Building a modern data platform for Finland’s premier ski resort
The Challenge
Ruka's sales data was scattered across spreadsheets and disconnected systems, limiting reporting quality and business decision-making.
Our Solution
Mallow implemented a modern cloud data platform on Azure using a proven architecture model for mid-sized organizations.
Key Outcome
The delivery finished under budget and ahead of schedule, and Ruka now runs on unified, reliable business data.
Mallow’s Role
Azure Data Architect led the project using a pre-built data platform architecture template.
Ski passes, accommodation, and equipment rental. As one of Finland's most popular winter sports resorts, these are Ruka's main products. However, if the data platforms are not up to date, understanding the core business and analysing sales data can be anything but simple. Ruka's commercial director Kaisa Sirniö reveals that the modernisation project of the data platform was initiated so that sales would have access to efficient tools and sufficient predictability.
"We needed a reporting system where sales data from different business functions is accurate, comparable, and easily accessible." — Kaisa Sirniö
Data is crucial in pricing and campaign planning. Before Mallow's solution, Ruka's data was scattered across spreadsheets and separate systems.
Good planning is half the success
The data platform built on Azure is flexible and relatively easy for the organisation to implement. Mallow, having successfully executed numerous modernisation projects, offers a template for data platform architecture, tailor-made for medium-sized organisations. This is how Tomi Asp, the Azure Data Architect who led the modernisation project for Ruka, describes the project:
"In our solution, a significant share of time-consuming components is pre-designed. That lets us start quickly and cost-effectively." — Tomi Asp
Mallow's solution was highly agile, as many parts were clearly thought through in advance. The teams felt aligned from day one.
A future trail cleared
Ruka now has a modern, cloud-based data platform in use, where the sales data of the core business is easily accessible.
"We have taken a significant leap forward. Operational management and sales can now work from unified data." — Kaisa Sirniö
According to Asp, one of Azure's strengths is the fact that it will be a secure foundation in the future.
What We Achieved
- Delivered the reporting system under budget and ahead of schedule.
- Enabled sales and operations to run on unified business data.
- Built a scalable cloud data platform for future needs.
Ruka has a skilled team that adopted the new reporting setup successfully. The platform is built so new capabilities can be added as business needs evolve.
