Overview

Applied Materials, known for its leadership in materials engineering, encountered significant challenges with its Electronic Design Automation (EDA) environment. Historically, this critical system, which supports the intricate design and testing of semiconductor products, operated within on-premise data centers. However, the growing complexity of EDA workloads strained the infrastructure, revealing its limitations.

The data centers struggled to scale alongside Applied Materials’ evolving needs. Increasing demands for capacity and performance required frequent and costly hardware upgrades. Maintenance was resource-intensive, diverting internal efforts from core business priorities, while rising operational costs for power, cooling, and physical upkeep further compounded the issue. As a company deeply invested in innovation, Applied Materials recognized that its legacy infrastructure could no longer sustain its aspirations for agility, efficiency, and growth.

The leadership team decided it was time to modernize the EDA environment. They sought a cloud-based solution that would not only address their immediate pain points but also provide a foundation for long-term scalability, reduced costs, and enhanced performance. This decision led them to engage with Microsoft and Oakwood Systems Group, embarking on a transformational journey to the cloud.

Solution

To solve these challenges, Microsoft and Oakwood Systems Group partnered with Applied Materials to design a custom migration strategy for their EDA environment. The project began with an in-depth assessment of the existing infrastructure. The Oakwood team collaborated with Applied Materials to understand their workflows, identify bottlenecks, and define key objectives for the migration. A particular focus was placed on optimizing performance, streamlining data access, and ensuring seamless integration with existing tools and applications.

The team designed a scalable and secure infrastructure on Microsoft Azure, leveraging its powerful suite of cloud capabilities. At the heart of this new environment was Azure CycleCloud, a tool tailored for orchestrating high-performance computing workloads. This solution ensured that Applied Materials could efficiently manage complex simulations and design processes. Alongside CycleCloud, network routing and storage solutions were configured to meet the stringent demands of EDA workflows, while IdentityOne was integrated to enhance security and governance.

During the implementation phase, the Oakwood team built the new environment with meticulous attention to detail. They deployed and tested the CycleCloud platform, established an LFS Cluster, and ensured all components worked cohesively within the Azure ecosystem. Documentation and rigorous acceptance testing followed, providing Applied Materials with a well-documented, reliable solution that met their operational needs.

To ensure the transition was as seamless as possible, Oakwood delivered extensive knowledge transfer and training sessions to Applied Materials’ internal teams. This approach empowered Applied Materials to take full ownership of their new cloud-based EDA environment while ensuring long-term operational continuity.

Outcome

The migration to Azure marked a turning point for Applied Materials, yielding substantial improvements across their operations. By transitioning to the cloud, the company successfully decommissioned its on-premise data centers, eliminating the challenges associated with physical infrastructure. This move not only reduced operational overhead but also freed internal resources to focus on innovation and development.

The new Azure-based environment delivered transformative scalability, allowing Applied Materials to handle growing workloads with ease. Whether managing routine operations or tackling peak demand, the cloud infrastructure flexibly adapted to meet the company’s needs. Performance also saw significant gains, with faster processing times and more efficient workflows enabling the EDA team to accelerate their product development cycles.

Cost savings were another standout benefit. Without the ongoing expenses tied to maintaining and upgrading on-premise infrastructure, Applied Materials reduced its operational costs considerably. This financial relief provided additional capacity for strategic investments in innovation and growth.

Beyond immediate operational improvements, the migration set the stage for Applied Materials’ future. The cloud-based EDA environment empowered the company with the agility and tools needed to stay ahead in a competitive industry. Positioned for success, Applied Materials is now better equipped to meet the demands of a fast-evolving technology landscape, ensuring they remain at the forefront of materials engineering for years to come.

Conclusion

The successful migration of Applied Materials’ EDA environment to Microsoft Azure demonstrates the transformative power of cloud technology in overcoming the limitations of traditional infrastructure. By embracing a scalable, secure, and cost-effective solution, Applied Materials not only addressed their immediate challenges but also positioned themselves for sustained innovation and growth. This collaboration between Applied Materials, Microsoft, and Oakwood Systems Group highlights the value of strategic partnerships in driving meaningful technological advancements that fuel industry leadership.

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