Life Technologies initially planned to build out its own data center infrastructure, but when a cost analysis revealed that by using Amazon Web Services the company would save $325,000 in hardware alone for a single new initiative, the company decided to use AWS instead. Within 6 months of adopting AWS, Life Technologies launched their Digital Hub platform in production, which now undergirds Life Technologies' entire instrumentation product suite.This immediately began to decrease their time-to-market and enhance their customers' user experience. In this session, we provide an overview of our path to the AWS cloud, with particular focus on the evaluation criteria used to make a cloud vendor decision. We also discuss the lessons learned since going into production.

1. Life Technologies' Journey to the Cloud
Mark Field, CTO, Life Technologies
November 13, 2013
© 2013 Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates. All rights reserved. May not be copied, modified, or distributed in whole or in part without the express consent of Amazon.com, Inc.

2. Life Technologies' Safe Harbor Statement
This presentation includes forward-looking statements about our anticipated results that involve risks and uncertainties.
Some of the information contained in this presentation, including, but not limited to, statements as to industry trends and
Life Technologies' plans, objectives, expectations and strategy for its business, contains forward-looking statements that
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking
statements. When used, the words "believe," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "target," "estimate," "expect" and the like,
and/or future tense or conditional constructions ("will," "may," "could," "should," etc.), or similar expressions, identify
certain of these forward-looking statements. Important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from
those in the forward-looking statements are detailed in filings made by Life Technologies with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Life Technologies undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to
reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
© 2013 Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates. All rights reserved. May not be copied, modified, or distributed in whole or in part without the express consent of Amazon.com, Inc.

3. About Life Technologies
We are a global life-sciences company that believes
in the power of science to transform lives
To support scientists worldwide,
we offer high-quality, innovative
products and services – from
everyday essentials to
sophisticated instruments.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
$3.8 billion revenue (2012)
10,000 employees
1,500+ scientists
180 countries
50,000+ products
5,000+ patents & licenses
675,000+ citations
Shaping discovery. Improving life.

4. What We Do
Accelerating Scientific
Discovery
Applying Biology
Beyond Research
Molecular Diagnostics
Our products enable and accelerate research in all areas
from discovery to biologics to applications, improving the
human condition

5. This Is Why We’re Here
Life-Changing Medicine
The Pervenio™ Lung RS test
indicated that Jamie Gonzalez,
a mother of two who
underwent surgery to remove
a tumor in her lung, had a very
high risk of cancer recurrence.
She started on chemotherapy
and is now cancer free.
Whole-genome sequencing
has enabled doctors to provide
the Beery twins with a simple,
highly effective treatment for a
rare condition.

6. Two Disruptive Technologies Collide
Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing is the most disruptive technology in the
first decade of the twenty-first century
Genetic Sequencing
Perhaps the most useful tool ever developed to explore
the mysteries of human development and disease

7. Genetics
• The Human Genome Project was a milestone in science
• Creating the reference genome is the starting point to
unraveling the mystery of biology
• We have the tools and know how to read, write and
understand DNA
• Over the next decade we are going to see developments
in medical science that will forever change the way we live
• Living long and healthy is the most important are of all
scientific achievements

8. “In the Next 10 Years, Data Science Will Do More
for Medicine than All Biological
Sciences Combined”
Vinod Khosla
Venture capitalist and founding Chief Executive Officer of Sun
Microsystem
September 2013

9. Steps to Obtaining Biological Insight We Can Use
1. Transform biological data into digital data
2. Analyze digitized biological data to gain knowledge
3. Use the knowledge to take informed actions
We can do that!
But it’s not that simple…

10. Transform Biological Data into Digital Data
•
Thousands of scientists around the world are working hard to understand the functions
of DNA and RNA
•
The digitization of biology is critical to understanding the mystery of how life functions
•
Sophisticated Instruments from Life Technologies and others do this transformation
–
–
•
Ion Proton : Full Human Genome Sequencing
QuantStudio 3D: digital PCR
Where do we store all this data?
–
–
Locally on customer storage
Increasingly data is being stored in the cloud

