Stabilizing business-critical database operations in a regulated environment
Client & Challenge
A major financial services company in Germany operates a highly critical IT infrastructure with exceptionally high requirements for availability, security, and regulatory compliance.
The focus was on more than 250 database instances based on Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. Recurring replication issues, storage bottlenecks, migration errors, and manual operational processes led to increased effort in day-to-day operations. At the same time, internal teams were under pressure to ensure stability, compliance, and speed.
Project Goals:
- Stabilize second-level database operations
- Reduce operational risks in mission-critical systems
- Improve incident response and SLA compliance
- Relieve internal teams in day-to-day operations
- Automate and secure core operational processes
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in the financial sector
Strategy
ServiceFactum assumed responsibility for the stable operation and further development of the database environment within the second-level support framework. Instead of relying on individual specialists, a coordinated delivery model was established, featuring clear responsibilities, centralized management, and defined service quality standards.
The experts were integrated into a unified setup and managed by ServiceFactum. This significantly reduced the coordination burden on the client’s side and enabled operational issues to be addressed more quickly and in a more structured manner.
Even in a highly regulated environment, we don’t simply provide individual specialists; instead, we bring structure, control, and reliability to operational delivery.
This transforms traditional staff augmentation into a controlled, SLA-driven setup that reduces risks and noticeably relieves the burden on internal teams.
Bernd Wandt, CEO and Onshore Delivery Manager at ServiceFactum
ServiceFactum stabilized database operations through structured incident handling, systematic analysis of recurring error patterns, and controlled operational processes.
Replication issues, performance bottlenecks, storage issues, and migration errors were specifically addressed. At the same time, maintenance processes such as backups, log management, and monitoring were streamlined.
Key measures:
- Coordination of multiple database experts within a managed delivery model
- Stabilization of Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL environments
- Faster resolution of critical incidents and operational disruptions
- Automation of PostgreSQL configurations using Ansible
- Secure monitoring with TLS and MFA
- Alignment of operational processes with financial compliance requirements
The database environment comprised more than 250 instances running on Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. Operations were conducted on a Unix and Red Hat infrastructure.
Ansible was used for automation and configuration management. In addition, Citrix, MFA, and secure monitoring systems were employed to meet the high security and compliance requirements of the regulated financial sector.
Results & Benefits
Through the collaboration with ServiceFactum, operational risk in a business-critical database environment was significantly reduced. Operational stability was improved, and incidents were handled and resolved more quickly.
Infrastructure changes were also implemented in a more controlled manner and with fewer disruptions. Internal teams were relieved of day-to-day operational burdens and were able to focus more on strategic initiatives.
In addition, ServiceFactum’s managed delivery model enabled cost efficiencies of 40 to 60 percent compared to purely onshore setups, while maintaining high operational reliability and full regulatory compliance.