Cloud Migration Solutions for Auto Parts Retail Company

Introduction

• Discussing the solutions for migrating an auto parts retail company’s services to the cloud.
• Key points will be listed to consider when answering interview questions.

Problem Statement

• Company Overview:
  • Asset value: $10 billion
  • Customers: 5 million
  • Monthly transaction volume: 7 million transactions
  • Revenue Sources: 95% in-person stores, 5% online stores
• Reason for Migration:
  • Increasing maintenance and CAPEX charges on on-prem services.
  • Desire to move 95% in-person transactions online.
• Time Frame for Implementation: 3 weeks
• Explanation Duration: 60 minutes during the interview.

Key Considerations Before Providing a Solution

Clarity Is Key

• Do not rush into solutions.
  • List questions for clarity regarding the interview question.

Resource Availability

• Ask about available resources:
  • Number of resources for the project.
  • Skill levels of those resources.

Strategy for Implementation

• Determine if a hybrid cloud strategy or full public cloud strategy is appropriate.
• Assess the skill set of resources and consider short-term vs. long-term solutions:
  • Lift and Shift if cloud-native.
  • Additional development required for non-cloud-native applications.

Provide Multiple Solutions

• Present multiple options for solutions, allowing the interviewer to choose.
• Rollout in stages to mitigate risks.

Customer Volume and Region

• Analyze customer volume by region:
  • Focus on regions with high customer density.
  • Start with lower transaction volumes to test systems before handling larger volumes.

Questions to Ask the Interviewer

1. Current State Architecture:
   • What is the present architecture (on-prem applications, private cloud databases, etc.)?
2. Real Intention for the Move to Cloud:
   • What prompts the shift to cloud?
3. Customer Density and Location:
   • Which regions have high customer density?
4. UI/UX Technologies:
   • Are they cloud-native? Any adjustments needed?
5. Middleware and Legacy Technologies:
   • What technologies are being used? Are they cloud-compatible?
6. Database Considerations:
   • How is the database structured? What migration strategies are needed?
7. Availability and Disaster Recovery:
   • Are there existing recovery mechanisms?
8. Containerization:
   • What containerization strategies are being used?

Business Impact Considerations

• Understand the business impact of migration:
  • Cost savings:
    • Reduce CAPEX and maintenance costs.
  • Recovery and rollback plans if the migration fails.
  • Determine the budget for the migration.
  • Evaluate the time frame and feasibility of migration within three weeks.

Solutions to Consider

Migration Options

1. Lift and Shift:
   • Migrate both application and database to the cloud.
2. Hybrid Approach:
   • Keep the database on-premises while migrating the application to the cloud.
3. Containerization:
   • Leverage existing containerized applications, if applicable.
   • Use platforms like Kubernetes or OpenShift in the cloud.

High-Level Architecture Diagram

• Provide a rough diagram illustrating:
  • Current state versus target state.
  • Resources required (app engines, compute engines, DB services).
  • Focus on key services needed for a successful migration.

High Availability and Performance

• Compare Legacy architecture with cloud architecture regarding:
  • High availability, scalability, resilience, security, and maintainability.

Advantages of Cloud Migration

• Highlight benefits such as:
  • High availability, ease of management, and cost savings compared to on-prem solutions.

Conclusion

• Summarize strategic considerations, solutions, and importance of clarity when addressing migration challenges in an interview setting.
• Encourage preparation and structured thinking when presenting solutions to potential problems.