Equinix > Case Studies > Digital Transformation in the Cloud: Enhancing Government Efficiency with Equinix Fabric

Digital Transformation in the Cloud: Enhancing Government Efficiency with Equinix Fabric

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Technology Category
  • Analytics & Modeling - Machine Learning
  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Public Cloud
Applicable Industries
  • Automotive
  • Cities & Municipalities
Applicable Functions
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Quality Assurance
Use Cases
  • Personnel Tracking & Monitoring
  • Vehicle Performance Monitoring
Services
  • Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
  • System Integration
About The Customer
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is an executive agency of the UK government. Its priorities include helping everyone through a lifetime of safe driving, helping everyone keep their vehicle safe to drive, and protecting everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles. DVSA employs 4,600 people in more than 500 locations, helping everyone stay safe on Britain’s roads. The agency carries out 1.9 million driving tests a year, regulates 40,000 driving instructors and 38,000 MOT garages. It also carries out 1 million annual tests to make sure lorries, buses, and coaches are safe to drive, and 278,000 roadside checks on drivers and vehicles, and monitors vehicle recalls.
The Challenge
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), an executive agency of the UK government, was facing challenges in its digital transformation journey. The agency was transitioning away from long-term contracts, minimizing vendor lock-in, and moving to open source and cloud where possible. However, the agency was connecting to the cloud via virtual private networks (VPNs), and their VPN firewall ran out of capacity. This situation necessitated a new solution that could provide fast, reliable connectivity. The goal was to improve efficiency, add flexibility, and gain value for money, while bringing services and controls closer to customers, employees, partners, and ecosystems worldwide.
The Solution
To address the connectivity challenge, DVSA selected Equinix Fabric. This solution directly, securely, and dynamically connects distributed infrastructure and digital ecosystems globally on Platform Equinix via software-defined interconnection. It is designed for rapid scalability, real-time agility, and customized connectivity through a self-service portal or API. DVSA can easily connect staff to Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and other cloud providers via Equinix Fiber Connects. Switching from one cloud provider to another to save costs or enable additional services takes only minutes. DVSA’s cloud connections run via its own MPLS network, without crossing the public internet, bringing its services and controls closer to citizens, employees, and partners at the digital edge.
Operational Impact
  • The adoption of Equinix Fabric has significantly transformed DVSA's operations. The agency has cut latency by two-thirds, providing its staff with fast, responsive access to cloud-based platforms. The solution has also enabled DVSA to automate its operations, making new services available to staff at more than 500 locations within seconds of being added to the cloud. The agency can now easily switch between cloud providers to take advantage of better contract terms and save money. The solution has also improved reliability, with zero downtime reported. Looking ahead, DVSA plans to cross-connect directly to other government agencies using Equinix Fabric to make data sharing and connectivity easier. It also plans to apply further analytics and machine learning to the data within its MOT service.
Quantitative Benefit
  • Reduced latency from 25 ms to 8 ms when connecting to Microsoft Azure
  • Enabled DVSA staff to have fast, responsive access to cloud-based applications
  • Improved flexibility and responsiveness, with the ability to provision new connections in as little as one hour, compared to four months previously

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