.” Three of the most important measures are real-time management, data visualization, and standardization of business operations. To achieve these goals, the company is moving forward with a project to unify each of its major business areas into a single global standard across all group companies. The infrastructure on which our internal business systems operate is no exception.

A high level of security and speed is required for infrastructure in the DX era. “In the past, infrastructure was built on a region-by-region basis, so there was an urgent need to strengthen security governance on a global basis. We also needed to provide users with a speedy environment to respond to changes in the business environment,” recalls Tsuyoshi Tatebayashi, Senior Director, Platform Transformation Unit, Digital Systems Platform Division, Fujitsu Limited.

To solve the issues of security and speed, the company turned to DXP Cloud, their proprietary global in-house IT cloud platform. The concept was to provide users with a speedy cloud environment with security implemented on the premise of operational automation. Thus, the DXP Cloud project was launched in May 2020.

As for the rational of basing the company's DXP Cloud on Microsoft Azure, Mr. Tatebayashi explains, “It is an absolute necessity that DXP Cloud be usable globally. Also, because strengthening security governance was a top priority, we needed to achieve a quick turnaround time. Azure is considered the global standard for cloud services, the main reason we chose it, so we were able to ensure quality while meeting the quick turnaround time."

However, that was not the only point evaluated. "We evaluated Azure’s ability to leverage its advanced features for operational automation to efficiently operate the platform and maximize the platform’s effectiveness. We also emphasized the compatibility with existing Microsoft products such as Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) and Microsoft 365 for cloud ID and access management," says Mr. Tatebayashi.

Cloud-native networking with Azure is also a key component of DXP Cloud. This allows for flexible ways of working as well as security bundling that incorporates zero-trust security (the approach assuming no user or application is trusted by default).

Microsoft Unified Support + SfMC for consistent support from upstream to operations

Based on Azure, DXP Cloud is truly built from the ground up. Unlike on-premise, support is more important for building infrastructure in the cloud, which is invisible. That's why the company turned to Microsoft Unified Support, Microsoft's comprehensive enterprise support offering that helps accelerate cloud adoption, optimize IT solutions, and leverage digital technologies.

Mr. Tatebayashi talks about Unified Support as follows: "Unlike most consulting firms, Microsoft Unified Support +SfMC is there for us from upstream to operations. We were able to build the DXP Cloud environment thanks to the consistent support we received from Microsoft.”

In providing platform services, a wide range of factors is required, starting with specifications and including security and networking.

"There were many things about Azure that we didn't know unless we asked Microsoft. They continuously looked ahead and offered advice from various perspectives, including identifying issues, improving operational processes, applying security policies, simplifying payments, providing training and information, offering the latest technology, and suggesting new features. I feel that these proactive suggestions allowed us to move forward with the project with a sense of speed,” says Mr. Tatebayashi.

The design approach for building cloud-based infrastructure is significantly different from the traditional approach. “One of the advantages of using cloud services is the ease with which the latest technologies can be incorporated. We had to decide how we should configure the system, including scalability, while keeping an eye on the present and the future. We used the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure (CAF), a cloud framework developed by Microsoft, as a benchmark. We matched our requirements to the CAF, had those reviewed by Microsoft, and brushed up on the results," says Yuji Kawada, Senior Director, Platform Transformation Unit, Digital Systems Platform Division, Fujitsu Limited.

Security and convenience were key points in Fujitsu's requirements that were incorporated into the CAF. “Since the time of on-premise operations, our users have complained about the lengthy security application process for platform service delivery, and there was a strong demand for this to be eliminated with DXP Cloud. We had a strong desire for DXP Cloud to solve this problem," says Shinichi Ejiri, Senior Director, Platform Transformation Unit, Digital Systems Platform Division, Fujitsu Limited. “The key to the solution was to improve the process by applying Value Stream Mapping (VSM), as advised by Microsoft.”

VSM is a flowchart that illustrates and analyzes the steps involved in product/manufacturing and service provision. It is a method of mapping the current state of a process from start to finish and identifying waste and areas for improvement that do not contribute to added value. This enables stakeholders to examine existing processes and technologies and share information.

