Posted 16/10/2024
A global financial information and analytics powerhouse, providing vital business intelligence solutions to some of the world’s largest industries and markets.
Headquartered in Manhattan, their operations span across the USA, Europe, and APAC.
In 2020, the company acquired another large international analytics firm in a world record-breaking $44 billion deal. Finalised in February 2022, this merger created a market-leading information services provider, but it also presented a complex IT challenge.
The newly-combined businesses operated on separate Microsoft 365 tenants, hindering collaboration and efficiency. A seamless migration to a unified Microsoft 365 tenant was imperative to support the merged organisations’ goals. However, the sheer scale of the migration, involving over 40,000 users and vast amounts of data, made it a highly complex and daunting task.
The merger of two large organisations with distinct IT environments posed significant technical challenges.
Migrating over 700 terabytes of data across multiple Microsoft 365 workloads required careful planning and execution.
Ensuring the protection of sensitive data and adherence to regulatory requirements was a top priority for this project. Minimising disruption to users and business operations was essential for a successful migration.
Extensive testing and validation were essential to ensure a smooth transition and mitigate risks.
Recognising the need for a strategic partner with proven expertise in Microsoft migrations, the company partnered with PowerSyncPro to lead this high-complexity migration project.
To address these complexities, the PowerSyncPro team embarked on a collaborative planning phase. In-depth discussions with the client’s teams helped identify potential roadblocks and develop a customised migration strategy. Multiple proof-of-concept exercises were conducted to refine the approach and mitigate risks.
The challenge was clear: how to migrate a large-scale business without interrupting critical functions. The solution? A series of four cutover events spaced two weeks apart, allowing for continuous access to applications. This approach balanced the need for speed with the complexity of the migration.
Each cutover event required meticulous planning, coordination across global teams, and careful negotiation of timelines. The stakes were high: given the critical nature of the migration, the client needed a reliable and flexible tailored solution for large-scale migrations.
The massive scale of this migration, involving over 700 terabytes of data and spanning multiple Microsoft 365 workloads, demanded a sophisticated solution. The complexity was such that it necessitated a collaborative effort between PowerSyncPro DirSync and PowerSyncPro Migration Agent.
“Choosing to deliver the project in four cutover events after months of discovery and planning was intense – but it was the right choice for us. I still can’t believe we pulled it off! Impressive.“
Vice President, Global Head of Digital Workplace
At the heart of any successful migration lies a robust identity management system. PowerSyncPro DirSync played a pivotal role in preparing the groundwork for a successful large-scale migration.
It meticulously synchronised identities across the two environments, ensuring a seamless transition for users.
By managing changes to scope, joiners, and leavers, DirSync maintained a consistent and accurate representation of user identities. This foundational work was essential for the subsequent migration of workstations.
By providing real-time data on each device, DirSync empowered the team to make informed decisions and anticipate potential roadblocks.
Once the identity foundation was in place, the focus shifted to migrating workstations. The seamless migration of nearly 15,000 Windows workstations was a significant undertaking.
Operating remotely, the PowerSyncPro Migration Agent streamlined the process of transferring device join states between tenants. With a user-friendly dashboard, administrators had complete visibility into the migration progress. The ability to complete workstation migrations in under ten minutes was a testament to the tool’s efficiency.
Together, PowerSyncPro DirSync and PowerSyncPro Migration Agent formed a powerful duo, ensuring a successful and efficient migration of the complex Microsoft 365 environment.
The migration, once a daunting prospect, was completed smoothly and efficiently. Working in tandem, PSP Migration Agent and PSP DirSync played a pivotal role in reducing downtime, minimising disruptions, and safeguarding sensitive data.
Our tools’ automation capabilities reduced manual effort, saving time and resources. Users experienced minimal disruption, ensuring business continuity throughout the process.
Users experienced a seamless transition, with minimal impact on their daily work. The unified Microsoft 365 environment fostered a strong foundation for enhanced collaboration and productivity across the merged organisation.
“They really understood the challenges and pains involved in a project of this complexity and scale. We were able to trust them implicitly – something that’s vital when security and compliance are paramount – and communication was fluid with no misunderstandings.“
Vice President, Global Head of Digital Workplace
PowerSyncPro DirSync and PowerSyncPro Migration Agent are powerful tools specifically designed to simplify complex Microsoft 365 migrations.
PowerSyncPro DirSync ensures a smooth transition between tenants by accurately synchronising user identities across environments. It manages changes, scope, and attributes, providing administrators with real-time data to make informed decisions.
DirSync leverages the same core concepts as Microsoft Identity Manager but offers a more intuitive and efficient user experience. This foundational tool is essential for any successful migration project.
PowerSyncPro Migration Agent automates the process of migrating workstations, reducing manual effort and minimising disruption.
Its user-friendly interface and remote capabilities empower administrators to efficiently manage the migration of thousands of devices. The tool’s ability to preserve user settings and configurations is unrivalled, ensuring a smooth ride for end users.
