Stratalux is a cloud computing professional services firm based in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in building cloud solutions on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for media and entertainment companies. Their expertise in leveraging AWS cloud infrastructure positioned them as a leading provider of scalable and secure cloud solutions for high-demand industries. However, Stratalux sought to expand its offerings and establish itself as a Managed Services Provider (MSP), opening new revenue streams and enhancing long-term customer relationships.
The Challenge
To transform into a fully operational Managed Services Provider (MSP), Stratalux needed to build the infrastructure, acquire the right tools, and define processes that would allow them to deliver proactive, round-the-clock management, monitoring, and optimization services for their clients’ AWS environments. Additionally, Stratalux aspired to earn AWS Certified Managed Services Partner status, a critical designation for credibility and market differentiation. Lacking the internal resources to create a managed services practice from scratch, Stratalux turned to Red Beach Advisors for strategic guidance and execution.
Red Beach Advisors’ Solution
Red Beach Advisors provided a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that guided Stratalux through the complex process of becoming a Managed Services Provider. The key components of the solution included:
- Infrastructure and Tooling Development
Red Beach Advisors worked closely with Stratalux to design and implement a robust managed services infrastructure. This included identifying and deploying the appropriate monitoring, automation, and incident response tools required for an MSP model. Solutions were specifically tailored for managing AWS environments to ensure the seamless operation and scalability that Stratalux’s media and entertainment clients demanded. - Process Development and Optimization
Red Beach Advisors established efficient processes for client onboarding, monitoring, incident response, and continuous optimization. These processes were built to align with best practices in the cloud computing industry and were essential for ensuring high levels of service availability and performance. They developed key procedures for service delivery, including SLA management, ticketing systems, and reporting structures, ensuring Stratalux could provide proactive, value-added services to its customers. - Personnel Strategy and Training
Red Beach Advisors supported Stratalux in staffing their managed services team, defining roles and responsibilities essential to running a successful MSP practice. This included hiring and training a dedicated team to manage day-to-day operations and provide 24/7 support to clients. Red Beach Advisors facilitated the establishment of both a technical team and customer support function that could deliver excellent client experiences and handle the complexities of managing AWS environments. - AWS Certified Managed Services Partner Status
Red Beach Advisors led Stratalux through the rigorous process of becoming an AWS Certified Managed Services Partner. This involved meeting AWS’s stringent requirements, including demonstrating operational excellence, security best practices, and ongoing management capabilities for AWS workloads. Achieving this certification solidified Stratalux’s credibility in the marketplace and differentiated them from competitors as a top-tier AWS MSP.
The Outcome
With the managed services infrastructure, tooling, personnel, and processes fully developed and implemented, Stratalux quickly scaled its new managed services offering. Red Beach Advisors’ expertise helped Stratalux:
- Establish a fully operational managed services practice capable of delivering continuous monitoring, management, and optimization services to media and entertainment clients.
- Earn AWS Certified Managed Services Partner status, enhancing its market position and credibility.
- Expand its revenue streams through ongoing managed services contracts, creating more predictable and stable income.
Strategic Acquisition and Growth
The successful transformation of Stratalux into a managed services provider played a pivotal role in the company’s acquisition by Great Hill Partners, a private equity firm. Stratalux was merged with other Managed Services Providers, including Reliam, to create one of the largest cloud-focused managed services entities in the market. This merger, driven by Stratalux’s managed services capabilities, positioned the company for significant growth and allowed it to offer even greater value to its customers.
Conclusion
By partnering with Red Beach Advisors, Stratalux successfully transitioned into a managed services provider, bolstered its service offerings, and achieved AWS Certified Managed Services Partner status. The transformation not only enhanced Stratalux’s capabilities and market position but also facilitated its acquisition, proving the long-term value of investing in managed services.
Red Beach Advisors’ expertise in managed services infrastructure development, process optimization, and AWS certification was crucial in driving Stratalux’s growth and ultimate success in the cloud services industry.