A Year Supporting Braunton Academy

A Year in Review: Transforming IT at Braunton Academy



A little over a year ago, INTEGY was selected to transform the IT infrastructure at Braunton Academy, delivering state-of-the-art technology to both staff and students. Co-founder Ryan Jewell took this project to heart, recalling his school rugby rivalries with Braunton in the '90s while attending Pilton. Now, with those memories in the rearview, the focus was on ensuring Braunton's transition from Google Apps to a Microsoft-first environment.


Embracing Microsoft 365 A5 Licensing

Our team at INTEGY worked closely with Braunton Academy to bring their vision to life. We began by implementing Microsoft 365 A5 licensing, laying the groundwork for a seamless and secure IT experience. Using Microsoft Intune, we standardised device management, ensuring consistency and enhanced security with Microsoft Defender. By joining devices to Entra ID, we eliminated reliance on outdated server infrastructure, reducing costs significantly. This shift also resulted in a substantial saving, as the Academy no longer needed to purchase separate anti-virus solutions.


Given the budget constraints common in educational settings, we recommended a pragmatic approach to device upgrades. All laptops purchased within the last two years were upgraded to Windows 11, while older equipment remained on Windows 10. We planned to revisit this setup during the second year of our contract, ensuring a steady evolution of technology across the campus.


Simplifying Software Deployment and Data Migration

With the new infrastructure in place, we focused on centralising software deployment. By packaging all applications for easy deployment, devices could be updated and maintained regardless of their location. This level of flexibility is crucial for modern educational environments, supporting remote learning and ensuring smooth operations.


One of the major tasks during this transition was migrating data from Google to Microsoft platforms. We moved personal Google Drives to OneDrive, shared Google Drives to SharePoint and Teams, and GMail content to Exchange Online. To protect against data loss, we enrolled all migrated content into our Cloud Backup solution.


Modernising Communications with Teams Voice

Braunton Academy's aging telephony system was also in need of an upgrade. By leveraging Microsoft Teams Voice, we transitioned from a traditional PBS telephony solution to a modern, feature-rich communication system. This shift not only improved communication across the Academy but also fully utilised the capabilities of Microsoft A5 licensing.


Looking Ahead: Building on Strong Foundations

As we close out the first year of our partnership with Braunton Academy, we're excited about the future. This summer, we're rolling out Windows 11 across the campus, alongside a new switching and wireless infrastructure. With these strong foundations, we're poised to continue delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that empower both educators and students.


INTEGY is proud of the progress we've made with Braunton Academy, and we're looking forward to another year of innovation, growth, and collaboration. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this exciting journey.


Call us today on 01392 796525 or Email us at ask@integy.co.uk

December 16, 2024
At INTEGY, we’re passionate about enabling organisations to embrace the future of work, especially when innovation and agility are at the heart of their mission. Recently, we had the privilege of supporting a client whose business serves as a launchpad for startups, providing the technology and equipment needed to kickstart their journey.  The Challenge: Outdated IT for a Growing Organisation Our client’s IT infrastructure was a traditional setup, with user accounts and devices tightly bound to Active Directory. This configuration required devices to maintain network connectivity to on-premises servers, creating operational limitations. With the facility expanding to three separate locations, this approach no longer supported their need for flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. Startups thrive on speed and adaptability, and their IT systems needed to reflect those principles. The reliance on traditional IT was slowing them down, creating unnecessary overhead, and limiting their ability to provide the seamless experience their customers expected. The Solution: A Cloud-Native Transformation We transformed their IT environment into a modern, cloud-native setup: Entra ID for Identity Management Every device is now joined to Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), shifting identity management to the cloud. This eliminates the need for on-premises servers, offering secure access from anywhere. Intune for Device Management Devices are now managed through Microsoft Intune, enabling streamlined policy enforcement, application deployment, and security updates, all delivered from the cloud. Enhanced Security with Zero Trust Principles We implemented a Zero Trust security model, ensuring that devices and users are authenticated and compliant before accessing resources. Defender for Endpoint provides enhanced threat protection and visibility across their environment. Simplified User Experience By decoupling devices from on-premises dependencies, we empowered their users to work from any location with a secure, seamless experience. Scalability and Agility With their new cloud-native IT framework, our client is no longer constrained by physical infrastructure. They can now scale operations effortlessly as they open new locations and onboard new startups. The Results: Flexibility, Efficiency, and Growth The move to a cloud-native configuration has been a game-changer for our client. They’ve gained: Operational Efficiency : IT management is simpler and faster, reducing administrative overhead. Improved User Experience : Users now enjoy consistent and reliable access to systems, regardless of location. Scalability : Expansion to new sites no longer requires complex IT overhauls. Security : Advanced cloud security tools ensure their data and devices remain protected. By embracing modern IT, our client is better positioned to serve their customers and focus on what matters most: empowering innovation for startups. Helping You Move Forward If your organisation is grappling with the limitations of traditional IT and looking to make the leap to a cloud-native future, we’re here to help. Let’s transform your IT and unlock your potential.
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