Overview

TOMS is a mission-driven company dedicated to improving lives. Since its founding in 2006, the organization has redefined what it means to merge profit with purpose. Best known as the pioneer of the One for One® giving model, TOMS has evolved its impact strategy and now directs one-third of its profits to support community-based organizations focused on advancing mental health.

Through its product offerings, which range from its iconic Alpargatas and espadrilles to boots, sandals, eyewear, and apparel, TOMS delivers stylish, comfortable, and versatile options that encourage people to quite literally Wear Good.

As a Certified B Corporation™, TOMS meets high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. With over 105 million lives positively impacted through its giving efforts, the organization remains committed to growing its impact by supporting meaningful causes and encouraging customer participation in its mission.

TOMS continues to lead by example, showing that business can be a powerful force for good, and that every purchase has the potential to create positive change. 

Supernova Award Category

Tech Optimization and Modernization

The Problem

TOMS faced significant challenges in managing equipment distribution and retrieval for their international contractors. Logistical delays in delivering essential tools often resulted in extended periods of inactivity, while recovering assets from global locations proved equally challenging. These difficulties in tracking and safely returning equipment led to inventory discrepancies and unforeseen costs, highlighting the urgent need for a streamlined solution.

The Solution

TOMS recognized the inefficiencies and high costs of shipping and retrieving physical hardware for international contractors, which created delays, increased operational overhead, and limited their ability to scale. Partnering with Cloud Life Consulting, they selected AWS WorkSpaces for its ability to provide secure, scalable virtual desktops, eliminating hardware logistics while improving onboarding speed and data security.

The results

Before implementing the solution, TOMS encountered ongoing challenges in onboarding international contractors due to the time-consuming process of shipping physical equipment across borders. These delays not only slowed productivity but also introduced significant costs and risks related to hardware loss, asset management, and data security. The lack of a centralized system made it difficult to scale and manage a globally distributed workforce efficiently.

After partnering with Cloud Life Consulting and deploying AWS WorkSpaces, TOMS transitioned to a fully virtual desktop environment. This eliminated the need for physical hardware shipments, allowing contractors to gain immediate access to secure, cloud-based desktops from anywhere in the world. The solution also introduced centralized identity and access management, improving security and oversight while reducing IT burden. This transformation significantly changed how TOMS operates globally and sets a disruptive example for other organizations seeking scalable, cost-effective solutions for remote workforce enablement.

Metrics

• Onboarding Time: Contractors received instant desktop access, allowing immediate onboarding without physical hardware.
• Implementation Costs: TOMS saved 35% on initial implementation costs by using AWS WorkSpaces instead of traditional deployment methods.
• Operational Efficiency: Achieved a 40% improvement in operational efficiency through the elimination of logistical challenges.
• IT Support Costs: Reduced IT support costs by 25% through streamlined asset management.
• Security: Improved data protection with AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) and centralized user control via Active Directory integration.
• Scalability: Gained the ability to flexibly scale virtual desktops to meet evolving contractor demands.

The Technology

Cloud Life Consulting deployed a custom solution leveraging Amazon WorkSpaces to deliver secure, scalable virtual desktops for TOMS’s global contractor network. The implementation included AWS Directory Service (AD Connect) to seamlessly extend TOMS’s on-premises Active Directory, allowing for centralized user provisioning and management. AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) was also integrated to ensure strict access control and enterprise-grade security across all virtual environments. This strategic combination of AWS services enabled TOMS to move from a hardware-based model to a fully cloud-native desktop experience.

Disruptive Factor

Cloud Life Consulting transformed traditional IT provisioning by replacing slow, hardware-dependent processes with a fully virtual, on-demand desktop environment. The team successfully addressed adoption challenges through hands-on technical support and clear change management practices, helping TOMS shift to a faster, more secure operating model. The project improved scalability, reduced costs, and allowed global contractors to be productive immediately. By challenging conventional methods and delivering a future-ready solution, Cloud Life demonstrated how cloud consulting can drive real operational change.

Shining Moment

For TOMS, a key moment was watching a long-standing logistical challenge transition into a streamlined, modern solution through the AWS WorkSpaces implementation. What began as a limited proof of concept became a broader shift in how we support our global contractors. Cloud Life Consulting brought steady guidance, deep expertise, and a collaborative approach that made the process both effective and smooth. The success of this project has had a lasting impact on how we think about scalability and infrastructure support.