In this episode of Altitude, Justin Payne, Senior Infrastructure Security Architect at Mueller Water Products (MWP), shares his firsthand experience of navigating the challenges posed by outdated hardware and limited resources while transitioning to the cloud. With an impressive three decades of IT expertise, Justin has been a dedicated member of the MWP team for the past ten years.
MWP, founded over 160 years ago, is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of fire hydrants, gate valves, and other water infrastructure products in North America. During the housing downfall in the late 2000s, MWP faced significant obstacles. Outdated hardware and resources hindered their ability to meet the company's growing demands, prompting their migration to AWS cloud. Justin has been at the forefront of cloud transformation, ensuring that MWP keeps up with advancements in cloud technology to maximize efficiency and drive growth.
Listen here: https://aviatrix.com/altitude/
In this episode, Woody and Justin discuss:
[00:03:19] Transitioning to AWS to improve agility
[00:08:47] Adapting to cloud, challenges, and research
[00:11:54] AWS setup challenged by limitations and security concerns
[00:15:37] Cloud cost expectations vs reality, MWP’s maturity, cost mitigation, cloud-first strategy
[00:19:40] High cost of bringing in contractors with AWS expertise to bridge the skills gap, seeking the tools and talent to operate moving forward
[00:22:23] Cloud security as a big concern due to lack of control and elevated permissions, creating a secure and efficient infrastructure with Aviatrix, MWP’s zero trust environment with strict security measures
[00:26:24] Relying solely on the Internet for IoT connectivity has proven to be insecure and unreliable; the use of private networks and VPNs as the preferred approach for IoT applications
[00:31:24] What makes moving to the cloud worth it, maximizing product features quickly with AWS
[00:34:21] Proactive maintenance saves time and money.
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About Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation
As enterprises go all in on the cloud, IT leaders and teams either fall behind or rise above. Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation explores the latest cloud industry trends, challenges, and opportunities that IT leaders and teams face today. Hosted by Bryan “Woody” Woodworth, Altitude equips listeners with the knowledge and inspiration to lead the way through the ever-evolving cloud landscape.
Tune in for episodes released biweekly.
About the host: Bryan “Woody” Woodworth
After starting his career as a professor of Rock & Roll and Pop music history, Woody discovered a passion for tech and transitioned to the field. He spent eight years at F5 Networks and then seven years at Microsoft, where he became an Azure Global Black Belt in networking and network security. Currently, Woody continues to change the networking world at Aviatrix. He truly empathizes with those finding themselves at a crossroad where it’s either sink or swim as enterprises go all in on the cloud. Join Woody through his conversations on Altitude: The Unsung Heroes of Cloud Transformation with IT analysts, real-world practitioners, subject matter experts, and thought leaders who educate, inspire, and empower IT leaders to become heroes of cloud transformation.