The latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are impossible to ignore, and we’re only beginning to see the global impact these technologies can have on enterprises across all industries. The potential for innovation is practically limitless, but that potential will remain untapped unless organizations are able to properly adopt and integrate these tools within their own systems and processes, and that means not only embracing the cloud, but also investing in robust machine learning operations (MLOps) to ensure scale and optimized cost.

Key Takeaways

  • In a joint Effectual/AWS webinar, Block Inc. (NYSE:SQ) Program and Operations Manager Erin Dingilian shared how her company's cloud modernization journey benefited from a strategic partnership with Effectual.
  • Effectual's involvement helped Block reduce network latency for its globalization plans from minutes to seconds.
  • The partnership drove cost optimization and stronger security through standardized best practices, containerization, and infrastructure-as-code (IaC).
  • Effectual used a "do-with" approach — hybrid teams of Block and Effectual staff — to train and empower Block's internal teams rather than just handing over a finished system.
  • The engagement also matured Block's agile methodologies and centralized its data for real-time visibility and MLOps-driven reporting.

Data, AI, and ML is the Path to Market Leadership in Financial Services

Modern, cloud-enabled enterprises are poised to outmaneuver competitors still relying on the outdated data center operating model, but modernization is about more than just migrating your applications and data to the cloud. Improving cost efficiency and streamlining operations, identifying and capitalizing on new revenue streams, revolutionizing the customer experience (CX) with personalized customer journeys, enhancing security and compliance, and expanding your geographic footprint are all easily within reach if an organization can effectively supercharge their capabilities by using cloud-based data lakehouses, AI, and ML.

Effectual and AWS recently hosted a live webinar focusing on technological advancements in data, analytics, AI, MLOps, and migration best practices that can benefit enterprises in the financial services industry, highlighting how both of our organizations are helping customers succeed through partner-led modernization. We were joined by the Program and Operations Manager from Block Inc. (NYSE:SQ), Erin Dingilian, who shared the benefits and outcomes of their company’s cloud transformation journey, focusing on modernization, MLOps, migration, change management, and the evolution of their organization’s culture.

Success through Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Cloud Adoption

Dingilian was able to share first-hand insights on her company’s business challenges and modernization drivers, which were representative of the challenges and drivers many organizations contend with as part of their digital transformation journeys. Dingilian specifically cited Effectual’s strategic partnership as a key factor to the success of their migration and modernization, with Effectual’s experience and expertise helping to:

  • Support globalization plans thanks to reduced network latency, from minutes to seconds;
  • Drive cost optimization and improve security by implementing standardized best practices, containerization, and infrastructure as code (IaC) modules;
  • Help empower internal teams through training, comprehensive documentation, and a “do-with” approach facilitated by hybrid teams made up of Block and Effectual employees;
  • Support and mature agile methodologies to drive continual improvement; and
  • Improve reporting capabilities by centralizing data, enabling real-time data visibility, and incorporating ML Ops.

You can view the entire webinar on our YouTube page or contact us to learn more about how Effectual can help your organization execute a successful digital transformation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who shared insights on this cloud modernization journey, and how?

Erin Dingilian, Program and Operations Manager at Block Inc. (NYSE:SQ), shared her company's experience in a live webinar co-hosted by Effectual and AWS, focused on data, analytics, AI, MLOps, and migration best practices for financial services.

What network performance improvement did Block see from the partnership?

Effectual's work supported Block's globalization plans by reducing network latency from minutes to seconds.

How did Effectual help Block with cost and security?

By implementing standardized best practices, containerization, and infrastructure-as-code (IaC) modules, which drove cost optimization and improved security.

What is Effectual's "do-with" approach mentioned in this case study?

It's a delivery model built on hybrid teams made up of both Block and Effectual employees, used to train Block's internal staff and build institutional knowledge through hands-on collaboration rather than a hand-off engagement.

What other improvements resulted from the engagement?

Block matured its agile methodologies for continual improvement and improved reporting by centralizing data, enabling real-time visibility, and incorporating MLOps.