KEHA Centre’s Data Transformation: Building the Mylly Data Platform

Want to see how Agile Data Engine powers large-scale data transformation? Discover how KEHA Centre built a next-generation data platform to tackle public sector challenges.

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At the heart of Finland’s public sector transformation, the KEHA Centre faced a pivotal moment when employment services underwent a significant reform. As a national government agency, KEHA's responsibilities expanded beyond its traditional role – now overseeing employment services, job centers, and other functions affiliated with The Ministry of Employment and the Economy across Finland’s municipalities. These changes pushed it to reimagine how it handled data and delivered services to its stakeholders. 

The Development and Administrative Services Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (KEHA-keskus in Finnish or UF-centret in Swedish) operates nationwide with a distributed network model, supported by approximately 800 experts serving clients across Finland. 

The KEHA Centre's services are wide-ranging, from development and administrative services to knowledge management, digitalization efforts, and employment promotion. These services cover 15 ELY Centres, employment regions, municipalities, central agencies, public entities, associations, companies, farms, private customers, and welfare areas. 

Data transformation for a rapidly evolving landscape

With the increasingly complex operational landscape, simple data management was no longer enough. The KEHA Centre needed seamless data flow across government departments, municipalities, and employment services.

Because their existing systems struggled to keep pace with this new reality, in their data transformation the KEHA Centre team needed to consider: 

  • Complex and dynamic data needs: Integrating diverse data sources and enabling real-time analytics proved daunting. 
  • Reducing person dependency and inefficiencies: Key personnel were critical for operations, leading to bottlenecks and vulnerabilities.
  • Eliminating fragmented tools and processes: A lack of unified systems hindered agility and adaptability. 

To address these challenges, the KEHA Centre needed a comprehensive, scalable data platform – one that could support the diverse needs of multiple public sector entities. The project required both speed and long-term sustainability – a tall order when you need to build a new platforming solution from the ground up.  

Introducing Mylly: A data platform for the future

The KEHA Centre decided to call this new platform Mylly – which is the Finnish word for “mill.” Given the complexity of the data landscape, the team selected Data Vault as the modeling method to build Mylly Data Platform (Tietoalusta Mylly in Finnish). 

However, implementing Data Vault from the ground up under a tight schedule required efficient tooling. As Mylly’s Product Manager, Lea Pitkänen, explains: 

"We lived in a much smaller world before. Now, the scenarios are broader and more complex, with multiple systems, integrations, and data transfer methods."

Lea Pitkänen

Mylly’s Product Manager

Agile Data Engine: The Game-Changer

In order to implement Data Vault efficiently – without the repetitive manual effort typically required for a robust data model – the KEHA Centre adopted Agile Data Engine (ADE). They chose Agile Data Engine because of ADE’s ability to handle the intricate demands of Data Vault 2.0 modeling as well as providing other key benefits integral to the Mylly Data Platform’s operations. Because of ADE, numerous tasks are handled in the database:

"We handle everything within the database with Agile Data Engine — building, moving data, loading, and managing publication areas. Since Agile Data Engine handles these tasks and more, it has become our key tool for ensuring structure and version control."

Teemu Väisänen

Data Warehouse Architect

Key ADE features driving Mylly’s success

  • Unified DataOps platform: Consolidates data modeling, orchestration, and monitoring.

  • Version control: Ensures consistency and smooth transitions between testing and production.

  • Automation: Reduces manual oversight, allowing developers to focus on value-adding tasks.

  • Cloning feature: Simplifies complex projects, drastically reducing time and effort.

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"The cloning feature was a revelation. What would have taken days now takes only a few hours."

Vesa Takala

Data Analyst

A powerful project kickoff

The decision to use Agile Data Engine had a transformative impact from the very start. The team found inspiration in the depth and quality of  ADE Basic Training program. 

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"...Agile Data Engine for Data Engineers was very good. The material was prepared well, and the joint sessions and dailies were a good use of time and fostered a sense of togetherness."

Vesa Takala

Data Analyst

"During the training, I learned to do Data Vault 2.0 modeling – the training was an excellent introduction to both ADE and the Data Vault 2.0 method."

Kimi Öling

IT Specialist

Meanwhile, Data Warehouse Architect Teemu Väisänen appreciated that this training helps onboard new members. Väisänen also emphasized the value of Agile Data Engine’s advanced course which is great for any team member who might need additional training:

"When onboarding a new team member, it’s a big advantage that Agile Data Engine is the one clear place where all the data work is done. So that’s quite straightforward, and when additional training is needed, Agile Data Engine offers a more advanced crash course that's very effective."