“After receiving a lecture on VSM from Microsoft, we put it into practice. Staff from each department, including development and operations, gathered to improve the process and to ensure security by taking a comprehensive view of the visualized process. As a result, NoOps was realized, and the three goals of reducing operational costs, improving user convenience, and ensuring security were achieved simultaneously. We have received high evaluations from our users,” says Mr. Ejiri.

DXP Cloud aims for NoOps (elimination of manual operations). The goal is to reduce the workload of operations staff and shift to innovative operations, and to achieve a service that users can use with the push of a button without having to read a manual. The challenge is that operations staff will have more work to do manually when requirements that cannot be absorbed by DevOps development are added, such as region-specific requests or additional security requirements.

Takefumi Tsunekawa, Senior Manager, Platform Transformation Unit, Digital Systems Platform Division, Fujitsu Limited, says that VSM is also being used to solve operational issues.

“There are improvements that we notice only because we are on another team,” says Mr. Tsunekawa. “There is also a concern that simply automating a process will quickly make it obsolete. We believe that the effectiveness of automation will be enhanced by improving the underlying processes,” he says.

Shifting Development Methodology from Waterfall to Agile

The company is applying Agile methodology (a development method in which development is carried out in small units through iterative implementation and testing) to strengthen its business adaptability. DXP Cloud has also incorporated the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodology, and has shifted its infrastructure development from waterfall (a development method in which projects are divided into individual processes and the processes are carried out in a steady manner) to Agile.

“The waterfall model requires a long lead time before release since development starts only after finalization of specifications. The long lead time for requirements that arise when migrating a system from on-premise to DXP Cloud can put a brake on the migration process. Therefore, we have started to move toward an agile approach. Because we are still in the middle of the process, the Program Interval (the time it takes for multiple teams to work on an agile project) is three months. In some cases, we have been able to achieve a minimum of three weeks from design to release by fine-tuning the units that provide value to the users,” said Mr. Kawada.

Agile development in DXP Cloud requires mastery of Azure’s capabilities.

“We are reassured by Microsoft's responsiveness to our efforts. The variety of information provided has also improved our ability to make proposals to the business units. For example, we were able to respond to a request from the operations department to use Azure Event Hubs, which is a hub for relaying the large number of events transmitted by devices and systems. In addition, Microsoft's advice on how to best use Azure DevOps with SAFe has led to a reduction in management costs,” says Mr. Kawada.

In some cases, new Microsoft Azure features on the DXP Cloud are provided to only a small number of users who want to use them. As requests from other users increase, and based on feedback from prior users and further evaluation, DXP Cloud will provide such features in a form that can be used by many users. Azure Container Apps, a fully managed serverless container service, is a prime example.

Generative AI to improve efficiency of development and operations and create value

The DXP Cloud project started in May 2020, was developed during FY2021, and started providing services globally in April 2022. Going forward, it will enter the phase of promoting the transition to DXP Cloud while continuing to simplify internal business systems.

“We have received feedback from users who appreciate that the security application process, which used to take five days to complete, was completed immediately with DXP Cloud. On the other hand, there are some users who are still a bit apprehensive about migrating their systems to the cloud. We believe that for the migration to be successful, it is essential for our department and the operational departments to work together. We have high expectations for Microsoft Unified Support, which provides cross-departmental support,” said Mr. Tatebayashi.

The role of DXP Cloud is not only to transform the company. It is also important to use the knowledge and know-how gained through practical application as a case study to help clients transform themselves.

DXP Cloud is also actively working on the use of generative AI, Mr. Tsunekawa said. “We received technical support from Microsoft, as well as support for holding hackathons. Right now, our main focus is on responding to user inquiries, but in the future, we plan to expand the use of AI to create value while improving efficiency of development and operations,” said Mr. Tsunekawa.

“Through the DXP Cloud project, we recognized anew that we need to change our way of thinking and awareness from conventional infrastructure,” Tatebayashi said, adding, ”I believe that the role of the infrastructure department in the future will be to provide a platform for solving social and corporate issues, and to contribute to improving the speed and quality of business through agile improvements.”