Configured Disaster Recovery for Akhil Systems using AWS DRS

Customer Background

Akhil Systems specializes in management information systems for healthcare providers. Established in 1994, they operate in over 25 states and 40 cities, with a global presence in 14 countries. They offer web-based and cloud-hosted solutions, including Hospital Information Systems (HIS) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR).

Akhil Systems, a leading healthcare IT systems provider, recognized the need to upgrade their disaster recovery strategy. Relying on a secondary data center located in the same region as their primary one was risky and expensive. Working with Avertech, they chose AWS Elastic Disaster Recovery (AWS DRS) to achieve enterprise-level recovery while meeting budget constraints.

The Challenge

Akhil Systems recognized the need to modernize its disaster recovery (DR) strategy to ensure continuous availability and data integrity for its critical applications. The existing on-premises DR solution was costly, complex, and unable to meet the company’s evolving needs for rapid recovery and scalability. The primary challenges included:

  1. High Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO): The traditional DR setup resulted in prolonged downtimes, risking operational continuity and patient care.
  2. Scalability Issues: As Akhil Systems expanded, the on-premises infrastructure struggled to keep up with the growing data volume and application demands.
  3. Complexity and Cost: Managing and maintaining the DR site was resource-intensive, both in terms of manpower and financial investment.
  4. Compliance and Security: Ensuring compliance with stringent healthcare regulations and safeguarding sensitive patient data was a critical concern.
The Solution

Avertech Services, an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner, proposed leveraging AWS Elastic Disaster Recovery Service (AWS DRS) to transform Akhil Systems’ DR strategy. AWS DRS offers a scalable, cost-effective, and automated disaster recovery solution that aligns with modern cloud-based infrastructure requirements.

 

  1. Assessment and Planning:
  • Requirement Analysis:
    • Avertech conducted a thorough analysis of Akhil Systems’ existing DR setup, critical workloads, and compliance requirements.
  • Solution Design:
    • A tailored DR solution was designed, leveraging AWS DRS to ensure optimal RTO and RPO, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
  1. Migration and Configuration:
  • Data Replication:
    • Critical applications and data were replicated to AWS in real-time, ensuring minimal data loss and swift recovery.
  • Infrastructure Setup:
    • AWS resources, including VPCs, subnets, and security groups, were configured to mirror the on-premises environment.
  • Automation:
    • Automated failover and failback processes were established using AWS DRS to streamline recovery and minimize manual intervention.
  1. Testing and Validation:
  • DR Drills:
    • Comprehensive disaster recovery drills were conducted to validate the effectiveness of the new DR solution.
  • Performance Tuning:
    • Fine-tuning of the DR setup was performed to ensure optimal performance and adherence to compliance standards.
  1. Training and Support:
  • IT staff received training on managing and operating the new DR solution.
  • Ongoing Support: Avertech provided continuous support and monitoring to ensure seamless operation and quick resolution of any issues.
 
 
Benefits
  • Enhanced Resilience: Significantly reduced RTO and RPO, ensuring near-instantaneous recovery of critical applications and minimal data loss.
  • Cost Efficiency: Substantial cost savings by eliminating the need for dedicated DR infrastructure and leveraging the pay-as-you-go model of AWS.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Seamless scalability to accommodate growing data volumes and application demands without the need for additional physical resources
  • Compliance and Security: Adherence to stringent healthcare regulations with robust security measures, encryption, and data protection protocols provided by AWS.
Conclusion
 
The implementation of AWS DRS, proposed and executed by Avertech Services, significantly enhanced Akhil Systems’ disaster recovery capabilities. The modernized DR strategy ensured continuous availability, reduced costs, and provided a scalable solution that could grow with the company. As a result, Akhil Systems is better equipped to maintain operational continuity and deliver uninterrupted healthcare services, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in patient care and data security.