A Migration to the Cloud: Empowering Agencies with Microsoft 365
Over the past 18 months, our IT team has successfully migrated 10 agencies from the traditional on-premises servers to Microsoft 365 cloud environments—transforming their IT infrastructure and workflows. The overall project along with each agency’s migration was carefully planned and executed to minimize disruption while maximizing efficiency and security.
Each migration began with an assessment to evaluate existing workflows and their compatibility with Microsoft 365. Then, the team developed timelines customized to each agency’s size and complexity—ranging anywhere from three weeks to three months. Once the design and setup phases were completed, our team initiated the data migration (inclusive of users, files, emails, etc.) which was accomplished over a single weekend to reduce downtime and operational disruption.
Once migration was completed, our team provided hands-on demos and training to ensure the staff was confident in the new environment. IT also handled the procurement and provision of new laptops and desktops, set up a secure infrastructure, and managed identity synchronization and data migration.
Why Microsoft 365?
Switching to Microsoft 365 enhances our goal of supporting flexible, remote work for our clients. With this platform, employees can access their data and collaborate on documents from anywhere. File sharing, improved communications with teammates and improved functionality with different apps are a few of the benefits that enhance productivity. Utilizing 365 also offers a high level of security with common third-party cloud applications, and better positions clients for future software integrations.
Additionally, moving to the cloud reduced dependency on expensive servers and their associated costs including power, cooling, and maintenance. Without hardware to manage, our IT systems are more agile and can adapt quickly to software and market changes. From a cost optimization standpoint, clients have the flexibility to add or reduce the number of licenses on timelines that fits their needs.
By adopting Microsoft 365, our clients have improved workplace flexibility and productivity, access to the latest tools and updates, and the ability to grow and scale their operation more efficiently. It was an important step toward modernizing our IT infrastructure for the benefit of our clients – and their ability to advance their missions.
