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Case study: SharePoint on-premises to Microsoft 365 migration for a financial services firm in Alabama

Case study_ SharePoint on-premises to Microsoft 365 migration for a financial services firm in Alabama
Fastrack Migration

Client overview
 A financial services firm based in Alabama, with over 150 employees, had been relying on SharePoint on-premises for document management and internal collaboration. As the firm expanded its services and client base, it became increasingly clear that their current setup was limiting their ability to collaborate efficiently, ensure security compliance, and scale with their growing needs. The firm decided to migrate to Microsoft 365’s SharePoint Online to take advantage of enhanced collaboration tools, better security, and reduced infrastructure costs.

The challenge

Outdated collaboration tools:


 The financial firm was struggling with limited collaboration features in their on-premises SharePoint environment. Sharing documents between departments and collaborating on projects in real-time was difficult, leading to inefficiencies. Employees were often working in silos, resulting in delays and version control issues, especially when handling large, sensitive financial documents and reports.

Security and compliance risks:


 Operating in the financial services industry meant the firm had to comply with strict regulatory requirements, including data protection and security standards. Managing the security of their on-premises SharePoint system required constant updates and monitoring, which strained their IT resources. Additionally, the firm was concerned about potential vulnerabilities and data breaches, especially with the growing frequency of cyberattacks targeting financial data.

High IT maintenance costs:


 Maintaining the on-premises infrastructure required regular hardware upgrades, software patches, and ongoing IT support, all of which led to rising costs. The firm realized that continuing to invest in physical infrastructure and the resources needed to manage it was no longer sustainable as they expanded. They needed a more cost-effective, cloud-based solution that could scale with their business.

Lack of flexibility and scalability:


 As the firm grew, the limitations of their on-premises system became more apparent. Scaling up their infrastructure to accommodate new users and services required significant investments in hardware, which was time-consuming and costly. The firm needed a more flexible solution that could easily adapt to the changing needs of their business without the complexity of managing physical infrastructure.

The solution

Medha Cloud worked with the financial services firm to execute a seamless migration from SharePoint on-premises to Microsoft 365’s SharePoint Online, providing a comprehensive solution that addressed their collaboration, security, and scalability challenges.

Detailed planning and assessment:


 We started with a full assessment of their existing SharePoint environment, identifying critical data, document workflows, and compliance needs. This allowed us to create a tailored migration plan, ensuring that the migration would be smooth and minimize disruptions to their day-to-day operations.

Enhanced collaboration with Microsoft 365:


 Moving to SharePoint Online and integrating it with Microsoft Teams and OneDrive significantly improved how employees collaborated across the firm. Real-time co-authoring and document sharing through Teams allowed employees to work together more effectively on financial reports, client portfolios, and internal projects. Additionally, OneDrive provided each user with personal cloud storage, which streamlined file sharing and ensured that everyone was working with the most up-to-date documents.

Improved security and compliance:


 Microsoft 365’s built-in security features, such as data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), provided the firm with the robust security needed to protect sensitive financial data. We also helped the firm set up compliance policies that aligned with industry regulations, such as FINRA and SEC, ensuring that their data remained secure and their operations compliant with regulatory standards.

Cost savings and reduced IT burden:


 By migrating to SharePoint Online, the firm eliminated the need for costly on-premises hardware and reduced IT maintenance costs. Microsoft 365’s cloud-based infrastructure provided predictable monthly costs, which allowed the firm to reallocate their IT budget to more strategic projects, such as improving client services and investing in new financial tools.

Scalability and Flexibility:


 One of the most significant benefits of moving to Microsoft 365 was the scalability it offered. The firm could easily add new users and expand storage without needing to invest in new hardware. This allowed them to scale their operations quickly as their business grew, all while maintaining a flexible, cloud-based infrastructure. The firm also benefited from access to the latest features and updates without any additional investment in hardware or software upgrades.

Training and ongoing support:


 To ensure a smooth transition, Medha Cloud provided comprehensive training sessions for the firm’s employees, covering the new features of SharePoint Online, Teams, and OneDrive. We also set up dedicated support to address any issues or questions post-migration, ensuring that the firm could fully leverage the capabilities of Microsoft 365.

The results

Improved collaboration across Teams:


 With the move to Microsoft 365, employees were able to collaborate more effectively using SharePoint Online, Teams, and OneDrive. Real-time co-authoring and integrated communication tools like Teams allowed for faster decision-making and more efficient project management. The financial services firm saw immediate improvements in productivity and teamwork.

Stronger security and compliance:


 The firm achieved a much stronger security posture with Microsoft 365’s built-in security tools. They now had better control over document access, ensuring that only authorized personnel could access sensitive financial information. The move to the cloud also meant that Microsoft’s security team handled regular updates and threat management, reducing the internal IT team’s burden and improving overall data protection.

Significant cost savings:


 By moving away from on-premises infrastructure, the firm reduced their IT costs related to hardware maintenance, software updates, and security patching. The cloud-based model provided predictable costs, making it easier to budget and allocate resources. The savings allowed the firm to focus more on growing their core business rather than maintaining outdated systems.

Scalable and future-proof:


 The scalability of Microsoft 365 enabled the firm to quickly onboard new employees and scale their storage needs as the business grew. With access to the latest features and updates, the firm no longer had to worry about falling behind on technology or investing in costly upgrades to keep up with industry demands.

Conclusion

Migrating from SharePoint on-premises to Microsoft 365 provided the financial services firm in Alabama with the collaboration tools, security, and scalability they needed to continue growing their business. Medha Cloud’s tailored migration strategy ensured a seamless transition, allowing the firm to focus on delivering superior financial services to their clients without worrying about IT infrastructure limitations.


 Are you considering migrating from SharePoint on-premises to Microsoft 365? Contact Medha Cloud today to learn how we can help you enhance collaboration, improve security, and reduce IT costs with a seamless migration to the cloud.

Bharath
Bharath
I’m Bharath, a skilled Microsoft 365 and Azure expert, helping small businesses make the most of Microsoft tools. As a Microsoft certified engineer, I have experience migrating organizations to Microsoft solutions and offer guidance on cloud-based solutions to optimize business operations.
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