Context
Industry: Electronics manufacturing
Client: Jabil (via EPAM Systems)
Environment: Factory data centers → Cloud
Focus: Cloud migration readiness
Scope: PoC audit, architecture and performance review
My involvement: Infrastructure and DevOps audit lead
Year: 2021
Introduction
This project was part of a larger initiative to modernize how critical manufacturing systems are operated across a global factory network. Jabil, a large international electronics manufacturing company, began exploring a shift from factory-level data centers to a centralized, cloud-native infrastructure model.
I was involved at a critical stage of the initiative, evaluating the results of the first Proof of Concept and helping determine whether the chosen approach could support a successful large-scale migration.
The Situation
Jabil operates its own data centers at manufacturing plants around the world. While this model supported local control, it also required continuous capital investment, frequent hardware refresh cycles, and complex upgrades of production software.
The company launched a Proof of Concept to explore a centralized cloud-native platform capable of supporting factory processes globally. The goal was to move from a CapEx-heavy model to an OpEx-driven one, simplify upgrades, and consolidate operations.
However, early PoC results raised questions around architecture quality, performance behavior, and readiness for scaling beyond an experimental setup.
What Was Done
I conducted a detailed audit of the DevOps and infrastructure aspects of the PoC. This included reviewing deployment pipelines, infrastructure design choices, and operational assumptions related to cloud execution.
I analyzed the source code and overall architecture to assess quality, modularity, and suitability for cloud environments. Performance characteristics of both software and infrastructure were examined in detail, with attention to how workloads would behave under production-level load.
The findings were consolidated into a structured evaluation of the PoC, highlighting risks, bottlenecks, and areas requiring change before any wider rollout.
My Role
I was responsible for evaluating the technical viability of the PoC from an infrastructure, DevOps, and performance perspective.
My role was to provide an independent and technically grounded view of what worked, what did not, and what needed to change for a cloud migration to succeed at enterprise scale. The recommendations directly influenced adjustments to the project’s technical strategy.
Outcomes
The PoC evaluation resulted in concrete recommendations that reshaped the migration approach. Architecture and performance issues were identified early, before large-scale rollout.
The project gained a clearer understanding of which assumptions were valid and which required revision. This reduced the risk of scaling an approach that would not meet production demands across manufacturing plants.
Key Takeaways
This project demonstrated how early Proofs of Concept can hide structural and performance issues that only become visible under close technical review.
It also showed the importance of independent evaluation before committing to cloud migration at industrial scale, especially when core manufacturing processes are involved.
How This Experience Helps in Similar Situations
Many organizations start cloud migration with small PoCs that are not designed for real production conditions. I help teams assess whether early results are truly scalable, identify hidden risks, and adjust direction before significant investment is made.
This approach helps avoid costly redesigns later in large transformation programs.
Related Products & Materials
Some of the challenges addressed in this project are covered in my document packs related to cloud migration assessment, PoC evaluation, DevOps readiness, and performance analysis.
Closing
If you are validating cloud migration initiatives for critical industrial or enterprise systems, this project reflects the type of technical assessment and decision support I provide.