The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust carries out transformative conservation work every day, but their tech infrastructure needed a transformation of its own. A standard refresh wasn’t enough – they needed a partner who could deliver the perfect solution tailored to their unique needs.
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) is all about breathing new life into our natural landscapes, showing just how crucial wetlands are to a thriving ecosystem. They’re not just leading in conservation – they’re shaping the future of our planet’s biodiversity. Across their ten UK centres, WWT is inspiring communities to play their part in preserving these essential habitats, ensuring we protect species from extinction. Their work is transformative, and it’s something we’re proud to support.
A relationship that won’t go extinct
For over ten years, Kascade has proudly partnered with Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), standing by their side as their trusted technology strategist. We’ve been through two major infrastructure refreshes together, and over time, we’ve come to know their needs like the back of our hand. When you work with someone this long, you don’t just wait until the last minute to act – you take the initiative.
A full year before WWT’s tech was due for an upgrade, we started the conversation. We weren’t just ticking a box; we wanted to make sure they had all the time in the world to explore their options and ensure a smooth, worry-free transition. Outdated systems, downtime, disruption? Not on our watch.
Creating the perfect plan
When it was time for WWT’s latest infrastructure refresh, they knew they wanted to take their first steps towards the cloud. But our role as their strategic partner wasn’t just to say “yes” to cloud – it was to ensure that whatever path they chose was the right one.
We hosted a cloud strategy session with WWT’s IT team to dive deep into their needs and requirements. Together, we evaluated all possible options – from sticking with on-premises infrastructure, to a full cloud transition, and everything in between.
But this wasn’t just about listing the possibilities – it was about truly understanding the unique challenges and intricacies of WWT’s workloads and priorities. We wanted to create a solution that ticked all the boxes, not just for today, but for the future too. As we dug deeper, it became clear that a hybrid cloud approach was the perfect fit. Some systems weren’t quite ready to make the leap to the cloud, so this balanced solution ensured they had the flexibility to meet both current needs and long-term goals.
Best of both worlds – introducing Azure Stack HCI
Azure Stack HCI was the game-changer WWT needed. It provided them with a single platform to manage both their on-premises environment and cloud workloads seamlessly. This centralised management simplified their operations, giving them a clear overview and control over all their workloads, without the complexity of juggling multiple systems.
Not only did this streamline their operations, but it also allowed WWT to significantly reduce their on-prem infrastructure, a long-term goal for their tech strategy. With the right workloads placed in the most efficient locations – whether on-prem or in the cloud – WWT could optimise their resources and scale as needed, without sacrificing performance or control.
On top of that, we set up an Azure landing zone, ensuring that the platform was built right from the start. This solid foundation gave WWT the flexibility to adapt and grow, with the confidence that they had the correct building blocks in place for future changes and expansions. With this approach, they’re not only equipped for today’s demands but well-prepared for tomorrow’s challenges, too.
Extending the team with Kascade Support
Azure Stack HCI was new territory for WWT’s IT team. They’re a small team with plenty on their plate, so to give them the backup they needed, WWT opted for our Kascade Support Hybrid service. This means they now have our technical experts as an extension of their own team. Whether they need to escalate an issue, have a question, or just want to bounce ideas around, we’re here. And when team members are off on holiday or off work poorly, we step in to keep things running smoothly, so no one feels the strain.
To top it off, WWT also invested in our Kascade Manage Azure service. This takes the day-to-day management of their Azure environment off their hands, so they can focus on strategic IT initiatives, boost productivity, and keep moving forward. With Kascade managing the system, WWT can rest easy knowing everything is in good hands, fully monitored, and well-maintained.
When you’re tackling a large-scale technology project, things rarely go exactly as planned. But Kascade were fantastic at staying flexible. Even when something wasn’t part of the original scope, they brought in the right experts at the right time to keep everything on track. Having Kascade’s team on hand has been invaluable, giving us complete peace of mind. This project was a major overhaul, upgrading nearly all of our technology, and we couldn’t have done it without Kascade’s support.
Julian D’Alberti Head of IT, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Security that leaves no gaps
WWT is serious about security, and for good reason. With their new system in place, they weren’t willing to take any chances. That’s why they turned to our Kascade Backup, powered by Druva, ensuring all their workloads – whether in Azure or on-prem – are securely backed up. Regular health checks mean WWT doesn’t have to worry about the status of their backups; they can trust that everything is working as it should. And of course, if anything comes up, our expert team is always on hand to help.
But WWT didn’t stop there. They understand that a solid backup strategy is essential, but it’s not the same as a disaster recovery (DR) plan. With Kascade Recover, they no longer need a second site with unused hardware – everything is backed up to Azure Site Recovery. This approach means WWT only pays for what they use, and with Kascade’s regular monitoring, DR failover tests, and reporting, they can relax knowing their data is secure. If questions arise, we’re always here to provide the answers.
Benefits beyond the cloud
Since adopting Azure and transitioning to a Hybrid Cloud approach, WWT has been able to retire a significant amount of outdated, insecure equipment that previously posed a security risk. The user experience has also seen a major boost, with improved speed to allow them to continue their crucial work without interuption.
In addition, with Kascade’s proactive support and services, WWT’s team can now operate with greater confidence, knowing that any potential issues will be detected and resolved before they escalate. This added layer of protection has provided invaluable peace of mind for their tech operations and reduced any security concerns.
“This project has been a crucial step in modernising our infrastructure and setting us up for the future. With Kascade as our strategic partner, we’re confident they will continue to guide us as we evolve and modernise further.”
Julian D’Alberti Head of IT, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Transformative tech for a better future
Kascade delivered more than just technology – we provided peace of mind. With Azure Stack HCI’s hybrid cloud solution, comprehensive Kascade support, and high level security and disaster recovery, WWT is fully equipped to continue their vital conservation work. Together, we’ve built a future-proof partnership, ensuring WWT can focus on what matters most: protecting our planet’s ecosystems.
