Client Profile

Customer Name: Reach plc

Established: 1832

Employees: 1,000+

Sector: Technology, Information and Media

Reach plc is the UK and Ireland’s largest commercial news publisher. Reach plc manages 120+ print and online brands, reaching 70% of the UK’s online population and are ranked number 1 with audiences in the UK and Ireland.

We partnered with Reach plc to modernise their cloud storage infrastructure by replacing their legacy NetApp ONTAP system with AWS FSx for NetApp (FSxN), a fully managed, scalable, and secure storage solution. The project aimed to reduce operational costs, improve security, and streamline storage management across two AWS regions (eu-west-1 and eu-west-2).

The users of this solution include internal IT teams, application owners, and business units that rely on cloud storage for daily operations such as backups, file sharing, and data hosting.

This solution is highly repeatable for other enterprises facing similar challenges with legacy storage systems, particularly those operating in multi-region cloud environments with complex IAM requirements.

The project is notable for its seamless execution, significant cost savings, and enhanced security posture, making it a compelling example of cloud transformation in the media and publishing industry.

Reach plc’s operations span multiple AWS regions, faced growing challenges with their existing NetApp ONTAP storage solution hosted in the cloud. The legacy system was becoming increasingly costly to maintain, both in terms of licensing fees and operational overhead. The customer was incurring a 6-figure annual license fee for NetApp and experiencing inefficiencies due to manual maintenance and loose IAM configurations.

The client needed a more secure, scalable, and cost-effective solution that could be implemented with minimal disruption to ongoing operations.

Their goals included;

  • decommissioning the legacy NetApp infrastructure before the end of 2024
  • improving access control through role-based permissions
  • reducing the overall cost of cloud storage

Additionally, they sought to simplify the management of storage volumes and integrate more effectively with other AWS services such as CloudWatch, DataSync, and AWS Backup.

If these challenges were not addressed, Reach plc risked continued high costs, increased security risks, and operational inefficiencies that could impact service delivery and compliance. Different user groups, including IT administrators and business analysts, would have continued to face delays, data access issues, and potential data integrity concerns. The project was therefore critical not only for cost optimisation but also for ensuring the long-term scalability, security, and performance of Reach plc’s cloud infrastructure.

Solution

We proposed and delivered a comprehensive migration of Reach pl’s cloud storage from NetApp ONTAP to AWS FSx for NetApp (FSxN), a fully managed service that offers scalable, high-performance file storage integrated with AWS. The solution was designed to address the customer’s key challenges around cost, security, and operational complexity.

The project began with a detailed pre-migration assessment to understand the existing environment and identify the optimal migration strategy. This included evaluating data volumes, performance requirements, and access patterns across both production and development environments.

The migration process was executed in phases, starting with a test migration of a development volume using SnapMirror to replicate data from EC2 instances to FSxN. This allowed the team to validate performance, bandwidth usage, and data integrity before proceeding with production workloads. Once validated, we coordinated with Reach plc to schedule downtime windows for final cutovers, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations. During these windows, all relevant servers and scripts were updated to point to the new FSxN volumes, and post-migration testing was conducted to confirm successful data access and functionality.

A key component of the solution was the redesign of the IAM model. we implemented a new role-based access control system that restricted edit and delete permissions to a dedicated storage role, accessible only to authorised AD group members. This significantly improved security by ensuring that only explicitly authorised users could perform critical actions on storage volumes. Users were required to log in with the specific storage role, adding an additional layer of control and auditability.

To support ongoing operations, we integrated monitoring and logging using Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudTrail, and Opsview. These tools provided real-time visibility into system performance, user activity, and potential security incidents. Infrastructure deployment was automated using AWS CloudFormation templates stored in Bitbucket, enabling consistent, repeatable deployments and full version control.

The solution also included the decommissioning of legacy NetApp infrastructure, with a detailed schedule of cutovers and clean-up activities completed before the December 2024 deadline. We continue to support the solution through its ASPIRE Managed Services, providing monitoring, incident management, and continuous optimisation to ensure the environment remains secure, efficient, and aligned with Reach plc’s evolving needs.

Outcomes

The migration to AWS FSx for NetApp delivered substantial benefits to Reach plc, both in terms of cost savings and operational efficiency.

  • One of the most immediate and measurable outcomes was the elimination of the 6-figure annual NetApp license, which was not renewed after the successful migration
  • Additionally, the project resulted in a $40k monthly reduction in AWS costs compared to the period when NetApp was still in use. This included a $20k drop in Production/DR AWS costs in January 2025 alone, and a 90,333 GB/month reduction in data usage, saving approximately $9,035 per month
  • Operationally, the new FSxN environment significantly reduced the complexity of managing storage volumes
  • The implementation of role-based access controls improved security and reduced the risk of unauthorised or accidental modifications
  • The new IAM model also simplified permission management, making it easier for administrators to assign and audit access rights. This led to a 46% reduction in inter-AZ traffic and a 19.4% decrease in WorkSpace running costs, further contributing to the overall cost efficiency of the solution
  • From a user perspective, the transition to FSxN was seamless. Post-migration testing confirmed that users could access and interact with the new CIFS shares without issues, and the improved performance and reliability of the FSxN environment enhanced user satisfaction
  • The integration with AWS monitoring tools provided greater visibility into system health and performance, enabling faster issue resolution and proactive management

“…after the fantastic migration from NetApp to FSxN we can now see the direct results within AWS”

John Grant, Senior Solutions Architect, Reach plc

Overall, the project was delivered on time and within budget, meeting all of Reach plc’s objectives. The combination of cost savings, improved security, enhanced performance, and simplified operations demonstrates the value of the solution and highlights our capability in delivering complex cloud transformation projects.

Innovation

We added value by implementing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using AWS CloudFormation integrated with Bitbucket, enabling consistent and repeatable deployments. This approach provided full version control and reduced the risk of configuration drift. Additionally, the use of SnapMirror for phased data migration minimised downtime and ensured data integrity. These innovations not only streamlined the migration process but also empowered Reach plc with a more agile and maintainable infrastructure.

The estimated value of these initiatives lies in the reduced operational overhead and faster deployment cycles, which continue to benefit the customer post-migration.

Sustainability

The migration to AWS FSxN contributed to Reach plc’s sustainability goals by reducing the need for manual infrastructure management and enabling more efficient use of cloud resources.

By decommissioning legacy systems and consolidating storage, the project reduced energy consumption and carbon footprint associated with maintaining on-premise or manually managed cloud infrastructure. Automation and cloud-native services also minimised the need for physical hardware and reduced the environmental impact of IT operations.

Environmental, social and governance

This project supported Reach plc’s ESG objectives by enhancing data governance through improved access controls and auditability. The use of AWS CloudTrail enabled comprehensive tracking of user activity, supporting compliance and transparency.

Additionally, the project empowered internal teams with modern tools and practices, contributing to staff development and operational resilience.