Transforming Business Continuity: A Real Estate Business Endeavours for Cloud First Approach

How a real estate company, leveraged Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams to navigate unexpected challenges.

Rapid Adoption and
Seamless Integration

Enhanced Productivity and Collaboration

Future-Ready and
Continuous Transformation

Overview

A prominent UK based real estate company with multi-divisional business, pride itself on being a human-focused business were success hinges on relationships and communication. To stay true to this ethos, the company recognised the need for a comprehensive digital transformation that would enhance mobility, security, and productivity. This case study explores how a real estate company, leveraged Microsoft 365 and, more specifically, Microsoft Teams to not only meet these objectives but also navigate the unexpected challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Challenge

In the early days of cloud computing, the organisation hesitated to embrace the cloud due to the sheer volume of sensitive and personal information they managed. However, as their on-premises infrastructure approached its end-of-life in 2018, they recognised the numerous advantages of adopting a cloud-first approach. Security was a paramount concern, and they saw Microsoft 365 as an attractive solution, offering the familiarity of the Microsoft environment and robust cloud hosting. The challenge was to migrate to the cloud while achieving the seemingly contradictory goals of increased mobility and enhanced security.

Solution

The company embarked on a strategic journey with Microsoft, facilitated by partner, to migrate to Microsoft 365. This phased approach started with the deployment of essential office tools within Microsoft 365 and gradually expanded to encompass Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft Power BI, Windows Virtual Desktops, and Microsoft Azure. This well-thought-out plan aimed to enhance both mobility and security.

However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted these plans. As remote work became the new norm, the company needed to adapt quickly. Microsoft Teams emerged as a critical solution to address this challenge. They expedited the deployment of Microsoft Teams across their organisation, fast-tracking the embedding process that would typically have been executed over a more extended period.

Results

Swift Adoption: The rapid deployment of Microsoft Teams was met with enthusiasm by the company’s workforce. Users quickly embraced the platform, and it seamlessly integrated into their daily work routines. The company reported no significant security concerns, underscoring their trust in Microsoft’s capabilities.
Enhanced Collaboration: Different divisions within the company reaped unique benefits from Microsoft Teams. Back-office admin teams, for example, leveraged the chat functionality extensively. This enabled instantaneous communication, document sharing, and seamless collaboration, replicating the in-office experience.
Improved Decision-Making: Portfolio management teams experienced notable benefits. They conducted meetings with residents and clients remotely, recording sessions for later reference. This improved compliance and enabled more efficient decision-making, eliminating the constraints of physical meetings.
Exponential Productivity: The company witnessed a substantial increase in productivity, accomplishing tasks faster and more efficiently with Microsoft Teams. The platform facilitated the continuity of projects, ensuring business operations continued uninterrupted.
Teams enabled remote meetings, reducing the need for travel and promoting cross-functional collaboration.
The company recognised significant time savings and ongoing migration efforts are expected to deliver additional value in the future.

Conclusion

The company’s journey to a cloud-first organisation, powered by Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams, exemplifies adaptability and resilience in the face of unforeseen challenges.

By embracing modern technology, the company positioned themselves for increased productivity, collaboration, and cost-efficiency in the post-pandemic era. The challenges only accelerated this transformation and highlighted the platform’s indispensable role in ensuring business continuity. Beyond addressing the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic, Microsoft Teams continues to be a central pillar in the company’s operations. It fosters collaboration, streamlines communication, and supports a mobile workforce. The company is committed to harnessing the full potential of Microsoft’s suite of tools and services, paving the way for future growth and innovation. As they continue migrating file systems, optimising mailboxes, and exploring enhanced security features and Power BI reporting dashboards, the company is poised to unlock even greater value from its digital transformation, solidifying their position as a leader in the real estate sector.

Read Our Other Success Stories

A look at what's working