Transforming Rabobank’s document management system to the cloud

WAES partnered with Rabobank to modernize its document management platform, migrating from on-premises to the cloud. This transformation enhanced scalability, speed, and reliability, showcasing WAES's expertise in delivering innovative, future-ready solutions for critical systems.

Problem?

Growing document demand and limited legacy scalability hinder client experience and require manual processes.

Approach?

Migrated to Azure with Kubernetes, Terraform, automated DevOps pipelines, and modern architectural practices.

Impact?

Achieved faster scaling, reduced downtime, quicker deployment, and enhanced adaptability to client needs.

Digital Transformation reshaped Rabobank’s approach to managing all internal and external documents. At the heart of this effort was Elcio, a WAES consultant who contributed significantly to the project team responsible for migrating the bank’s document management platform from an on-premises environment to a cloud-based solution. This shift aimed to improve scalability, speed, and reliability while modernizing the platform's architecture and using the DevOps best practices.

Rabobank’s existing platform managed a massive volume of documents, from PDFs to physical letters. The bank faced challenges associated with legacy systems, including manual processes, scalability limitations, and maintenance complexity. Transitioning this vital platform to the cloud opened the door to improving operational efficiency and optimizing cost management while delivering better services to clients.

Building the foundation for scalable and secure document management

Rabobank chose Microsoft Azure as the core infrastructure for its new cloud-based solution. Elcio highlighted the technical focus of the project: “The base of the solution is Azure. We’re using Kubernetes, Helm charts, and Terraform to manage the infrastructure and deploy vendor-provided applications securely and efficiently.”

By integrating tools like Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS) and Terraform, the team achieved automation in deployment and resource management. They implemented Azure DevOps pipelines to streamline the process, allowing for quick adaptations to client needs. Additionally, private endpoints ensured that access remained secure and compliant with strict financial regulations.

The migration also included adopting DevOps best practices such as infrastructure as code (IaC), security testing, and automated validation. According to Elcio, these measures brought significant advantages: “We’re not just moving to the cloud; we’re changing the way we work. Everything is automated, making it easier to scale and manage. This benefits both Rabobank’s teams and its clients.”

With this solution, Rabobank gets a better product, faster improvements, and fewer problems.

Elcio Filho

DevOps Engineer - Guild Leader

Delivering results and building for the future

The project’s benefits are already evident, with parts of the platform, such as email processing, running in production. Rabobank can now handle millions of document requests daily with minimal manual intervention. This adaptability has drastically reduced downtime and accelerated the delivery of new features.

Elcio explained the impact of these changes: “If Rabobank’s needs change – for example, increasing daily email volumes – we can adjust within minutes. Everything is already set up for scaling, and updates that once took hours or days now take minutes. The client gets a better product, faster improvements, and fewer problems.”

By adopting a cloud-first approach with DevOps best practices, Rabobank has future-proofed its document management system. This effort reflects the importance of Digital Transformation, not just for operational efficiency but for delivering better client experiences.