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Digital Transformation of the BMW Group

Optimizing operations and scaling IT with a flexible, cloud-first approach that reduces infrastructure complexity.

BMW Group is a global leader in premium cars and motorcycles, encompassing iconic brands like BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad. Committed to a sustainable future, BMW places a strong emphasis on resource conservation across the entire lifecycle of its products—from supply chain and production to end-of-use.

Additionally, BMW’s customer-focused services are designed to enhance their innovative mobility solutions, delivering an integrated experience that aligns with modern transportation needs.

The history of the BMW Group reaches back to 1916.

The challenge

In its journey toward digital transformation, the BMW Group sought specialized expertise to manage the complexities of a multi-cloud setup, with a strong focus on Azure.

The goal was to streamline operations and scale the IT landscape without relying heavily on traditional data centers. BMW’s ambitious Fit4Cloud initiative aimed to reduce infrastructure complexity and ensure flexibility, but the scope of digitizing across its vast global infrastructure posed unique challenges, including adapting to regulatory requirements and developing cloud fluency among its employees.

The solution

To address these needs, BMW partnered with cVation – Part of Skaylink, drawing on cVation’s extensive Azure experience to support its public cloud-first strategy. The project encompassed several key areas:

- Cloud Migration & Enabling: cVation worked closely with BMW’s teams to define and execute application migration steps to Azure. Using the “Cloud Architecture Hours” program, cVation provided dedicated Azure consulting sessions twice a week, tailoring migration tasks to meet BMW’s specific needs. This included modernizing legacy applications to run on Azure, using advanced techniques like containerization, and creating prototyping environments that aligned with BMW’s unique infrastructure.

- Cloud Consulting & Training: To ensure BMW’s workforce was fully equipped to operate in the cloud, cVation developed a comprehensive training program. This included sessions focused on Azure’s core features, such as managing resources, enhancing operational efficiency, and navigating cloud-specific security protocols. Custom workshops were also created to support various departments across BMW, providing hands-on training and enabling employees to adopt cloud-native tools confidently.

The result

Thanks to cVation’s support, BMW Group has successfully leveraged Azure to modernize its IT landscape, enhancing resilience, scalability, and operational efficiency. The migration and training efforts led to a reduction in infrastructure complexity, allowing BMW to respond more quickly to evolving demands.

A significant achievement was the migration of critical applications for BMW Bank, where cVation’s team managed to navigate stringent regulatory requirements and optimize performance on Azure. This collaboration has positioned BMW as a digital leader within the automotive industry, demonstrating the powerful impact of a focused Azure transformation strategy. Click to read more about the BMW Group.

Technologies used:

Cloud Migration & Enabling

  • Azure Cloud

  • Application Migration to Azure

  • Containerization

  • Prototyping Environments

Cloud Consulting & Training

  • Azure Core Features

  • Cloud Security Protocols

  • Cloud Resource Management

  • Custom Workshops

Infrastructure / CI/CD

  • Azure DevOps

  • Azure Pipelines

Read more about how we have implemented a Landing Zone setup as defined in the Cloud Adoption Framework for NNE.

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