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Global Logistics Case Study: 75% Savings with Citrix on AWS
See how a global logistics leader cut AWS server instances by 75% and boosted density by 500% with Citrix XenApp and Derive Technologies.
Overview
To maintain same-day delivery standards across 90 countries, a global logistics giant partnered with Derive Technologies to overhaul its aging AWS infrastructure.
By migrating from end-of-life (EOL) Citrix systems to Citrix XenApp 7.15 Enterprise Edition, the firm increased server density by 500% and reduced its active server count from 50 to 10. The tremendous transformation secured their application environment while delivering a 75% reduction in infrastructure instances and a more consistent experience for users worldwide.
Entity Overview
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Client
Leading Global Logistics, Warehouse, and Fulfillment Operation (500+ warehouses)
Industry
Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Core Challenge
End-of-life (EOL) Citrix architecture on AWS hindering same-day delivery performance
Primary Solution
Citrix XenApp 7.15 Enterprise Edition on Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Key Technologies
Citrix NetScalers, Microsoft SQL Server, Citrix Universal Profile Management, Citrix StoreFront 3.12
Service Provider
Derive Technologies (HPE Platinum Partner and Citrix Solution Advisor
How did this global logistics leader solve its critical AWS infrastructure obsolescence?
With over 50 years of experience managing mission-critical equipment and parts, this company operates on a massive scale, spanning more than 500 warehouses in 90 different countries. Their business model is built on a "single global platform" concept, where every component is integrated to provide a holistic view of the entire logistics chain.
But even a leader in global logistics can be slowed down by aging digital architecture.
The firm’s IT leadership realized that their existing AWS-hosted environment was becoming a liability rather than an asset and forced them to confront several high-stakes challenges:
- End-of-Life (EOL) Architecture: The systems relied on Citrix Web Interface 5.3 and Citrix Secure Gateway, both of which had reached EOL status and no longer received critical updates.
- Security Vulnerabilities: The legacy setup lacked the modern application-layer protection needed to secure connections to proprietary Choice Logistics systems. As a company that needs to adhere to strict international trade and data regulations, secure connections are non-negotiable.
- Inconsistent User Experience: Users logged in to their virtual desktops from various time zones often experienced inconsistent speeds or varying desktop appearances, which hampered productivity.
- Infrastructure Inefficiency: Data storage and retrieval processes were cumbersome, and the sheer number of Active Directory Group Policy Objects (GPOs), numbering 300, made system management an administrative nightmare.
To continue meeting the same-day delivery demands of their international clientele, a complete "Future State" architecture was required.
What was the step-by-step methodology for this hybrid cloud optimization?
After a competitive bidding process, Derive Technologies was selected to lead the upgrade. Derive’s experts went above and beyond a standard migration, conducting a thorough gap analysis to ensure the new hybrid cloud implementation would be both elastic and secure.
1. Gap Analysis and Strategic Recommendations
Derive’s team began by analyzing the gaps between the legacy EOL systems and the firm’s performance goals. They recommended moving to Citrix XenApp 7.15 Enterprise Edition specifically to optimize application deployment and security across their global footprint.
2. Implementing Server Density and Security
The core of the solution involved deploying Citrix NetScalers in each of the network's redundancy zones. The immediate impact was speed, but the other motive was creating a secure application environment that could handle increased user volume without compromising safety.
3. Database Consolidation
One of the most impressive technical feats was the implementation of a Microsoft SQL Server to act as the standard database for the environment. This allowed the engineering team to consolidate the cluttered management structure and effectively reduce 300 Active Directory GPOs down to just six.
4. User Profile Harmonization
To solve the "roaming experience" issues, Derive implemented Citrix Universal Profile Management. That meant whether a warehouse manager logged in from New York or Singapore, their virtual desktop looked, felt, and performed identically every single time.
What were the results of the Citrix and AWS architectural upgrade?
The migration transformed the logistics company’s IT from a fragmented legacy system into an elastic resource that scales automatically with business demand. The most significant impact was found in server efficiency and cost savings.
Why this change matters for the long-haul
For a distributor that operates across North America, IT is the true engine of the entire business. By removing the complexity of hardware management, the firm’s IT team was finally able to focus on their long-term technology roadmap rather than just keeping the lights on.
Derive Technologies proved that they were so much more than just an implementation vendor. By acting as an earnest, agnostic partner, they helped a century-old industry player embrace a future-proof architecture that scales as fast as their trucks move.
About Derive Technologies
Founded in 2000, Derive Technologies is a national provider for innovative cloud, data center and managed services. We empower clients in logistics and distribution to drive innovation with reducing complexity.
Derive technologies is certified as a Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), allowing us to serve as a high-impact, export-led partner for both private and public sector enterprises.
TRUSTED BY
We’re proud to partner with some of the most respected names in the industry, delivering innovative IT solutions that drive lasting success.
From streamlined IT operations to enhanced security, these success stories reflect the trust businesses place in Derive Technologies — and the results we deliver every day.
"When my company suffered a ransomware attack on Dec. 23, 2023, I immediately reached out to Derive for assistance. With their round-the-clock remote and on-site assistance throughout the holidays, my company was back to normal IT operations only five days later. I continue to rely upon their expert and responsive IT services to this day."
"IT Initiatives has had a highly positive experience collaborating with Derive Technologies on the Fellowship LIFE project. Your team has successfully implemented our envisioned next-generation network infrastructure, utilized to provide exceptional care and services for our clients’ residents while meeting operational needs and objectives."
“Derive worked with our IT staff, suppliers, and technology partners to optimize a unified solution in far less time and with less expense than we imagined. As trusted partners, they
went above and beyond to secure our systems and ensure our goals were met or exceeded.”
“Our IT infrastructure was on the verge of obsolescence… until Derive Technologies helped us remediate that situation. Collaborating on
an IT roadmap highlighted their insight and ability to modernize our IT environment. Now our systems are faster and ready for future enhancements — and most important, patient data is safer than ever.”
“The HPE SimpliVity solution was precisely what we needed at this point in our company’s evolution. Having the ability to tap into the advantages of cloud computing while adding even greater data security and DR/BU capabilities was something we did not think was possible. But with HPE SimpliVity and the Derive Technologies’ team, it quickly became our new reality.”
“Derive has stepped up to the plate. They understand what healthcare is about. It’s not selling me a server; it’s selling me a service that helps me take care of my patients at the end of the day.”
“The solution far exceeded our expectations in terms of both short-term and long-term business value. Our infrastructure is now the foundation for us to deliver on our commitment to our customers: Get it right the first time, every time.”
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