Case Study

Challenges

Portalink's clients, such as Rhino-Rack and Kincrome, faced significant challenges with manual order processing and compliance maintenance. The manual processes were labor-intensive, prone to errors, and hindered operational efficiency. For instance, Rhino-Rack had to manage thousands of purchase orders monthly, which strained their resources and slowed down their order-to-shipment cycles, let alone the required high levels of compliance required.

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Solution

By integrating 6pillars' AUTOMATE+ platform, Portalink automated critical compliance and security processes. Key features of the solution included:

• Automated Compliance Checks: Continuous monitoring and automated remediation of compliance deviations using AWS-native services.

• Improved Security Posture: Automated security responses helped mitigate risks and enhance overall security.

• Operational Efficiency: Reduced the need for manual interventions, allowing the IT team to focus on strategic initiatives.

• Cost Savings: Automation reduced the costs associated with manual compliance processes and potential regulatory fines.

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Outcomes of Project & Success Metrics

The collaboration between Portalink and 6pillars yielded significant benefits:

• Operational Efficiency: Security misconfiguration review times were reduced dramatically, with tasks that previously took 50 hours now completed in 5 hours.

• Cost Savings: Achieved a 10x reduction in costs compared to manual processes.

• Enhanced Compliance: Continuous monitoring ensured adherence to best practices, reducing compliance risks and costs.

• Faster Time-to-Value (TTV): Accelerated delivery of value to customers, improving satisfaction and enabling quicker realisation of benefits.

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TCO Analysis Performed

The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis performed by Portalink and 6pillars highlighted the cost-effectiveness of the AUTOMATE+ platform. The analysis considered:

• The cost of deploying a team dedicated to delivering continuous compliance was estimated at ~US$400k p.a.

• In contrast, 6pillars' AUTOMATE+ AWS Marketplace transactions totalled < US$10k.

• Long-term Savings: Continuous compliance automation provided ongoing savings by preventing costly compliance failures and reducing the need for extensive manual audits.

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Lessons Learned

1. Automation is Essential for Scalability: The project underscored the importance of automation in scaling operations efficiently. Manual processes were not sustainable at higher volumes and introduced risks.

2. Continuous Monitoring Enhances Security and Compliance: Implementing continuous monitoring and automated remediation ensured real-time compliance, which is critical in maintaining security and operational integrity.

3. Integration with Existing Systems is Crucial: Seamless integration with existing other systems is vital to maximize the benefits of automation without disrupting current operations.

4. Cost Efficiency Through Automation: The project demonstrated that significant cost savings could be achieved through automation, validating the initial TCO analysis.

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The partnership between Portalink and 6pillars successfully enhanced continuous compliance and operational efficiency for Portalink's customers. By leveraging 6pillars' AUTOMATE+ platform, Portalink provided robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions, ensuring their clients remained compliant and efficient in their operations. Automation played a pivotal role in this success, underscoring its importance in modern cloud environments.