Project Goals:

The primary goal was to provide IQBG Inc. with a secure, managed, and trusted Microsoft 365 Cloud Productivity Solution to support their business strategy.

This involved assessing and realigning the existing ICT landscape to the Mint MSP Modern Managed Services Secure Cloud Baseline. The desired outcome was to optimize and secure the Cloud Tenant, aligning it with Microsoft best practices, to enable IQBG Inc. to fully leverage their Microsoft Cloud investments.

 

Client/Customer Context

Who Was the Client/Customer?

IQ Business Group Inc. (IQBG Inc.) is a leading firm dedicated to enhancing its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capabilities, with a particular focus on securing and optimizing its Microsoft 365 environment.

Currently undergoing a transformation phase, the company is prioritizing the adoption of modern cloud solutions to drive operational efficiency, improve collaboration, and ensure robust security across its operations. IQBG Inc. is committed to leveraging advanced cloud technologies to streamline workflows, enhance data protection, and integrate innovative solutions that support its evolving business needs. With an emphasis on security and optimization, the firm aims to position itself as a forward-thinking organization capable of meeting the demands of the digital age while fostering a secure and efficient IT infrastructure.

Why Did They Choose Mint’s Solution?

IQBG Inc. chose Mint Group’s solution for our expertise in Microsoft technologies and our comprehensive, modern approach to managed services. We provided a secure and optimized Microsoft 365 and Azure platform, embedded with best practices for cost efficiency and enhanced security. Our ability to assess and realign their existing environment to Microsoft best practices was a key factor in their decision.

 

Project Background & Problem Statement

Context and Situation:

IQBG Inc. approached Mint to address the need for a secure and efficient cloud productivity solution. The company had challenges with license optimization, cost management, and security risks in their existing environment, as revealed through a comprehensive M365 health check. These challenges were creating inefficiencies in their cloud-based operations, prompting the need for a tailored managed services solution.

Problem or Opportunity:

The opportunity was to address these challenges by transitioning to a modern, secure, and cost-optimized cloud environment, fully aligned with Microsoft best practices. This would allow IQBG Inc. to reduce costs, enhance security, and fully utilise their investments in Microsoft technologies.

 

Challenges & Obstacles

Key Challenges:

• License Optimization: Identifying opportunities to optimize licenses and reduce costs was a key challenge.
• Security Risks: The M365 environment had a low security score, particularly concerning data, device, and app security.
• Cloud Alignment: Ensuring the cloud environment was optimally configured and aligned with Microsoft best practices was a complex task.
• Operational Management: The transition to a modern managed services environment required a thorough realignment of ICT services, which posed logistical and resource-related challenges.

 

Solutions & Strategies

Implementation Plan:

Mint Group provided a tailored managed services solution, which included:

• Assessment and Planning: A thorough assessment of IQBG Inc.’s ICT environment, including an end-user assessment, security review, and service management planning.
• Re-alignment and Optimization: The environment was re-aligned to Mint’s Managed Services Baseline, ensuring it was optimized for security, cost efficiency, and performance.
• Deployment and Setup: Microsoft 365 and Azure services were deployed and configured to meet IQBG Inc.’s requirements, and their existing services were rationalized for cloud alignment.
• Operationalization: Service delivery management processes were embedded, ensuring continuous optimization, monitoring, and support.

Technologies or Tools Used:

• Microsoft 365 for cloud productivity and collaboration.
• Microsoft Azure for secure, scalable cloud infrastructure.
• SurveilMint Platform for usage-based analytics, offering insights into license management, security, and productivity improvements.
• Azure Sentinel and Microsoft Defender for advanced security and threat protection.
• ITIL Framework for structured service management and support processes.

 

 

Results & Impact

Quantifiable Results:

• Cost Savings: License optimization led to a reduction in overall cloud costs, freeing up budget for other strategic investments.
• Security Enhancements: The environment’s security score improved, particularly in critical areas like device and app security, reducing vulnerabilities.
• Operational Efficiency: The deployment of a modern cloud services baseline streamlined ICT operations, leading to improved service delivery and reduced operational overhead.

Qualitative Impact:

• Client Satisfaction: IQBG Inc. experienced a noticeable improvement in their ability to leverage Microsoft Cloud technologies effectively. They reported enhanced confidence in the security of their cloud environment and more streamlined operations.
• Business Enablement: IQBG Inc. was better positioned to achieve their broader business objectives, including faster response times and more efficient resource management.

 

Lessons Learned

Insights from the Project:

• Comprehensive Assessment is Crucial: A thorough assessment of the existing ICT environment was vital in uncovering optimization and security opportunities.
• Security Should Be an Ongoing Focus: Continuous monitoring and optimization are key to maintaining a secure cloud environment.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging key stakeholders early in the process ensures smoother adoption and alignment with business goals.

What Would You Do Differently?

• Earlier Adoption of Change Management: Although successful, a more proactive approach to user adoption and change management could have further expedited the transition process.

 

Future Opportunities & Next Steps

Planned Follow-Up:

• Ongoing Optimization: As part of the managed services agreement, continuous monitoring and optimization will take place to ensure the environment remains secure and cost-efficient.
• Future Phases: The next phase of the project involves additional cloud workloads and services to further enhance IQBG Inc.’s digital transformation journey.

Implications for Future Projects:

• Scalable Framework: The methodology and tools used in this project can be applied to other clients looking to optimize and secure their Microsoft 365 and Azure environments.

The collaboration between the Mint team and IQBG Inc. was seamless, with constant communication ensuring that the project remained aligned with business objectives. The Mint team’s expertise in cloud technologies and service delivery management played a crucial role in the project’s success.

 

Client Testimonial

“We’ve gained a much deeper understanding of our cloud environment and have been able to optimize both costs and security. Mint’s expertise in Microsoft technologies was evident in the seamless transition to our new cloud services.” —  IQBG IT Manger.