--- title: Cloud Native Data Integration Platform for University of Nottingham description: Dootrix deploy cloud native data integration platform in Azure for the University of Nottingham. Democratise data and deliver better experiences to users. image: https://www.dootrix.com/hubfs/august-2023/Win-Release-Headers.001-e1571653835746.jpeg --- Case Study Data Integration Higher Education # Replacing **a decade of** **point-to-point debt** with a cloud-native integration platform. The University of Nottingham runs with the operational complexity of a small city; catering, transport, real estate, finance, HR, student systems. But its data infrastructure had grown tactically, not strategically. We helped them replace fragile point-to-point integrations with a governed, scalable Azure platform. And then we handed over architectural ownership so they could keep building it themselves. [Read the story ](https://www.dootrix.com/work/cloud-native-data-integration-platform-azure-university-of-nottingham#story) [Speak with the team ](https://www.dootrix.com/work/cloud-native-data-integration-platform-azure-university-of-nottingham#footer-cta) Client University of Nottingham Russell Group research university ·with 35,000+ students Engagment Cloud Native Data Integration Platform Discovery through delivery and Centre of Excellence Service Areas Data Integration Claud Platform API Services Technologies Azure APIM Service Bus Data Factory Cosmos DB Azure Devops Compounding problems point-to-point integration debt Never ending data replication issues No understanding of what existed The Challenge ## Integration debt, compounded over years. The University of Nottingham is one of the UK's leading research universities — a Russell Group institution with more than 35,000 students and a global campus presence. But in terms of operational complexity, it functions more like a small city than an academic institution: managing catering, communication infrastructure, transport, real estate, personnel, finance, and student services across a single, deeply interconnected organisation. The data infrastructure that supported all of this had grown tactically. Historically, integrations at UoN had used a point-to-point approach — developed in response to the immediate need for rapid delivery, rather than as part of a coherent architecture. Each integration connected two systems directly. As the number of systems grew, so did the mesh of connections between them. Over time, this became fragile: changes in one system rippled unpredictably through others, maintenance costs climbed, and deploying anything new carried genuine risk. As system complexity grew and technical debt accrued, excess cost and risk became the defining characteristics of UoN's integration landscape. The university wanted to evolve their approach — centralising and better coordinating data within and between systems — but needed a partner who could design the right architecture, deliver it safely, and ensure the internal team could own it afterwards. > Point-to-point integrations feel fast to build. Over time, they become the most expensive infrastructure a large organisation can maintain. > >   > > Because every new connection multiplies the complexity of every existing one. ### The approach We began with an in-depth analysis of UoN's infrastructure and business and technical requirements — not to produce a report, but to understand the integration landscape well enough to make the right architectural choices. We evaluated a range of solutions available on the market, including leading iPaaS (integration platform as a service) products, before recommending Microsoft Azure as the right foundation for a cloud-native data integration platform. Working closely with UoN's infrastructure and IT teams, we deployed Azure as the central integration layer for the university. The platform brought together Azure API Management, Service Bus, Data Factory, and Cosmos DB — a modern, event-driven architecture that could ingest, integrate, and process data from across the university's systems of record, rather than routing it through brittle bilateral connections. We prioritised two key systems of record first, establishing proven patterns before extending the platform outward. The entire process was managed end-to-end in Azure DevOps, using Infrastructure as Code and automation principles throughout — providing the basis for rapid but safe development and testing, and allowing for increased speed of delivery without compromising security or governance. **Azure API Management **Centralised API gateway providing governed, secure access to university data across systems. **Azure Service Bus **Reliable message queuing for asynchronous integration between systems of record. **Azure Data Factory **Data pipeline orchestration for ingesting and transforming data from multiple source systems. **Cosmos DB **Globally distributed NoSQL storage providing the persistence layer for integrated data. **Azure DevOps **End-to-end delivery management using Infrastructure as Code and automated deployment pipelines. **Infrastructure as Code **Every environment defined in code — enabling safe, repeatable deployments and handover to UoN's own teams. ### Building for handover, not dependency From the outset, the engagement was designed to end with UoN in control. Architectural ownership — the ability to understand, extend, and govern the platform independently — was not an afterthought. It was built into the delivery model from day one. Post-delivery, we continued our partnership with UoN to establish a Centre of Excellence within the university: sharing best practices, providing architectural ownership of the solution, and equipping their internal teams to take control of future integrations as they continued their transformation journey. This is the difference between delivering a platform and delivering capability. The work does not end when the code is shipped — it ends when the client no longer needs you in the room. We're continuing to work in partnership with UoN to modernise their wider infrastructure and to design and develop new applications built on top of the integration platform we've put in place. What they said > “ > > The strategic integration project and resulting integration platform are huge enablers in our digital transformation. The platform has helped us improve governance, make better use of the data we hold across the university and improve the experiences we can offer students and our employees. SG Sarah Goodwin Senior Project Manager, University of Nottingham More context ## For leaders navigating the same question. Context and thinking to help you move forward. [ Case Study ### APIM for Ofcom Azure APIM experts Dootrix transform the use of data at Ofcom Read the case study → ](https://www.dootrix.com/work/apim-for-ofcom-apis-powering-consumer-choice) [ Insights ### Streamlining Development with Azure APIM in DevOps, IaC, and CI/CD Azure API Management (APIM) with DevOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and Continuous Integration/Deployment (CI/CD) enhances the developer experience. Read more → ](https://www.dootrix.com/insights/streamlining-development-with-azure-apim-in-devops-iac-and-cicd) [ The Next Thing Now Podcast ### Enterprise Software Built By Agents Enterprise software is now being built by AI agents. Discover how delivery models are shifting from coding assistance to agent orchestration in production. Watch now → ](https://www.dootrix.com/the-next-thing-now-podcast/enterprise-software-built-by-agents) Work with us ## **Ready to accelerate** your digital transformation? Whether you're carrying integration debt, building a data platform from scratch, or trying to hand architectural ownership back to your own teams — we've done this before, in organisations as complex as yours. 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