St-Hubert had considered moving to the cloud for some time, but the company was clear about one thing: it would not migrate simply because cloud adoption had become the norm.

The transition had to make sense from both a technical and business perspective. It also required a partner capable of understanding St-Hubert’s environment, adapting to changing needs and supporting its teams throughout the migration.

After evaluating several solutions, St-Hubert selected R2i and Edwin, its 100% Canadian sovereign cloud.

For Maxime Gascon, Director of Infrastructure and IT Support at St-Hubert, the decision was based on more than technology. The quality of the relationship and the team’s ability to respond when challenges arose were equally important.

Moving to the Cloud When It Made Sense

St-Hubert’s approach to cloud adoption was pragmatic. The company recognized the potential benefits of the cloud but did not want to migrate without a clear reason or a solution that met its requirements.

“I’ve always said that yes, we would move to the cloud, but not at any cost. We would do it when it made sense.”

Before making its decision, St-Hubert evaluated several possible solutions. This process allowed the company to compare the available approaches and determine which one was best suited to its technical environment and operational priorities.

From a technical standpoint, the R2i solution stood out.

“We evaluated several different solutions, and from a technical standpoint, we felt that R2i’s solution was superior.”

However, technology alone did not determine the outcome.

Looking for Partners, Not Vendors

St-Hubert does not simply look for companies that can provide a product or complete a transaction. It looks for partners that will remain involved and contribute to a longer-term relationship.

“First and foremost, Groupe St-Hubert looks for partners. We’re not looking for vendors.”

Maxime makes a clear distinction between the two.

“A vendor comes in, provides a product or service and leaves. A partner is about building a much longer-term relationship.”

This difference becomes particularly important during a cloud migration. Requirements can change, unexpected challenges can arise and decisions sometimes need to be made quickly.

An organization needs more than access to technology. It needs people who understand the environment, remain available and are prepared to adjust the plan when circumstances change.

Agility Throughout the Migration

During the project, St-Hubert’s needs sometimes evolved or changed at the last minute. According to Maxime, the R2i team remained available and adapted to those changes.

“Whenever we faced challenges or our needs evolved or changed at the last minute, they were always there for us.”

This agility was a crucial part of the migration.

A well-defined project plan provides structure, but a successful migration also requires flexibility. Technical constraints, business priorities and operational requirements can evolve as the project progresses.

R2i’s ability to respond to these situations helped St-Hubert move forward without losing sight of its objectives.

“R2i proved its agility and showed me that the team genuinely cares about its clients.”

A Partnership That Supports the Core Business

The purpose of an infrastructure partner is not to add complexity. It is to manage the technology effectively so the client can focus on its own operations and priorities.

For St-Hubert, working with a responsive and committed team provides that freedom.

“It allows us to focus on our core mission as a company.”

The cloud solution provides the technological foundation, but the relationship surrounding it is what helps the environment evolve over time.

Needs will change. New projects will emerge. Unexpected situations will occur. A long-term partner must be able to understand that changing reality and continue supporting the organization beyond the initial migration.

Choosing the Right Cloud Partner

A cloud decision should not be based solely on infrastructure specifications or price. Organizations should also evaluate the team that will support them before, during and after the migration.

Is the provider accessible? Can its team adapt when priorities change? Does it understand the organization’s operational reality? Is it interested in completing a transaction or building a lasting relationship?

For St-Hubert, these questions were central to the decision.

R2i combined a strong technical solution with the proximity, agility and long-term commitment the company was looking for.

If you are evaluating a cloud migration, R2i can help you assess your current environment, compare your options and determine which approach makes sense for your organization.