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.
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 By joining devices to Entra ID, we eliminated reliance on outdated server infrastructure, reducing costs significantly.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.
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.
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.
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.
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