11. Biological Data Challenge
Digitizing biology produces huge volumes of data
• 3.2 billion base pairs in the human genome. CGATTTAGGCCT…
• One person’s genome from one cell written on a ticker-tape would
stretch from NY to LA
– Requires massive compute resources to sequence and analyze
– Life Tech instruments create an estimated 10 petabytes of data
in 2013
– Most researchers and scientists don’t have easy and affordable
access to the IT services that the biological data demands

12. Analyze Digitized Biological Data to Gain Knowledge
•
•
Complex algorithms and software are the essential tools to understanding
biological data
The computing resources to do this are often huge
– Genetic sequencing alignment requires massive compute resource few could
afford
•
•
•
•
Use reference data banks to recognize the biology and know what it does
As the biology and scientific knowledge improves, you need to maintain
the most up-to-date knowledge bases and provide low-cost global
distribution of knowledge
Aid the collaboration and participation of all the world’s researchers
The most efficient way to provide the compute, data and collaboration is
via cloud

13. Using Biological Knowledge to Take Informed Actions
• Application of biological knowledge is very diverse
–
–
–
–
Cancer is a clear case
Rare genetic disease via inheritance
Human identification: CSI-type applications helping law enforcement
Synthetic biology: Huge potential in biofuel, food production
• All require unique applications
• Innovative bio apps are being built on the cloud and
will have profound impact on all we do
– 23andMe.com (great value at just $99)

14. The Cloud Powers Life Tech’s Digital Hub
Vast array of innovative applications
Collaborative space to work
securely
Marketplace to buy products
and service
Instrument
integration
Data integration
Powered by a powerful cloud
infrastructure
Storage | Compute | Network
External
Data

15. Genomics and Cloud Computing Tackle
Cancer

16. We Are Living Longer
AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH FOR MALES AND
FEMALES, 1900–2010 IN THE UNITED STATES
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census 2010

17. Cancer Will Be the Leading Cause of Death

18. Cause of Death by Age Group

19. Cancer Facts
• Half of all men and one-third of all women will develop
cancer in their lifetime
• Cancer is a disease of cells
• Cancer begins when DNA is damaged in your cells
causing those cells to grow out of control

20. Cancer and Genetics
• Advances in genetics and molecular biology have improved our
knowledge of the inner workings of cells
• Knowledge and understanding of genetics is helping researchers
develop better ways understand, detect and possibly even cure
cancer
• Sequencing cancer DNA and then analyzing the sequence is how
we get the insights into cancer
• Sequencing cancer converts the chemical code of DNA into a digital
code that computers can store and analyze
• Knowledge databases store the known genetic markers of cancer

21. The Cloud Powers Life Tech’s Digital Hub
Vast array of innovative applications
Collaborative space to work
securely
Marketplace to buy products
and service
Instrument
integration
Data integration
Powered by a powerful cloud
infrastructure
Storage | Compute | Network
External
Data

22. Nice Vision, But How Do You Do That?
• Cloud Infrastructure: Build or buy
• Bioinformatics platform: Build it because
you can’t buy it
• Applications : Build, buy, and partner

23. Life Selects AWS as
Infrastructure Cloud Partner

24. Cloud Provider Landscape (2011)
Infrastructure-as-a-Service
Market Share Leader
AWS Leader in 2011 Gartner IaaS
Magic Quadrant
(*) Gartner
Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud Infrastructure as a Service, 2011
(**) The Wall Street Journal, Meet the Rainmakers, 2011
In 2013 AWS leadership is even greater!

25. Global Infrastructure for AWS
GovCloud
(US ITAR
Region)
North America
Ashburn, VA (2)
Dallas, TX (2)
Hayward, CA
Jacksonville, FL
Los Angeles, CA (2)
Miami, FL
Newark, NJ
New York, NY (2)
Palo Alto, CA
Seattle, WA
San Jose, CA
South Bend, IN
St. Louis, MO
US West US West
(Northern
California)
(Oregon)
US East
(Northern
Virginia)
South
America
(Sao Paulo)
Europe
Amsterdam (2)
Dublin
Frankfurt (2)
London (2)
Madrid
Milan
Paris (2)
Stockholm
EU
(Ireland)
Asia Australia
/NZ
Pacific
Asia
Pacific
(Singapore)
(Tokyo)
(Sydney)
Asia
Hong Kong
Osaka
Singapore (2)
Tokyo (2)
South America
Sao Paulo
AWS Regions
AWS Edge Locations
Australia/New Zealand
Sydney

