Legacy infrastructure can quietly limit your team’s efficiency, collaboration, and scalability. That was the case for Imagine Broadband, who approached us with a clear goal:
✅ Simplify their IT environment
✅ Move fully to the cloud
✅ Enable secure, hybrid working
We helped them replace AWS file shares and on-prem Active Directory with Microsoft SharePoint and Azure Active Directory Services (AADS) — unlocking better productivity, security, and long-term IT savings.
Here’s how we made it happen.
⚙️ The Starting Point: Siloed Infrastructure and Mixed Tools
Imagine Broadband was operating a hybrid mix of:
- File sharing hosted in AWS EC2/FSx
- A traditional Local Active Directory (AD) for user authentication
- Limited cloud collaboration
- Manual provisioning and support processes
As the team grew and hybrid work became the norm, it was clear the existing setup wasn’t scalable or secure enough. Licensing costs and support complexity were rising.
🧭 The Solution: Full Microsoft 365 + Azure AD Modernisation
We designed a cloud-first architecture that replaced siloed legacy systems with a modern Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including:
🔄 AWS to SharePoint Online
- Migrated department file shares and internal docs to SharePoint
- Enabled structured permissions with version control
- Integrated OneDrive for Business for user-specific storage
🔐 Local AD to Azure Active Directory (AADS)
- Synced user identities via Azure AD Connect, then fully transitioned
- Enabled seamless access to Microsoft 365 apps with Single Sign-On
- Applied Conditional Access Policies and MFA for hybrid work security
🧰 Additional Improvements
- Rolled out Microsoft Intune for device and compliance management
- Automated onboarding/offboarding using Azure AD + templates
- Applied backup and retention policies across SharePoint & Exchange
📈 The Results
The shift to Microsoft 365 and Azure AD brought immediate benefits:
| Outcome | Impact |
|---|---|
| 🌐 Cloud-Based Collaboration | Users accessed files securely from anywhere |
| 🔐 Unified Identity Management | Easier logins, fewer password issues |
| 💸 Lower Operational Costs | No more AWS or server maintenance |
| ⚙️ Easier User Management | Faster provisioning, better role-based access |
| ✅ Compliance & Backup | Data secured with Microsoft retention & DLP |
🧠 Lessons for Other Irish SMEs
Imagine Broadband’s journey is a great example of cloud enablement done right.
Many SMEs still operate with:
- On-prem AD servers requiring manual maintenance
- File servers on AWS, local NAS, or external drives
- Disconnected collaboration tools
- No mobile access or backup strategy
But by consolidating into Microsoft 365 and Azure AD:
- Teams collaborate more efficiently
- IT overhead is reduced
- Security improves dramatically
- Future growth is easier to manage
👨💻 Technologies Used
- Microsoft SharePoint Online (File management & intranet)
- Azure Active Directory (Cloud identity & access)
- Microsoft OneDrive (User storage)
- Microsoft Intune (Device management)
- Azure AD Conditional Access & MFA
- BitTitan & ShareGate (for migration tools)
📞 Ready to Migrate from Legacy IT?
We help Irish businesses upgrade:
- Local AD → Azure AD
- File servers or AWS → SharePoint & OneDrive
- Legacy workflows → Modern, cloud-native tools
Whether you’re a tech company like Imagine Broadband or a growing SME, we make IT modernisation smooth, secure, and scalable.
🎯 Book a Free IT Modernisation Assessment
Let’s review your infrastructure and show you how a move to Azure AD and Microsoft 365 can:
- Cut costs
- Improve staff productivity
- Boost cybersecurity
🔍 Final Thoughts
Your IT shouldn’t hold you back — it should move with you.
Just like Imagine Broadband, your team can benefit from:
- Centralised cloud access
- Stronger identity and device control
- A simpler, more cost-effective setup
The first step is knowing what you already use — and what you’re missing.