Strengthening Security & Efficiency: A Microsoft 365 Migration Case Study

Client Overview

Since its establishment in 1956, Pelican State Credit Union has been committed to serving the financial needs of Louisiana residents and their families. Originally founded as the Department of Hospitals Credit Union in downtown Baton Rouge, Pelican State has grown to become Louisiana’s largest state-chartered credit union. Today, it serves over 50,000 members across the nation, continuing to offer innovative products and services while maintaining a strong focus on member loyalty.

Introduction

Pelican State recognized the opportunity to enhance the security and efficiency of their 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 initially used a local Microsoft Exchange server for their email needs but soon recognized the necessity for enhanced security and comprehensive data loss prevention. To address these concerns, they decided to adopt Microsoft 365, taking advantage of its robust security features and compliance tools to protect sensitive member information and enhance operational efficiency.

Solution

To meet the needs of Pelican State, Velosio partnered with the credit union’s skilled technical team to smoothly transition their Microsoft Exchange server to Microsoft 365 in the cloud. Considering their substantial user base of 600, Pelican State chose a hybrid exchange migration strategy, moving users to Azure Active Directory in phased stages. This careful method allowed for extensive testing and ensured optimal data protection for their clients. The joint efforts of Pelican State and Velosio’s cloud engineers facilitated a secure and efficient migration, minimizing any disruption to daily activities.

“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.