The opportunity at a glance
JB Hi-Fi needed to modernise its mission-critical SQL environment to ensure continued supportability, security and scalability across Australia and New Zealand. The ageing on-premises platforms were running legacy operating systems and SQL versions that underpinned essential retail systems, including point-of-sale, reporting and logistics. Arinco partnered with JB Hi-Fi to deliver a staged modernisation that moved core databases and services to Azure SQL Managed Instance, uplifted identity to Entra, enhanced networking and monitoring, and simplified reporting platforms. The result is a secure, supported and scalable data foundation that improves performance, reduces operational risk and positions JB Hi-Fi for future growth.
About JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi is a leading Australian and New Zealand retailer of consumer electronics, home entertainment and technology products, operating a large store network alongside thriving online channels. The organisation serves millions of customers across both countries and supports high volume transactions, logistics and merchandise operations with complex retail systems.
Business challenge
JB Hi-Fi needed to modernise its core SQL platform to maintain supportability, security and scalability across Australia and New Zealand. A wide range of interconnected applications rely on the SQL Server and Windows environment for daily trading, including long-standing point-of-sale and reporting services where identity and access patterns had grown increasingly complex over time.
The modernisation required careful sequencing to migrate safely to Azure, reduce technical risk and strengthen resilience, all while maintaining uninterrupted store and online operations. In essence, the program meant re-platforming the technology backbone of retail operations without interrupting trade.
Solution
Arinco partnered with JB Hi-Fi to deliver a staged migration of its SQL estate to Azure SQL Managed Instance, while uplifting identity, networking and operations to suit a modern cloud environment. The team began in New Zealand to de-risk the approach and capture learnings, then applied the pattern at scale in Australia.
The modernisation combined Azure SQL Managed Instance for core databases, Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) for dependent workloads, and Azure Virtual Desktop for targeted applications. Identity and access were redesigned around Entra ID groups, strengthening governance and reducing risk.
To prepare for migration, Arinco and JB Hi-Fi worked together to address legacy dependencies and modernise critical systems. Key activities included retiring legacy operating system hosts and consolidating New Zealand production databases, from 29 to 15. The team also decommissioned unused reports and data warehouses, improved redundancy for key Azure VMs, enhanced database security and visibility through Redgate monitoring, and defined standardised retention and governance patterns.
Network enhancements enabled reliable connectivity to Azure, while application upgrades ensured compatibility with the managed SQL platform and reduced operational complexity. Throughout delivery, Arinco, JB Hi-Fi and Microsoft operated as a single, integrated team, coordinating daily, sequencing dependent application changes and applying disciplined “go / no-go” checkpoints to safeguard trading.
Outcomes and impact
This project established a secure, supported and scalable SQL platform on Azure, delivered with zero disruption to trading, while enabling ongoing innovation across JB Hi-Fi’s retail and digital systems. Key outcomes include:
- Secure and compliant platform uplift: Enhanced security posture by moving to supported OS and SQL versions, tightening identity through Entra groups and modern access controls.
- Operational resilience: Improved redundancy and failover for critical workloads, reducing risk to store and online operations, and ensuring uninterrupted performance across more than 60 systems.
- Data platform consolidation: Migrated 2TB of data and consolidated the database estate to 15 databases, establishing repeatable patterns for future workloads.
- Performance and reliability: Improved stability and responsiveness for core applications connected to SQL Managed Instance, with further optimisation enabled through ongoing query refactoring.
- Simplified estate: Consolidated the New Zealand production database footprint by ~48% (29 to 15) and removed redundant reports and legacy components, simplifying operations and ongoing maintenance.
- Zero trading disruption: Delivered the platform modernisation with no impact to store or online operations, maintaining uninterrupted service throughout migration and cutover activities.
- Improved visibility: Strengthened monitoring and alerting using Redgate tools to enhance operational insight, troubleshooting and proactive response.
- Cloud readiness: Accelerated cloud adoption by migrating priority systems to Azure and establishing repeatable patterns for future workloads.
- Trading continuity: Maintained business operations during cutovers through careful sequencing, New Zealand-first migration and robust ‘go’ or ‘no-go’ controls.
- Future innovation: Enabled future data and AI initiatives with a modern, governed platform and clearer application dependencies.
