Technology neutrality and long-term flexibility guided the architecture choices
For Business Finland, the goal was not simply to move systems to the cloud. The priority was to ensure that the new architecture remains flexible, maintainable and ready to evolve in the years ahead. That is why the solution is built on a container-based microservices model, where business logic is not locked into a single cloud service or technology.
“Our funding systems are business-critical for Business Finland, and they need to support change for years to come. We did not want a solution that locks us into one technology. Advania, AKS and the microservices model provide a strong foundation for that.”
— Juuso Ranne, Solution Architect, Business Finland
AKS enables faster application releases, controlled updates and more independent ways of working for development teams — without compromising manageability.
“From the very beginning, Business Finland had a clear vision: the architecture must be portable and built to last. AKS enables a modern microservices model without tying the business logic too tightly to any single cloud service.”
— Timothy Sikorski, Cloud & DevOps Architect, Advania
Security and log management were priorities from day one
Because the funding systems handle sensitive information, security and controlled log management became central priorities right from the project kickoff. It is essential to separate sensitive data appropriately and ensure that visibility and access rights are set at exactly the right level.
Azure Monitor and AKS Container Insights support a multi-layered logging model, where logs from different applications and services can be routed and restricted separately based on security and audit requirements.
A manageable environment built with Infrastructure as Code
The environment is built strongly around the Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principle. Advania’s experts introduced a Terraform-based model that makes it possible to define, version and audit infrastructure, networks and supporting services in a systematic way.
When an environment is built using Infrastructure as Code, it brings greater control, transparency and audit readiness. This is especially important in organizations where multiple applications and development teams operate within the same cluster.
A clear separation between shared infrastructure and project-specific resources also makes it easier to expand the environment for new services without adding unnecessary complexity.
Designed to scale and adapt to changing needs
Although the first AKS-based services are moderate in terms of workload, the architecture has been designed to account for predictable spikes in demand — such as peak usage around funding application deadlines.
Even if the first services are not large in scale, the architecture was designed so that it does not need to be rebuilt as demand grows. This is often where a modern cloud architecture starts to prove its value.
A partnership that supports both technology and business
One of the defining strengths of the project has been the open and collaborative way of working between the experts at Business Finland and Advania. Beyond the technical implementation, the project has also focused on operating models, documentation and the long-term development of the environment.
For Business Finland, it was important not to view this purely as a technical solution, but as a broader whole: how the environment will be developed, governed and expanded over time. In this, Advania’s advisory and sparring role brought clear value.
