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Google Cloud Platform > Case Studies > Alpred SL: Global Expansion of a Local Sports Paper with Google Cloud
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Alpred SL: Global Expansion of a Local Sports Paper with Google Cloud

Technology Category
  • Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
  • Sensors - Barcode Readers
Applicable Industries
  • Agriculture
  • Construction & Infrastructure
Applicable Functions
  • Sales & Marketing
Use Cases
  • Construction Management
  • Infrastructure Inspection
Services
  • Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
  • System Integration
The Challenge

Alpred SL, a Spanish information services company, faced the challenge of transforming a traditional print newspaper, Estadio Deportivo, into a sustainable, digital sports media brand. The company aimed to create a free, continuously updated, 100% digital sports news platform for Spanish-speaking sports fans worldwide. However, the existing infrastructure of Estadio Deportivo was entirely on-premise, and its content management system (CMS) was designed for both print and online versions, which was obsolete and no longer fit for Alpred's purposes. The company was dealing with constant setbacks, errors, and outages, which made it difficult to manage. Moreover, the sports world moves fast, and Estadio Deportivo’s services needed to be constantly available and handle considerable traffic peaks, especially on match days.

About The Customer

Alpred SL is a Spanish information services company that drives a number of innovative online projects, including the leading weather prediction service Meteored, available in 50 countries, and the Seville-based Estadio Deportivo, which provides continuously updated sports news to Spanish-speaking fans around the world. The company acquired the local sports newspaper Estadio Deportivo in 2021 and made the strategic decision to shut down the print version and go 100% digital. Alpred SL first migrated its infrastructure to the cloud in 2015, and since then has worked with Google Cloud as its main technology partner.

The Solution

Alpred SL partnered with Google Cloud to support the migration project. The company built an entirely new, cloud-based CMS custom-made for their needs and deployed it on Google Kubernetes Engine. This provided a robust architecture that the company could trust to help provide their services round-the-clock. The company also used Compute Engine, Cloud SQL, Cloud Build, Artifact Registry, Anthos, and Firestore to support its services. With Google Kubernetes Engine, Alpred SL could upscale and downscale automatically to handle traffic peaks. The company also worked closely with Google Play Console and Google Ad Manager to monetize Estadio Deportivo through advertising services. Google Cloud provided a secure, stable infrastructure that was available 24/7 and scaled as needed, which had a direct, positive impact on Alpred SL's bottom line.

Operational Impact

  • The partnership with Google Cloud has enabled Alpred SL to successfully transform Estadio Deportivo into a 100% digital sports news platform. The company now has a robust, cloud-based infrastructure that can handle traffic peaks, especially on match days, and provide services round-the-clock. The new infrastructure has also improved the page load and response times, which is crucial for a sports news platform that needs to be constantly updated. This has not only increased advertising revenue but also enhanced the user experience. Moreover, the company can now develop, test, and deploy new services faster and more easily. Looking ahead, Alpred SL plans to continue increasing its global portfolio of products and services, with several exciting new projects in the pipeline launching in 2023.

Quantitative Benefit

  • Provides a robust architecture with round-the-clock availability

  • Empowers teams to develop, test, and deploy new services faster and more easily

  • Enables faster page load and response times, increasing advertising revenue

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