Successful JD Edwards Cloud Migration and Modernization

Granite Construction is one of the largest diversified construction companies in the United States. With more than a century of experience, Granite is a major player in its industry and specializes in complex infrastructure projects such as transportation and industrial contracting.

Business Challenge 

In December 2022, Granite received news that their data center would be shutting down, giving them just one year to relocate 120 servers, which hosted their JD Edwards (JDE) system and other critical applications. Faced with this urgent timeline, Granite also saw an opportunity to modernize their JD Edwards system by: 

1. Migrating to the cloud 
2. Upgrading to the latest JD Edwards Release 23
3. Moving to a 64-bit architecture 

Granite needed a partner who could handle all three of these challenges while keeping their on-premises system operational until the cutover. Granite selected ERP Suites based on their expertise in JD Edwards, cloud migration, and managed CNC services. 

Solution 

ERP Suites guided Granite through every step of the migration and upgrade process, offering technical expertise and a strategy that maximized the value of the transition. 

Cloud Migration and System Modernization 

ERP Suites helped Granite migrate their JD Edwards environment to AWS, ensuring that the latest production data was transferred before shutting down the legacy system. They also provided a rollback contingency, allowing Granite to revert to their on-premises system if needed—though careful planning meant this wasn’t necessary. 

Latest Release Upgrade 

As part of the modernization, Granite upgraded to JD Edwards Release 23, leveraging new features that improved system efficiency and usability. ERP Suites ensured that 12 critical applications were retrofitted for compatibility with the new release, helping Granite unlock the full potential of the upgrade. 

64-bit Architecture Transition 

ERP Suites also oversaw Granite’s transition to a 64-bit architecture, which improved system performance and future-proofed their technology infrastructure. 

Results 

The migration and upgrade process involved rigorous rounds of testing and validation to ensure a smooth transition: 

• System Integration Testing: Ensured compatibility with printers, import/export functions, third-party apps, and automated workflows. 

• User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Included 13 days of testing with auto test scripts and load tests to guarantee that the new cloud environment was appropriately sized for Granite’s needs. 

• Go/No Go: Conducted with 62 users, with a unanimous decision to move forward. 

On Go Live weekend, ERP Suites worked in sync with Granite’s team, managing 216 punch list items and resolving issues quickly. A Microsoft Teams meeting stayed open throughout the process for real-time collaboration. ERP Suites ensured minimal downtime, and post-Go Live, only 32 issues were reported—down from 86 during the testing phase. 

Value Delivered by ERP Suites 

By partnering with ERP Suites, Granite accomplished three critical objectives: 

1. Cloud Migration: ERP Suites minimized disruption during the transition to AWS, ensuring Granite’s JD Edwards environment was fully operational in the cloud. 

1. Maximized System Potential with Release 23: With the latest JD Edwards features and functionality, Granite has improved operational efficiency and is better equipped for future growth. 

1. Enhanced Performance with 64-bit Upgrade: The move to 64-bit architecture has significantly boosted system performance, enabling Granite to handle larger datasets and more complex processes. 

By leveraging ERP Suites' JD Edwards expertise, Granite now operates a modern, cloud-based system with improved performance and scalability. 

Conclusion 

Granite Construction’s migration and upgrade journey required a partner that could handle complex challenges under tight deadlines. ERP Suites delivered a comprehensive solution that enabled Granite to migrate, upgrade, and modernize their JD Edwards system efficiently and effectively. Granite is now positioned to capitalize on their enhanced system capabilities and continue their legacy of excellence in the construction industry. 

Granite Construction The Woodlands, Texas Environment: Release 23