Top online retailer bets on Azure to provide a stellar experience for 13 million customers worldwide

Summary

ASICS, a Japanese brand founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka, emphasizes the philosophy of 'a sound mind in a sound body.' The company aims to provide the best products for sports while focusing on accessibility and ease of use. ASICS has partnered with InSpark to implement Azure Active Directory and Microsoft Intune, enhancing its global digital infrastructure. The initiative supports 700 to 1,200 devices, ensuring seamless connectivity, security, and management across all regions. This modern workplace approach enables ASICS employees to work efficiently from anywhere, meeting the evolving needs of the business.

Takeaways

• 🇯🇵 ASICS is a Japanese brand founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka in Kobe, Japan.
• 🏋️‍♀️ ASICS stands for 'Anima Sana In Corpore Sano', which means 'a sound mind in a sound body'.
• 🎯 The company's goal is not to be the first but to provide the right products for athletes to perform at their best.
• 🌍 ASICS has seen major changes in recent years, with employees working across regions and promoting easy access to data globally.
• ⚙️ ASICS aims to have machines that are automatically updated, patched, and well-managed for applications.
• 🤝 ASICS partnered with InSpark to implement Azure Active Directory and Microsoft Intune for managing devices and security.
• 📱 The modern workplace for ASICS involves using the EMS Suite to allow users to work from anywhere while maintaining device control.
• 💻 ASICS is deploying 700 Surface devices and plans to grow to 1200 devices by mid-next year, managed under Intune MDM.
• 🔐 ASICS uses multi-factor authentication for secure access outside of trusted devices and centralizes all user data in Azure.
• 🌐 Mobile devices are crucial for ASICS salespeople to stay connected globally, whether in showrooms, offices, or customer environments.

Q & A

Who founded ASICS and when?

ASICS was founded by Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka in 1949, in Kobe, Japan.

What does the acronym 'ASICS' stand for?

'ASICS' stands for 'Anima Sana In Corpore Sano,' which is Latin for 'a sound mind in a sound body.'

What is ASICS' approach to providing products for sports?

ASICS focuses on bringing the right products to people so they can perform their sport in the best possible way, rather than aiming to be the first in the market.

What recent changes have been observed by ASICS in the last two years?

ASICS has seen a lot of changes, particularly regarding people working across regions and accessing their data from anywhere.

What was the goal of ASICS' recent project, and why did they seek a partner?

The goal was to have machines automatically updated and patched while managing applications, which was a project too large for ASICS to handle alone. They partnered with InSpark for this initiative.

What was tested in ASICS' proof of concept with InSpark?

ASICS and InSpark tested Azure Active Directory and Microsoft Intune in their proof of concept.

How does ASICS manage devices across its operations?

ASICS uses EMS (Enterprise Mobility + Security) to manage devices, ensuring that users can work from anywhere while allowing management to control devices at any time.

How many Surface devices does ASICS plan to deploy, and by when?

ASICS plans to deploy around 1200 Surface devices by mid-next year, with 700 already in the Intune Mobile Device Management area.

What solution does ASICS use to manage security and updates?

ASICS uses Windows 10, which automatically updates with the latest patches and security features, and recommends using one single active directory across the world, built in Azure.

Why are mobile devices crucial for ASICS' salespeople in EMEA?

Mobile devices enable ASICS' salespeople, who are often in different locations such as showrooms, offices, or customer environments, to stay connected and work from anywhere. They also ensure seamless communication with headquarters and colleagues globally.