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American Equity Life Insurance (AEL), reliant on legacy COBOL applications, faced challenges with its Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). The VMware Horizon setup in on-premises data centers struggled with scalability and cost-efficiency for 400 simultaneous sessions.
With a data center lease expiring in 2026, AEL needed a flexible, robust solution to support its migration from Azure to AWS.
The Challenge
Recognizing opportunities for improvement, AEL sought to modernize its operations and address the limitations of its legacy systems. The existing VMware Horizon setup, while functional, lacked scalability and cost-efficiency. AEL partnered with Cloud Life Consulting to identify a forward-thinking virtual desktop solution that would support their migration to AWS and position them for long-term growth.
Transitioning to AWS WorkSpaces resulted in a 35% reduction in costs related to data center operations and maintenance.
The Solution
To tackle these challenges, AEL turned to AWS WorkSpaces.
This solution offered a scalable, secure, and cost-effective platform tailored to their needs. The implementation was carefully planned:
- Seamless Integration: AWS WorkSpaces was deployed to replace VMware Horizon, ensuring smooth integration with AEL's existing systems.
- User-Specific Configurations: Teams were segmented into groups like offshore QA, onshore teams, and heavy users, with each group’s workspace optimized for performance.
- Thorough Testing: Rigorous testing ensured that WorkSpaces delivered on speed, reliability, and user experience.
- Security and Compliance: Built-in AWS security features guaranteed data protection and compliance with industry standards.
- Future-Proof Scalability: AWS WorkSpaces was designed to handle peak workloads, with room to grow as AEL’s needs evolve.
The Results
The switch to AWS WorkSpaces delivered excellent results for American Equity Life Insurance:
- Cost Savings: Data center operations and maintenance costs were cut by 35%.
- Improved Performance: A 40% boost in VDI performance metrics ensured a smoother and faster user experience.
- Higher Satisfaction: User satisfaction scores climbed by 30%, with employees praising the accessibility and usability of the new system.
- Effortless Scalability: WorkSpaces handled up to 400 simultaneous sessions without a hitch, even during peak loads.
- Enhanced Security: AEL achieved 100% compliance with industry standards while strengthening data protection measures.
Conclusion
By embracing AWS WorkSpaces, AEL improved operational efficiency by 25%, reduced downtime, and cut operational costs by 35%. This strategic shift resolved immediate infrastructure challenges, enhanced performance metrics by 40%, and positioned AEL for sustained growth and long-term success.
About American Equity Life Insurance
American Equity Investment Life Holding Company®, a New York Stock Exchange Listed company (NYSE:AEL), is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa. American Equity, through its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, specializes in the sale of fixed index and fixed rate annuities. We are in the business of helping individuals preserve their retirement dollars and provide a secure, predictable income they cannot outlive. We are committed to our contract owners, distribution partners, shareholders and employees and follow a people-first philosophy that continues to drive our success and contribute to our growth.