Teemu Väisänen

Data Warehouse Architect

Implementing ADE brings immediate operational clarity

Following the succesful kickoff and training, Agile Data Engine’s implementation immediately clarified and streamlined operations. The KEHA Centre was able to centralize data, streamline processes, and provide actionable insights for agencies like ELY, TE-Services, and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.
 
Where previously developers juggled multiple tools and systems, they now had a single, unified platform for all data work. As Toni Mäkelä, Senior Technical Architect for the Mylly Data Platform at the KEHA Centre reflected:

"ADE handles practically everything – from data loads to monitoring and modeling. Without it, we’d need two or three different tools to achieve the same results."

Toni Mäkelä

Senior Technical Architect for the Mylly Data Platform

Agile Data Engine delivers results

According to Toni Mäkelä, Senior Technical Architect, ADE introduced standardized practices that ensured consistency, even when external consultants were brought in. These changes are particularly noticeable in how new team members adapt. The learning curve, which is often a significant hurdle in complex data environments, became manageable so new developers can quickly grasp the unique aspects of the system, a skill reinforced by ADE’s training. As a result, both new hires and external consultants could contribute meaningfully within days rather than weeks. 

Key benefits of ADE implementation

  1. Faster Onboarding: New team members were operational in three days, thanks to ADE’s intuitive processes and effective training.

  2. Increased Agility: Data requests that previously took weeks are now completed in days, enhancing responsiveness to stakeholders.

  3. Improved Data Trust: Automation and visibility fostered confidence in data outputs across agencies.

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Perhaps most significantly, the KEHA Centre achieved something rare in large-scale data operations - consistency. Whether work was done by internal staff or external consultants, the output maintained a uniform standard. This standardization accelerated their ability to deliver solutions to business stakeholders, meeting their expectations for quick, reliable results. 

Mylly Data Platform: The backbone of KEHA’s data ecosystem

The Mylly Data Platform emerged as another crucial piece of the puzzle, serving as the backbone for reporting and monitoring. Together with ADE, KEHA created a robust ecosystem that could handle both routine tasks and complex, custom requirements – all while ensuring compliance with legal and data governance mandates essential to public sector organizations.


One pivotal use case for the KEHA Centre team involved preparing municipalities for new employment services obligations in 2024. Agile Data Engine enabled the Mylly Platform to provide: 

  • Secure data storage and separation: Ensures compliance with precise legal requirements.
  • Efficient migration: Transferring large datasets smoothly between environments.

"With ADE’s version control, we securely delivered tailored data packages to municipalities without disrupting existing workflows.”

Vesa Takala

Data Analyst

The KEHA Centre’s data operations stand as a testament to successful digital transformation in the public sector. Their environment, though more complex than ever, runs smoothly with reliable data pipelines and seamless integration. What began as a response to organizational change  has evolved into a model for efficient, adaptable data management, ready to meet future challenges in Finland’s employment services landscape.

"ADE introduced common practices, ensuring consistency whether work is done by our team or consultants.”

Toni Mäkelä

Senior Technical Architect

Lessons for Public Sector Data Teams

KEHA’s journey serves as blueprint for public sector organizations looking to modernize their data operations: 

  • Unified Tools: ADE consolidates multiple functions, eliminating the need for disparate tools.
  • Agility and Resilience: Supports complex environments while reducing person dependency.
  • Empowered Teams: Simplifies workflows and fosters a collaborative culture

The KEHA Centre’s successful data transformation resulted in a Finnish trademark for the Mylly Data Platform in 2024. As Lea Pitkänen remarked, “Our work is being benchmarked across the field. Interest in Mylly has grown significantly."

The KEHA Centre's journey with Mylly demonstrates how innovation, powered by the right tools, can transform public sector data management into an impact driver that helps public sector organizations become more data driven and efficient. Today  the Mylly Data Platform, powered by Agile Data Engine, is a cornerstone of the KEHA Centre’s strategy of delivering standardized data products and self-service analytics. This empowers stakeholders to manage operations more effectively ensuring long-term success in an ever-evolving landscape.

 

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If you’d like to learn more about how Agile Data Engine can help your data transformation succeed, reach out for a demo or request a call!

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Matti Karell, CEO
Agile Data Engine

ADE Insights Oy
Eteläesplanadi 8
00130 Helsinki
FINLAND

Business ID: 3370778-2
VAT: FI33707782

matti.karell@agiledataengine.com

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