26. Built for Enterprise Security Standards
Certifications
Physical Security
HW, SW, Network
SOC 1 Type 2 (formerly
SAS-70)
Data centers in nondescript
facilities
Systematic change
management
ISO 27001
Physical access strictly
controlled
Phased updates
deployment
Must pass two-factor
authentication at least
twice for floor access
Safe storage
decommission
PCI DSS for EC2, S3,
EBS, VPC, RDS, ELB, IAM
FISMA moderate compliant
controls
HIPAA & ITAR compliant
architecture
Physical access logged
and audited
Automated monitoring and
self-audit
Advanced network
protection

27. AWS Services We Use Today at Life Technologies

28. Amazon Web Services
(AWS)
Life Tech Cloud Platform Components
Cloud Applications
Panda
Aero
Pascal
Digital Hub Application Platform
User Manager
App Manager
Data Manager
Subscription
Manager
Metrics
Manager
Instrument
Integration
Mobile APIs
Analytics
eBusiness
Core IT
Systems
Flash
Comergent,
LT.com Portal
OAM Identity
Management
Instrument/Servi
ces Portal
Corporate IT System
E1 (ERP)
EDW
Middleware
Product Search
Siebel
Agile

29. Life Tech’s Cloud is LIVE!
• Several instruments are now cloud enabled,
many more to be released in 2014
• Several SaaS apps are live too, many more in
the works for 2014
• Thousands of very happy customers actively
using Life Tech cloud service
• Much more work ahead…

30. Impact: Applying Cloud to Scientific Research
• Before Cloud
–
–
–
–
Scientists need to install software on PCs
PCs are limited in compute and storage
Plate studies restricted to 10 plates per study due to PC memory / CPU size
To do more than 10 plates, the scientist needs to collect and analyze data in Excel; very time
consuming manual work that is error prone
• Moved analysis to the cloud
–
–
–
–
In the cloud we use large compute instances
Can process 150 plates in seconds vs hours
Saving scientists days of managing the study in Excel
Cost of cloud compute: $4
Full automation and saving days of science time

31. Cloud Speeds Research by Providing
Inexpensive Compute and Storage
120x improvement in plate-processing time

32. Lessons on How to Succeed at Building a Cloud
•
Use cloud to transform the relationship with the customer
•
Give the customer incredible VALUE
•
Pay attention to developing technical cloud skills
•
Make reliability your top priority (even before usability)
•
Security is the top customer concern, so address that first
•
Use open standards and provide clear architectural governance so that app
developers are producing high-quality productively and predictably
•
Usage metrics are the key to success
•
Don’t waste time trying to convert everyone, just get support from your top
executive
•
Move fast to beat the innovation killers

33. Imagine the Possibilities
I believe we are entering a new era in
science where every researcher has access
to technology that reads DNA and super
computers to analyze DNA. This will improve
our lives in ways we can’t imagine today.
Over the next decade we will all
benefit from the exciting future
made possible by the convergence
of cloud computing and genetics.

34. Life Technologies’ Journey to the Cloud
- Recommendations
Sean Baumann, Director of Enterprise Software Engineering
November 13, 2013
© 2013 Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates. All rights reserved. May not be copied, modified, or distributed in whole or in part without the express consent of Amazon.com, Inc.

