Aker Solutions, a global leader in energy services, is dedicated to a sustainable future with a focus on low-carbon solutions. They target net-zero emissions by 2050 through digitalization, exemplified by their shift to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). AVD enhances remote offshore work by addressing latency and workload issues, enabling efficient computing for tasks and supporting a connected workforce in the energy transition.
Lijo John, an Enterprise Architect at Aker Solutions, emphasizes the crucial role of technology in ensuring the safety of both Aker Solutions' personnel and the environment. The company designs solutions for remote locations worldwide, and the accuracy of these designs is paramount.
John explains that Aker Solutions has a global workforce spread across various offices and offshore installations. To deliver its services effectively, the company must ensure that its remote engineers can access and utilize compute-heavy, 3D simulation models for tasks like installation testing, maintenance, and other operations.
Azure Virtual Desktop has been instrumental in providing Aker Solutions' workforce with the necessary CPU and GPU capacity to work from anywhere. This solution has not only improved efficiency but also maximized cost savings and environmental benefits, aligning with the company's strategic goals.
Aker Solutions has a clear commitment to reducing its carbon emissions and aims to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. Azure Virtual Desktop contributes to this goal by enabling remote work and reducing the need for physical workstations.
A company based on land and water
Aker Solutions, a global energy company based in Norway, employs over 15,000 people across 50 locations in 20 countries. They focus on developing renewable solutions with a commitment to low-carbon efforts and digitalization.
John, a representative from Aker Solutions, emphasizes their goal of solving global energy challenges by integrating technology with the physical world. Aker Solutions has digitalization teams in each segment to enhance work processes for efficiency, automation, and solution-oriented approaches.
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is being considered as a solution to improve technology access and data availability for both office-based and field-based employees at Aker Solutions.
Delivering powerful computing resources in a virtual space
Aker Solutions manages technology costs in an industry with fluctuating usage patterns. Projects can rapidly escalate and decline, requiring cost-cutting measures. Azure Virtual Desktop offers a scalable and cost-effective solution.
Azure Virtual Desktop provides employees with the power of a traditional desktop computer, regardless of device or location. This enables offshore engineers at Aker Solutions to access high-performance computing capabilities essential for their work.
John highlights that GPU-enabled Azure Virtual Desktops are crucial for maintaining productivity and accuracy in demanding engineering tasks, ensuring a seamless user experience when working with detailed images and objects.
Enjoying the advantages of greater flexibility and scalability
Aker Solutions, with support from Microsoft partner Cognizant, implemented Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) to address fluctuating business demands. Cognizant had collaborated with Aker Solutions on digital transformation projects. Sandeep Ashtekar, Senior Delivery Manager at Cognizant, mentioned that Aker Solutions faced challenges with scaling up capacity for short-term projects and latency issues, which AVD's Azure-based HPC cluster and cycle cloud orchestration resolved.
Users now have a consistent experience regardless of location. Positive feedback from end users underlines AVD's success in improving their experience and addressing scaling needs. John from Aker Solutions highlighted that users value the enhanced experience provided by AVD, even if they are unaware of the underlying data location. AVD's ability to scale as needed has been particularly beneficial for meeting Aker Solutions' varying requirements throughout the year.
Assisting the company in achieving its carbon reduction objectives.
Beyond improved performance, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, Azure Virtual Desktop is significantly contributing to Aker Solutions' strategic objectives. John, a key figure at Aker Solutions, emphasizes their commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
He explains that Azure is a crucial component of their sustainability strategy. By migrating their global data center to Azure, Aker Solutions has estimated a 40% reduction in data center CO2 emissions.
The company's next step is to completely phase out on-premises data centers and migrate all workloads to the cloud. Through their partnership with Microsoft and Cognizant, Aker Solutions is confident in their ability to meet their sustainability goals and beyond.