The Customer
Our valued customer, a pioneer in the industry, has been producing and distributing premium grills globally for over five decades. Starting as a small family business in 1972, they initially focused on crafting gas barbecues. Today, they have emerged as world-renowned manufacturers, designers, and innovators in all aspects of outdoor living. With a presence in more than 30 countries, their expansive international network of partners further strengthens their global reach.
The Requirement
The client sought to harness the capabilities of the cloud by migrating their Dropbox data to Office 365, prioritizing the secure transfer of all data and recent updates without compromising data integrity.
Approaching Innovate Digital 365, the client sought comprehensive assistance in planning and executing a secure Office 365 migration within well-defined timeframes. Their objective was to maximize the advantages offered by the Microsoft Cloud, encompassing device management, Microsoft Teams Deployment, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Project Online. Notably, with a company size of 60 users and the absence of an internal IT department, their existing infrastructure lacked organization, defined policies, security measures, and overall coherence. Consequently, they aimed to establish an orderly and efficient working environment.
The scope of our engagement included:
- Setting up the Office 365 environment.
- Deploying the Office application suite.
- Assigning user licenses.
- Migrating all data from Dropbox to SharePoint sites.
- Implementing Teams with dedicated channels for each department.
- Deploying Project Online for project management purposes.
- Enrolling all PCs and mobile devices into Azure Active Directory.
- Implementing Intune for device management.
- Organizing a training plan for all employees.
- Creating comprehensive documentation for IT onboarding.
- Providing ongoing monthly IT support for employees.
Through our expertise and services, the client aimed to achieve a well-structured and productive work environment, leveraging the full potential of Office 365 and Microsoft Cloud services.
The Challenge
We encountered a challenge during the migration process due to the presence of large files that exceeded the migration limits. To overcome this, we came up with a solution: we separated those files and moved them individually to local storage before re-uploading them to Microsoft SharePoint. This ensured a smooth and successful migration.
Additionally, we faced another hurdle when syncing approximately 300,000 files to SharePoint using OneDrive. The process was slow and time-consuming. To address this, we collaborated with the company representative and made the decision to move some of the older data to an Azure file archive solution. This helped streamline the migration and improve overall efficiency.
As we migrated user profiles to Azure AD, we encountered an issue with the PCs using local user profile accounts. To prevent any data or settings loss, we used a special tool to convert the local accounts into Azure AD accounts. This way, users could seamlessly transition to Azure AD without losing any important data or settings.
Furthermore, we noticed that some of the laptops were outdated and needed an upgrade for better performance. In certain cases, we recommended purchasing new devices, while in others, we upgraded the RAM memory. These actions were taken to ensure that the users had modern and efficient devices to support their work.
Overall, we worked closely with the company, addressing each challenge personally and finding tailored solutions to ensure a successful migration experience.
The Solution
Data Restructuring: We diligently reorganized the data structure within DropBox before proceeding with the migration. This step ensured a streamlined and optimized transfer of data to Office 365.
Teams Groups and Channels: To enhance collaboration and departmental organization, we implemented a comprehensive Teams Groups and Channels strategy. This allowed for seamless communication and effective sharing of information among different departments.
Device Enrollment: We deployed a custom script to enroll all user devices into Azure AD, facilitating centralized device management. This step also enabled the enrollment of devices into Intune, empowering efficient device administration and security.
Software and Security Onboarding: Ensuring the highest levels of software compatibility and security, we onboarded all employees to the latest software versions. This step guaranteed that everyone had access to up-to-date tools and robust security measures.
Employee Training: To empower employees and maximize productivity within the new environment, we conducted tailored training sessions. These trainings equipped the staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to make the most of Office 365’s capabilities.
Through careful planning and swift execution, we successfully carried out the migration, ensuring a seamless transition and enabling the client to leverage the full potential of Office 365.
Results Obtained
Enhanced Collaboration: The deployment of Teams Groups and Channels facilitated improved collaboration among departments. Employees could seamlessly communicate, share files, and work together on projects, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.
Streamlined Data Organization: By reorganizing the data structure prior to the migration, the customer achieved a more efficient and logical arrangement of their files. This made it easier for employees to locate and access the information they needed, saving time and improving workflow.
Centralized Device Management: Enrolling all user devices into Azure AD and Intune provided the customer with centralized device management capabilities. This allowed for efficient administration, security enforcement, and software updates across all devices, resulting in improved IT management and reduced maintenance efforts.
Upgraded Software and Security: By onboarding employees to the latest software versions and ensuring robust security measures, the customer significantly enhanced their overall IT environment. Up-to-date software increased compatibility and access to new features, while strengthened security measures protected sensitive data and mitigated potential threats.
Empowered Workforce: The comprehensive training sessions delivered to employees empowered them with the knowledge and skills needed to make the most of Office 365’s capabilities. This resulted in an empowered workforce that could leverage the full potential of the new tools and technologies, leading to increased productivity and improved work efficiency.
Overall, the customer experienced improved collaboration, streamlined data organization, centralized device management, enhanced software and security, and an empowered workforce as key benefits following the migration.
