Simplify AWS Accounts via Landing Zone Consolidation

Tata Communications IZO™+ Multi Cloud Connect is a cutting-edge software-defined interconnect-as-a-service solution meticulously crafted to streamline multi-cloud connectivity. It empowers enterprises to securely and seamlessly integrate their diverse applications, data centres, branch offices, and various cloud environments, all orchestrated through a unified “single pane of glass” management interface.

This document is part of an ongoing series detailing real-world customer success stories, illustrating the transformative “before and after” scenarios achieved through our innovative solutions. Here, we present the third instalment in our Landing Zone Consolidation series, showcasing another critical variant of this strategic approach.

Recalling landing zone consolidation: part 1

To set the stage, you may recall our previous discussion in Landing Zone Consolidation – Part 1. In that case, we demonstrated how Tata Communications successfully helped a customer in the financial services industry consolidate multiple internet gateways, Next-Generation Firewalls (Palo Alto NGFW), and compute VMs. The outcome was a streamlined, highly efficient setup that operated seamlessly across a complex, multi-cloud environment comprising AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. This initial case highlighted the significant benefits of reducing redundant components within a diverse cloud footprint.

Understanding AWS parent-child account structures

This case study is a different, yet equally impactful, variant of landing zone consolidation – a scenario we successfully addressed for another prominent financial services company. This case specifically involves a common architectural pattern: multiple child AWS accounts linked to a single parent AWS account.

Before we explore the customer’s specific challenges, it’s essential to understand why companies adopt such a structure. Organisations typically use a parent-child AWS account hierarchy to enable secure, scalable, and highly manageable multi-account environments. This approach enables a logical alignment of cloud operations with distinct business units, specific projects, or varying compliance requirements. It is widely considered a best practice for any growing or complex AWS deployment, as it provides a framework for governance, billing, and resource isolation.

The customer’s challenge: Network and security sprawl

While the parent-child AWS account structure provided a logical and effective way for our customer to manage their internal operations and departmental segregation, it inadvertently created a significant operational “nightmare” for their IT management team. The inherent design of having separate environments for each child account resulted in a proliferation of network and security devices within the landing zone of each individual AWS account.

This led to a fragmented infrastructure where each child account might necessitate its own set of internet gateways, firewalls, and other network components. The cumulative effect was an unmanageable sprawl of devices, licenses, and configurations. Despite the logical separation at the account level, the underlying network and security layers became increasingly complex, difficult to monitor, and costly to maintain. This scenario is a classic example of how a seemingly logical cloud structure can lead to operational inefficiencies if not managed with an overarching multi-cloud connectivity strategy.

Tata Communications’ solution: Intelligent landing zone consolidation

Naturally, the customer approached Tata Communications seeking a resolution to this escalating complexity and cost. For their specific scenario, Landing Zone Consolidation via Tata Communications IZO™+ Multi Cloud Connect was an obvious and ideal fit.

Our solution focused on a comprehensive consolidation of all redundant network and security components across their multiple child AWS accounts. A key aspect of this consolidation was the replacement of numerous individual internet gateways with a centralised internet connectivity solution provided by Tata Communications. This strategic move not only simplified their network architecture but also laid the groundwork for significant operational improvements.

Learn How: A major automotive company accelerated its de-merger with multi-cloud connect.

Accrued benefits: Simplicity, cost-efficiency, and scalability

The implementation of Tata Communications IZO™+ Multi Cloud Connect delivered a multitude of benefits to the financial services company:

• Simplified network architecture: By consolidating network and security components, the customer achieved a dramatically simplified network architecture, eliminating the complexity associated with managing disparate devices across numerous child accounts.
• Ease of management via a single pane of glass: The IZO™+ Multi Cloud Connect solution provides a unified management interface, allowing the customer to oversee and control all their consolidated network and security elements from a single pane of glass. This significantly reduced management overhead and improved operational efficiency.
• Lower cost of operations: A direct and tangible benefit was the reduction in operational costs. By consolidating and optimising the network and security components, the number of licensed devices and services within their architecture was significantly reduced, leading to substantial savings.
• Future-ready scalability: The implemented solution is inherently scalable. It is designed to seamlessly accommodate additional child AWS accounts as the customer’s business grows. Furthermore, the architecture is open and ready to connect to other public clouds, such as an Azure landing zone or a GCP landing zone, should that need arise in the future, ensuring robust multi-cloud connectivity.

Also Read: SBC infrastructure optimisation with IZO™ Multi-Cloud Connect.

Is your organisation facing similar challenges?

Such scenarios, involving multiple child cloud-provider accounts and the associated network and security complexities, are increasingly common in today’s multi-cloud landscape. If your organisation identifies with this challenge and needs a solution for managing and optimising your fragmented cloud accounts, we encourage you to explore the transformative capabilities of Tata Communications IZO™+ Multi Cloud Connect.

Schedule a consultation with us to discover how our expertise can help you resolve your specific challenges. Additionally, explore Tata Communications IZO™+ Multi Cloud Connect to learn more about its comprehensive features and how it can streamline your cloud operations. Start your trial today!