CASE STUDY
GCCEC Establishes Azure Hybrid Cloud Strategy & Governance with Codify
OVERVIEW
As Australia’s largest regional convention centre, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) delivers major domestic and international events across 15,000m² of space. Supporting high profile technology conferences for organisations such as Gartner and Microsoft places GCCEC in a unique position: the IT systems used internally must also be delivered as part of its service offering to event clients.
With on‑premises server assets approaching end‑of‑life, GCCEC recognised an opportunity to explore more sustainable, flexible, and cost efficient options. A period of reduced event activity provided the ideal window to reassess its IT strategy and begin planning for a modern Azure Hybrid Cloud environment.
Codify was engaged to help GCCEC define a clear Azure Hybrid Cloud Strategy, establish strong cloud governance foundations, and prepare the organisation for a staged and low‑risk transition to Azure.
“We offer turnkey IT technology services to our event clients. When delegates travel from around the world, they expect the same level of technology they would get back home…”
Ben Morris
Executive Manager for Technology, GCCEC
CHALLENGES
A Dual Purpose IT Environment With High Expectations
GCCEC’s IT environment must support both internal operations and the technology needs of thousands of event attendees. This creates unique pressures:
On premises networking required for client events
SaaS applications supporting internal operations
High expectations for reliability and performance
Hardware lifecycle pressures every 5 - 7 years
“Every vendor we have needs to be able to provide a world-class standard, and that’s something Codify do…”
Ben Morris
Executive Manager for Technology, GCCEC
A Strategic Moment to Rethink IT Infrastructure
With server replacement due within 12-18 months, GCCEC needed to evaluate whether continuing with a traditional on-premises model was sustainable, financially or operationally.
SOLUTIONS
Cloud Strategy & Planning for an Azure Hybrid Cloud Future.
GCCEC engaged Codify to workshop its future IT options and assess the viability of a hybrid cloud model. While GCCEC already used many SaaS applications, the team needed expert guidance to evaluate Azure’s role in a long-term strategy.
Codify helped GCCEC assess:
Which workloads should remain on premises
Which workloads could move to Azure
How Azure could support sustainability and lifecycle management
How to design an Azure foundation using Azure Landing Zone principles
“Our onsite IT team is fantastic at delivering day-to-day needs… But looking at a cloud migration strategy requires a skillset we didn’t have.”
Ben Morris
Executive Manager for Technology, GCCEC
“Straightaway, we worried about how to control costs… Codify gave us comfort that these things would be reviewed, and that there’s a cloud governance process we’d go through quarterly to make sure we’re optimised.”
Ben Morris
Executive Manager for Technology, GCCEC
Hybrid Cloud Readiness
Codify prepared GCCEC for the eventual replacement of aging on premises servers with a flexible Azure based model, ensuring the future migration would be staged, predictable, and aligned with operational needs.
Cloud Governance & Risk Management
Cost control and governance were key concerns for GCCEC. Codify introduced:
Azure cost governance frameworks
Quarterly optimisation and billing reviews
Managed Azure services
Transparent cost breakdowns and usage monitoring
Cost & Licensing Review
Early work included a detailed review of GCCEC’s Microsoft licensing, identifying immediate savings.
“We’ve already seen up to $6,000 per annum savings… Codify has really been doing the due diligence about opportunities for savings there.”
Ben Morris
Executive Manager for Technology, GCCEC
“They ask the right questions and genuinely understand our business and its unique needs. The technical knowledge is expected, but their empathy and commercial understanding is what sets Codify apart.”
Ben Morris
Executive Manager for Technology, GCCEC
Expert Azure Advisory & Technical Guidance
Codify provided Expert Azure Advisory & Technical Guidance, giving GCCEC access to specialist cloud architecture, governance, and cost‑management expertise not available in‑house.
RESULTS
Clear and actionable Azure Hybrid Cloud Strategy.
Although GCCEC is still early in its hybrid cloud journey, the organisation now has a clear and actionable Azure Hybrid Cloud Strategy, strong governance foundations, and confidence in a sustainable long‑term IT direction.
Immediate Licensing Savings
Up to $6,000 per year saved through improved Microsoft licensing management.
“I have complete confidence in what Codify has shown us and how they’ve analysed our resources. Their empathy and commercial understanding is what sets Codify apart for us.“
Ben Morris
Executive Manager for Technology, GCCEC
Confidence in Azure Hybrid Cloud Strategy
A clear Azure Hybrid Cloud Strategy
Strong governance foundations
A sustainable alternative to hardware refresh cycles
Confidence in the staged migration path ahead
NEXT STEPS
GCCEC is now preparing for a staged Azure hybrid cloud migration.
An Azure hybrid cloud migration supported by Codify’s cloud governance, Azure Landing Zone design, and ongoing advisory services to ensure the transition is secure, predictable, and aligned with operational needs. If your organisation is considering a hybrid cloud strategy or preparing for an Azure migration, Codify’s team of cloud specialists can help you plan with confidence.