Strengthening Security and Efficiency: A Microsoft 365 Migration Case Study

Client Overview

For over 60 years, Pelican State Credit Union has provided financial services to individuals and their families throughout the state of Louisiana. Since opening its doors in 1956, Pelican State has sought to embody its mission statement each day by providing innovative products and services with a continued, dedicated focus on member loyalty. Pelican was originally chartered as the Department of Hospitals Credit Union, located in downtown Baton Rouge. It has since grown into the largest state-chartered credit union in Louisiana, serving over 50,000 members nationwide.

Introduction

Pelican State recognized the opportunity to enhance their security and efficiency of its email system. This case study examines the challenges faced by PelicanState, the solution implemented by Velosio, and the subsequent benefits derived from migrating their traditional on-premises email servers to Microsoft 365.

Challenge

Pelican State Credit Union relied on an on-premises Microsoft Exchange server for its email system. However, the credit union recognized the benefits of bolstering security measures and ensure comprehensive data loss prevention. They sought to leverage the advanced security and compliance toolsets offered by Microsoft 365 to safeguard sensitive member information and improve operational efficiency.

Solution

To address Pelican State’s requirements, Velosio collaborated with the credit union’s capable technical team to execute a seamless migration of their Microsoft Exchange server to the Microsoft 365 cloud. Given the large user base of 600 users, Pelican State opted for a hybrid exchange migration approach, transitioning users from the on-premises environment to Azure Active Directory in stages. The meticulous approach allowed Pelican State to thoroughly test and ensure the highest level of data protection for their clients. The collaborative effort between Pelican State and Velosio’s cloud engineers ensured a smooth and secure transition, minimizing disruptions to daily operations.

“I was impressed with Pelican State’s meticulous commitment to protecting client data. If I lived in Louisiana, I would definitely use them as my credit union.”

– Brian Buckeye, Cloud Engineer, Velosio

Benefits

1. Robust Security and Compliance: By migrating to Microsoft 365, Pelican State Credit Union gained access to robust security and compliance toolsets. The advanced security features offered by Microsoft 365, such as encryption, threat intelligence, and multi-factor authentication, provide enhanced protection against cyber threats. Additionally, the compliance toolsets assist Pelican State in meeting and exceed regulatory requirements and maintaining data privacy for its members.
2. Cost Control: Hosting Microsoft Exchange in the cloud provides Pelican State with better cost control. The cloud-based subscription model eliminates the need for upfront hardware investments and reduces ongoing maintenance costs. With Microsoft 365, Pelican State can scale its email infrastructure based on actual usage, optimizing resource allocation and minimizing unnecessary expenses.
3. Operational Efficiency: The migration to Microsoft 365 significantly improved PelicanState’s operational efficiency. The cloud-based platform offers seamless integration with other Microsoft productivity tools, allowing for enhanced collaboration and streamlined workflows. Employees can access emails, calendars, and contacts from anywhere, on any device, enabling greater flexibility and productivity.
4. Data Loss Prevention: By transitioning to Microsoft 365, Pelican State mitigates the risk of data loss. The cloud-based solution provides automatic backups and data redundancy, ensuring that critical emails and information are protected against hardware failures or unforeseen incidents. This enhanced data resilience promotes business continuity and provides peace of mind to Pelican State and its members.

Conclusion

The successful migration of Pelican State Credit Union’s on-premises email servers to Microsoft 365 showcases the transformative benefits of embracing a modern cloud-based solution. With the assistance of Velosio and their meticulous approach to data protection, Pelican State gained access to robust security measures, comprehensive compliance toolsets, and improved operational efficiency. By leveraging the advanced features and flexibility of Microsoft 365, Pelican State is well-positioned to continue its mission of providing innovative financial services with unwavering commitment to member loyalty for years to come.