35. Lifetech AWS Footprint
•
•
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4 AWS regions
35+ application environments
11 deployed applications, customer facing
350 average and 1,145 peak EC2 instances

36. AWS Spend Breakdown
AWS Usage
EC2 Breakdown
EC2
RDS
Compute
DynamoDB
EBS
Support
Everything
Else
Everything
Else

37. Architecture

38. Architecture, AWS Services
•
Amazon EC2 is the foundation
–
–
•
Accelerate application development through use of AWS services
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
•
Substitution for server virtualization
Networking features: Amazon Virtual Private Cloud, Elastic Load Balancing, Elastic IP, Amazon Route 53
Save time in database management: Amazon Relational Database Service, Amazon DynamoDB
In-memory caching with ElastiCache
Decoupling components through queuing: Amazon Simple Queue Service, Amazon Simple Notification
Service
Flexible storage using web object store: Amazon Simple Storage Service
Anticipate dynamic services
Architect for failures, reduce dependencies
Instances are temporal, services will change
Reliability is the priority
–
–
–
Multitier architectures, eliminate single points of failure
Load balancing, multiple Availability Zones
Use tools such as Netflix Simian Army to test resiliency

39. Lifetech Journey
• Identify the business need, focus on innovation
• Select a project for demonstrating capability, specific
success criteria
• Enlist support from organization leadership
• Build and organize the cloud team
• Execute in an iterative approach
• Show value through metrics
• Commit to continuous improvement

40. Gain Leadership Support
• Well-defined scope and success criteria for initial project
–
–
–
–
Start small, show quick wins
Consider a proof of concept with short duration
Use AWS to fail fast
Is success of your cloud project based on functioning software or ability to shorten
development cycle?
• Educate stakeholders on cloud fundamentals
–
–
–
–
Difference between public and private cloud
TCO calculations, http://aws.amazon.com/tco-calculator/
Low initial investment, quick-start initiatives
AWS shared responsibility model
• Publish a usage policy
–
–
–
Define and enforce acceptable use
Clearly state roles and responsibilities across teams
Create “contact” with AWS users regarding billing

41. AWS vs. On Premises
Application Services
Support
Environment
Storage
Compute
On Premises
AWS

42. AWS Usage Pattern
EC2 Usage
Maximum

43. Gain Support, Cost Transparency
• Show exactly what services are used
– Sign up for AWS detailed billing
– Consider Netflix ICE https://github.com/Netflix/ice
• Tie value to consumed services
– Use resource tagging to identify applications and tiers
• Show resource utilization
– Retire unused resources
– Use metrics to determine appropriate resource sizing
• Consider alternate architectures
– Reduce redundancy for lower environments

44. Build the Team, DevOps
•
•
Recognize interdependence of software
engineering and IT operations
Abandon traditional IT silos
–
•
Development
Separate teams cause process bottlenecks
Define DevOps for your organization
–
–
Blur the lines between development, system
administration and QA
DevOps is not a separate organization
DevOps
Quality
Assurance
Infrastructure
Operations

45. Build the Team, Training
• Commit to AWS training
– Train the team, not an individual
– Utilize AWS reference architectures
– Keep up to date on AWS releases

46. Use Knowledge Resources
• Consider AWS support
– Several support levels available
– Not just for technical issues, but also use case review
• Leverage the AWS forums
– Collective experience of the developer masses
– Get near instant answers to questions
• Meet-ups
– Learn from people in your local community

47. Build the Team, Agile
• Recruit the right talent, both internal and external
– Development team, SCRUM master, product owner
•
•
•
•
Empower cross-functional development teams to deliver
Time-box development through Agile methodology
Clearly communicated definition of “done”
Principle 10: Simplicity – the art of maximizing the
amount of work not done – is essential

48. Continuous Delivery
Less Control
DEV
More Control
TEST
Continuous Delivery
STAGE
Continuous Delivery
PROD
Continuous Delivery
• Restrict control in high-value environments
• Lessen developer need to access higher environments
• Use automation to create continuous delivery
– Remove human error
– Ensure code quality

49. Report on Metrics
• Select meaningful metrics, report regularly
–
–
–
–
–
Quality, defects
Turn-around, velocity
Predictability
Resource utilization
Cost
• Comparison to previous efforts
– Select metrics that are equivalent

50. Continuous Improvement
• Assess work completed, set standards
– Evaluate technical decisions
– If it worked, consider it a standard and publish findings
• Be prepared to throw something away
– Use “spikes” to try technologies, learn through doing
– A solution created during a sprint meets a current need, maybe not the long-term need
– Code may need to be refactored as the team learns
• Don’t limit improvements to technology
– Consider improvements to organization and process
– SCRUM retrospectives
– Be open with feedback, ask for outside perspectives

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