Cloud Rx: Precise migration of medical applications
Mit DevOps-Best Practices zu Datenschutz, Skalierbarkeit und Zuverlässigkeit bei B.Braun.
Kennzahlen
- ↑ 50 %
Faster deployment through automated CI/CD pipelines.
- ↓ 30 %
Less downtime thanks to optimized cloud infrastructure.
- ↓ 20 %
Cost savings in operation and maintenance through cloud migration.
Operation Cloud
B. Braun commissioned us to migrate their critical medical applications to the cloud. The goal was to meet data protection and compliance requirements while increasing reliability and security and creating a flexible, scalable infrastructure. A team of 30 experts was mobilized to introduce DevOps best practices, integrate automated testing and deployments, and meet stringent healthcare requirements.
The digital tightrope act
The migration of the applications had to meet the highest requirements in terms of data protection (GDPR, HIPAA). Detailed data classification and the use of complex encryption strategies were essential. Tight access control also had to be implemented to ensure full compliance.
Another obstacle was the automation of tests and deployments. The existing manual processes hindered the ability to react quickly to changes, which is inefficient and risky in a constantly evolving cloud environment. It was necessary to create an end-to-end continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) pipeline that not only ensured the quality of the software, but also guaranteed security with each new deployment. Without full automation of testing and deployment, the reliability of the system would not have been maintained, especially considering the industry-specific security requirements.
Finally, the complexity of the migration was a significant problem. The existing monolithic systems, which were deeply rooted in the existing infrastructure, had to be redesigned for the cloud environment. This included the containerization of applications and the introduction of microservices to enable a modern, scalable architecture. The transition from a traditional monolithic architecture to a flexible and scalable cloud solution required extensive adjustments to the applications and the underlying infrastructure. Only by closely integrating DevOps practices and cloud strategies could we successfully manage this complexity and ensure a smooth migration.
Cloud 9 as medicine
The migration of the critical medical applications to the cloud was realized with a clearly structured plan and precise implementation, with each phase precisely tailored to the specific requirements and challenges.
First, we started with planning and structuring. We divided the 30-strong team into function-specific groups, each responsible for one of the critical areas of the migration: Migration, Compliance and the integration of DevOps best practices. This structure allowed for efficient and focused collaboration to ensure that all aspects of the migration could be implemented smoothly and on time.
Microsoft Azure was chosen as the platform for the secure cloud migration. We carried out detailed infrastructure planning, taking into account all security and compliance requirements. The migration of the applications was carried out in a strictly controlled environment to ensure integrity and data protection throughout the process. Particular attention was paid to the scalability and flexibility offered by Azure's cloud infrastructure.
We then implemented DevOps best practices to optimize the entire migration and subsequent management of the applications. We implemented automated CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps and Terraform, which not only increased efficiency, but also minimized sources of error and made the entire deploy process more secure. In addition, we implemented security policies through Azure Active Directory and Key Vault to control and protect access to sensitive data. The containerization of the applications using Docker and their management via AKS (Azure Kubernetes Service) ensured high scalability and flexibility in the infrastructure.
To ensure continuous monitoring and security, we used advanced monitoring solutions such as Prometheus and Grafana to monitor and continuously optimize the performance of the applications in real time. In addition, we carried out security scans with tools such as Aqua Security to identify and eliminate potential vulnerabilities at an early stage.
Finally, the success of the migration was checked. By using automated test frameworks and end-to-end deployments, it was possible to validate the migration and ensure that all applications functioned as intended in the new environment and met the high requirements for security, data protection and compliance.
ROI on prescription
In medicine, it is not only the symptoms that count, but above all the healing successes. So let's take a look at the effects of our therapy:
- + 60 %
Steigerung der Systemzuverlässigkeit durch Echtzeit-Überwachung.
- + 25 %
Verbesserung der Applikationsleistung durch Microservices-Architektur.
- ↑ 40 %
schnellere Markteinführungen neuer Features durch DevOps.
- ↓ 15 %
geringerer Verwaltungsaufwand durch automatisierte IaC (Infrastructure as Code).
- ↑ 35 %
höhere Benutzerzufriedenheit durch verbesserte Anwendungsverfügbarkeit.
Inspiration from practice
Unser Migration-Projekt bei B. Braun zeigt, wie DevOps und Cloud-Migration selbst in streng regulierten Branchen wie dem Gesundheitswesen und der Fertigung bahnbrechende Veränderungen bewirken können. Das Beste daran? Dieser Ansatz eröffnet endlose Möglichkeiten für Innovation auch in vielen anderen Industrien, von smarter Predictive Maintenance bis hin zu sicherer IoT-Überwachung für kritische Geräte. Lasst euch inspirieren!
Here are more exciting inspirations from our ideas factory:
Predictive maintenance for medical devices
With a robust cloud infrastructure and advanced analytics tools such as machine learning, medical devices can be continuously monitored and proactive maintenance measures can be taken before system failures occur. The integration of IoT sensors and real-time data processing enables predictive maintenance that reduces downtime and extends the service life of devices.
Secure IoT integrations for real-time monitoring
In areas such as manufacturing or healthcare, real-time monitoring of machines and devices is critical to operations. Using DevOps methods to implement secure IoT networks and APIs not only enables real-time processing of sensor data, but also ensures the security and compliance of the entire system architecture. This creates a scalable, future-proof solution for critical infrastructures.
Development of scalable platforms for digital health solutions
Cloud-native approaches, combined with containerized applications and microservices, provide the basis for the development of flexible and scalable platforms that are geared towards digital healthcare solutions. This enables the integration of electronic patient records (EPR), telemedicine and AI-supported diagnostic tools that are both data protection-compliant and high-performance.
Our tech kit
Wir setzten auf eine maßgeschneiderte Auswahl der besten Tools, um höchste Effizienz und nahtlose IT-Prozesse in einer hochregulierten Branche zu gewährleisten:
Cloud drive
With Microsoft Azure, we have created a scalable and reliable cloud infrastructure that enables flexible adaptation to changing requirements.
Container Crafters
Using Docker and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), we have containerized and orchestrated applications to ensure fast and scalable deployment.
DevOps guru
With Azure DevOps, Terraform and Chef, we automated infrastructure provisioning and optimized the CI/CD pipeline for faster and more secure releases.
Monitor Maestro
Thanks to Prometheus, Grafana and Azure Monitor, we were able to ensure seamless real-time monitoring of services and continuous improvement in service quality.
Security Guardians
With Azure Active Directory, Azure Key Vault and Aqua Security, we ensure secure management of identities and sensitive data in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Data dynamo
Azure SQL Database and Azure Cosmos DB provide us with a highly available and scalable data architecture for the fast and secure processing of business data.
Code Wizards
Using C++, we have developed customized, high-performance applications that are perfectly tailored to B. Braun's requirements.
Collaboration experts
With Confluence and Jira, we have established efficient documentation and agile project management that optimizes collaboration and traceability.