The Challenge
Precision Engineering Ltd, a precision engineering manufacturer based in Birmingham City Centre, was facing several critical IT challenges that were impacting their business operations:
- Aging Infrastructure: Their on-premises servers and network equipment were approaching end-of-life, requiring a significant capital investment to replace.
- System Downtime: They were experiencing frequent system outages, resulting in production delays and lost revenue. Their system uptime was only 96%, well below industry standards.
- Limited IT Resources: With only one in-house IT staff member, they struggled to manage their complex IT environment and respond quickly to technical issues.
- Scalability Concerns: As the business grew, their IT infrastructure couldn't scale efficiently to meet increasing demands.
- Security Vulnerabilities: Their aging systems had security gaps that put their intellectual property and business data at risk.
The company's leadership recognized that these IT challenges were holding back their growth and operational efficiency. They needed a modern, reliable, and secure IT solution that would reduce costs while improving performance.
The Solution
After a thorough assessment of Precision Engineering Ltd's IT environment and business requirements, E-Consulting developed a comprehensive cloud migration strategy:
1. Cloud Infrastructure Migration
We designed and implemented a Microsoft Azure cloud environment tailored to their specific manufacturing operations. This included:
- Migration of on-premises servers to Azure Virtual Machines
- Implementation of Azure Site Recovery for business continuity
- Deployment of Azure Backup for comprehensive data protection
- Configuration of Azure Security Center for enhanced security monitoring
2. Microsoft 365 Implementation
To improve collaboration and productivity, we deployed Microsoft 365 across the organization:
- Migration from legacy email systems to Exchange Online
- Implementation of SharePoint Online for document management
- Deployment of Microsoft Teams for internal communication
- Configuration of OneDrive for Business for secure file storage
3. Managed IT Support
To ensure ongoing system reliability and security, we provided:
- 24/7 proactive monitoring and management of their IT environment
- Regular security updates and patch management
- Help desk support for all employees
- Quarterly technology reviews and strategic planning
4. Security Enhancements
To protect their valuable intellectual property and business data, we implemented:
- Multi-factor authentication for all user accounts
- Advanced threat protection for email and endpoints
- Conditional access policies to control data access
- Security awareness training for all employees
The Implementation Process
The migration project was executed in phases to minimize disruption to Precision Engineering Ltd's manufacturing operations:
Phase 1: Assessment and Planning (2 weeks)
We conducted a comprehensive assessment of their existing IT infrastructure, identified dependencies, and developed a detailed migration plan. This included application compatibility testing and establishing performance baselines.
Phase 2: Cloud Infrastructure Setup (3 weeks)
We set up the Azure environment, including networking, security, and identity management. We also established connectivity between their on-premises network and Azure.
Phase 3: Data Migration (4 weeks)
We migrated their data and applications to Azure in stages, starting with non-critical systems and gradually moving to core business applications. Each migration was followed by thorough testing.
Phase 4: Microsoft 365 Deployment (3 weeks)
We deployed Microsoft 365 services across the organization, migrated email and documents, and provided user training to ensure smooth adoption.
Phase 5: Optimization and Handover (2 weeks)
We fine-tuned the cloud environment for optimal performance, documented the new infrastructure, and transitioned to ongoing managed support.
The Results
The cloud migration project delivered significant benefits to Precision Engineering Ltd:
Cost Reduction
By eliminating the need for capital investment in new hardware and reducing ongoing maintenance costs, Precision Engineering Ltd achieved a 40% reduction in overall IT costs. The shift from capital expenditure to operational expenditure also improved their cash flow.
Improved Reliability
System uptime increased from 96% to 99.9%, virtually eliminating production delays due to IT issues. This improvement alone resulted in significant productivity gains for the manufacturing team.
Enhanced Support
With our managed IT support services, the average time to resolve IT issues decreased by 73%. Employees now have access to 24/7 support, ensuring that technical problems are addressed promptly.
Better Collaboration
Microsoft Teams and SharePoint Online have transformed how teams collaborate, particularly between the office and shop floor. Design changes, production schedules, and quality control information are now shared in real-time.
Strengthened Security
The implementation of multi-factor authentication, advanced threat protection, and regular security updates has significantly enhanced their security posture, protecting their valuable intellectual property.
Scalability
The cloud environment can easily scale to accommodate business growth, allowing Precision Engineering Ltd to add new users, applications, and resources without significant additional investment.
Conclusion
The successful cloud migration project has transformed Precision Engineering Ltd's IT infrastructure from a business constraint to a strategic asset. By leveraging Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365, they now have a modern, secure, and scalable IT environment that supports their business goals while reducing costs.
The ongoing managed IT support ensures that their systems remain reliable and secure, allowing their team to focus on their core manufacturing business rather than IT issues.
This case study demonstrates how Birmingham businesses can leverage cloud technology to overcome IT challenges, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency.
