Hitachi and Rainforest Connection Join Forces to Defend the Rainforest and Confront Climate Change

Rainforest Connection started talking to Hitachi Vantara about these needs in December 2018, which initiated two major projects, both of which are being delivered as pro bono activities.

The first of these - Project Rain - started in February 2020. As part of the project, Rainforest Connection is working with Hitachi Vantara’s data scientists to create an AI-based model that will predict logging events before they actually happen. "Using up to five months’ worth of acoustic data from Sumatra’s rainforests and using the AI and machine learning algorithms, the Hitachi Vantara team has developed two different models to detect acoustic anamolies and disturbances," explains Bourhan Yassin, Chief Operating Officer at Rainforest Connection. "We’re currently testing them to identify the most effective solution."

Rainforest Connection has also been working with Hitachi Vantara to design a new cloud platform that will support continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD). The solution enables Rainforest Connection’s developers to deliver new code and updates faster, accelerating innovation. It also features strong authentication and security measures to safeguard the organization’s data.

The new platform simplified the transition from AWS to Google Cloud, and will ensure future migrations are also seamless. Thanks to Hitachi Vantara’s long-term strategic partnership with Google, Rainforest Connection can ensure it’s using the latest best-practice processes and technologies. The new platform is based on the open-source Google Kubernetes Engine, which combines over 15 years of Google's experience running production workloads at scale with ideas and practices from the community. Hitachi Vantara has been working closely with both Google and Rainforest Connection at every stage of the project to make decisions, share knowledge and train the internal team.

Phase two of the infrastructure project, which starts October 2020, involves implementing a composable cloud Data Lake. With a platform-agnostic data lake, Rainforest Connection will be able to maximize the value of its data without having to worry about security or networking overheads. "Working with Hitachi Vantara has been amazing," says Yassin. "It’s a true partnership with complete transparency. Hitachi Vantara has been focused on helping us make use of all the resources available to us – wherever they come from."

The projects have seen different departments across Hitachi Vantara – including Digital Advisory services (DVE - Digital Value Enablement), Data Science, Innovation Excellence, Cloud Modernization and Data and Analytics consulting services teams – all coming together to help with a common cause.