Workplace Migration Case Study: Cranham Leisure

Modern businesses in all sectors are increasingly ‘hybrid workplaces’, using a combination of locally stored and cloud-based applications and storage solutions to meet the needs of a flexible workforce. One of our core services at the moment is workplace migration, helping customers move files from on premises services to Microsoft SharePoint, and decommissioning obsolete on premises servers to save money and space.

A good example of a recent project of this type was our work with Cranham Leisure.

About The Client

Cranham Leisure is a family run vehicle sales business specialising in buying, selling, and maintaining caravans, motorhomes, and camper vans. Under the same ownership since 1984, Cranham Leisure operates out of two locations in Upminster and Hatfield Peverell.

The client operates a ‘traditional’ IT infrastructure which until recently was largely based on on-premises software and data storage, but has incorporated more cloud-based and SaaS applications into its infrastructure over the past few years.

The Challenge

In common with many multi-location SMEs, the customer’s IT infrastructure was largely dependent on an ageing on-site server, and was using a VPN to connect and share files between their two offices. This filesharing process was less secure than it could be, and the customer was concerned about data and cyber security. The server was also becoming unreliable and costly to maintain.

Project Goals

The customer wanted to modernise and streamline their IT infrastructure, to improve their filesharing process. They did not want the capex cost of investing in a replacement server, so were interested in finding out how modern workplace solutions could shift their IT expenditure to an operation cost model.

Our Solution

Our proposed solution was to upgrade their Microsoft 365 licence to make full use of the platform’s premium security services and file management aspects. This was to be delivered as a managed service so the customer could take full advantage of the tools and opportunities provided by their licence.

So, our first task was to implement Microsoft 365 Business Premium, which is the licence type that includes all Microsoft services such as SharePoint and Intune, which were required for this project. We also recommended implementing Microsoft 365’s backup service, to replace the role of the old on-site server.

How We Helped

Our team integrated the customer’s data into Microsoft SharePoint and implemented a cloud backup service to backup their data in the cloud. This gave them fast and secure access to shared files across the two locations, while removing the cost and security implications of maintaining an on-site service.

Systems were put in place to backup the following 365 elements in real-time:

• Microsoft 365 Exchange
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft OneDrive.

To keep the SharePoint data secure we put Conditional Access, Microsoft Intune, Bitlocker, and secure application policies in place before migrating any data. Intune is an extremely efficient security measure for businesses that use Microsoft 365, as the application requires that all devices that access the data be compliant with Microsoft’s requirements.

Conditional Access further enhances security by restricting the physical locations from which users can log on – e.g. the two offices and any approved homeworking. This protects against malicious users accessing the data from ‘undesirable areas’ – e.g. cybercrime ‘hotspots’ like Russia and Nigeria.

Bitlocker drive encryption was also enabled.

To ensure a smooth and nondisruptive transition for the customer, we focused on groups of five users at a time to avoid interruption to business, and to give the customer the best support.

Our final task was to decommission and power down the server ready for safe disposal by the customer. This involved securely removing all data and advising the customer on the most efficient way of recycling their old equipment.

Outcomes

By the end of the project, the customer no longer had the headache of maintaining their old server, so there was no need for expensive extended warranties, worrying about support being discontinued, or that an unexpected event (fire, flood, power cut, break-in, cyber attack) could take the server down and bring the business to a grinding halt.

With files now secure in SharePoint, they aren’t reliant on one server, as they have the full capacity of Microsoft’s modern workplace solutions to power them.

Smoother file sharing and storage has also increased productivity in the two offices, as it is easier for the customer to control access to sensitive information such as payroll and customer details, and to quickly share information and files between project teams.

This all adds up to better cost management and lower overheads for the customer, giving them the flexibility to strengthen productivity and efficiency in key areas.

Customer Feedback

“The project was rolled out efficiently, through the nature of our business I can be away from my desk and phone a lot but TMB were able to work around that to get the job done”

Connor Hilton, Sales Manager, Cranham LeisureSales

Find Out More

To find out more about our workplace migration services and how we can support your business, please get in touch with TMB today or call us directly on 0330 912 8163