Global recruitment firm dramatically reduces downtime and increases security thanks to switch to cloud-based infrastructure

A global executive recruitment company looking to tap into the cost efficiencies provided by a switch to cloud-based infrastructure.

The Challenge

Users were based in Singapore, China, New York, and London, and were connected to locally hosted servers rather than a centralised network. The client recognised the drawbacks of the outdated system, and wanted to migrate to a much more modern, secure and cost-effective cloud-based platform.

However, the company’s global office spread posed challenges. Not only was there poor internet connection in the Shanghai office, but the country’s ‘Great Firewall’ meant that workarounds needed to be found in order for certain applications to work correctly.

The Solution

The project began with migrating data off locally hosted servers and moving to the cloud (SharePoint and Teams). We then unbound 20-30 PCs from the old network and moved them to a cloud-based Microsoft Azure platform. All the data and resources were moved to users’ new profiles. To ensure a seamless transition, we also educated staff on how to use the new systems effectively and produced a handbook to cover any questions they may have had.

In all locations, we tapped into local knowledge and partners to help us wipe old servers and support with e-waste management (a certificate of data destruction was provided to the client). All unused and broken machines were remotely wiped, reinstalled, and donated to charity. In China, it was this local expertise that was crucial to finding workarounds to issues with the Great Firewall.

The outcome

The switchover was made without any downtime or loss of data. For the client, the move to a cloud-based system has significantly reduced server maintenance costs, downtime has been cut, and security improved. The company is now futureproofed, agile, and ahead of the competition.