The Challenge

Haines Boatyard relied on an ageing server and traditional domain environment that had become increasingly difficult to support. A failing server drive was causing performance issues and raising concerns around the reliability of the platform, creating unnecessary operational risk and uncertainty around future stability.

The business needed to move away from its dependence on on-premises infrastructure and establish a more secure, manageable, and reliable environment that could support day-to-day operations without the complexity and risks associated with ageing hardware.

Our Approach

Aztec worked closely with Haines Boatyard to plan and deliver a smooth transition away from its ageing on-premises infrastructure and towards a modern cloud-first workplace.

The project focused on removing reliance on the legacy server while ensuring staff could continue working with minimal disruption throughout the migration. Business data was moved into SharePoint and OneDrive, devices were transitioned to Microsoft Entra ID, and essential services such as printing and scanning were reconfigured to operate independently of the existing server environment. Once all services had been successfully migrated, the legacy server was fully decommissioned, removing a significant point of failure within the business's IT estate.

To minimise disruption, the project was delivered through a combination of remote, onsite, and out-of-hours work, allowing critical systems and services to be modernised without impacting day-to-day operations.

Security formed a key part of the transformation. We strengthened multifactor authentication, implemented Conditional Access policies, and enhanced endpoint protection, helping Haines Boatyard establish a more secure, manageable, and well-governed IT environment.

The Outcome

Haines Boatyard now operates on a secure cloud-first platform that provides reliable access to the files, systems, and services its team depends on every day. By removing reliance on ageing server infrastructure, the business has reduced operational risk, simplified IT management, and strengthened its overall security posture.

Staff benefit from a more consistent working experience across their devices, while modern identity, device, and data management provide greater visibility and control across the environment.

Most importantly, Haines Boatyard now has a secure and well-governed IT foundation that supports current operations and provides the flexibility to adapt and grow without the limitations of legacy infrastructure.