CIS first approached the Nexio Group team with a problem in the mail server. However, knowing the on-premise servers were set to expire, Jenny also wanted to improve the overall IT infrastructure, bolster security, and enhance productivity. With no internal specialist IT resource, CIS also required ongoing support and guidance from the Nexio team.
As a first step, Managing Director Steve Ranson and the Nexio team conducted a full review of CIS’s existing IT environment. In addition to exploring what they had, Steve ensured he had a clear understanding of CIS as an organisation and what they wanted to achieve now and in the future. According to current CIS General Manager Jane Black, “This step has been integral to the successful partnership.”
This future-proofing came through Nexio’s recommendation to move to a cloud-based Modern Workplace with Microsoft 365. Considering CIS’s organisational plans, the volume of data and files, and the importance of easy accessibility and security, the decision to implement managed cloud services was relatively easy.
With a clear implementation plan established, the Nexio team worked closely with CIS to ensure all staff understood what was going to happen, when, and why. “The team at Nexio Group were very good at ensuring the whole organisation was kept in the loop. They took time to explain the process and address questions and concerns raised by staff,” says Jane.
However, as with any major change, some CIS employees were initially hesitant to embrace the Modern Workplace and were concerned about losing the servers and onsite support. The Nexio team worked with these team members to ensure they were as well-prepared as possible.
Microsoft Modern Workplace Delivers Flexible and Affordable Solution
With the planning phase complete, the Nexio team migrated CIS’ infrastructure to the cloud, starting with shifting 53 mailboxes to Exchange Online and all files into SharePoint. As a final step of the migration, the Nexio team decommissioned the on-premise servers.
The implementation took approximately three months from planning, through adoption until all employees were operating smoothly.
CIS Avoids Catastrophe Thanks to New Approach to Workplace
With Microsoft 365 deployed, CIS has been able to embrace new functionality, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), to strengthen security. Staff have established a productive working relationship with the Nexio Group team. With the managed cloud services operating seamlessly, Nexio turned their attention to the hardware in use at CIS. After conducting a full review, they recommended upgrading key equipment to ensure compatibility with the new Modern Workplace technology.
With CIS switching to a fully cloud-based solution, the organisation was well-prepared when disaster struck in February 2020. Heavy rains led to office flooding, destroying nearly all onsite hardware and rendering the premises unusable. Had CIS still relied on physical servers, this incident would have had serious ramifications. However, due to the shift to Modern Workplace, staff were able to access critical information remotely and maintain business as usual.
Following the floods, like so many businesses, CIS was subsequently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the resulting move to remote working which prompted CIS to maximise the productivity benefits of the Modern Workplace, using Microsoft Teams and SharePoint to improve collaboration and communication.
In addition to the productivity, security and accessibility benefits of the Modern Workplace, there has also been a clear cost benefit to CIS. This is particularly important for a not-for-profit, where all costs need to be justified to the Board.
