The requirement
Deliver a reliable path to Windows 10 while managing a complex estate of applications, operational processes and group policies.
Case Study • Higher Education
Windows upgrade and endpoint modernisation for the University of Suffolk
Altiatech helped the University of Suffolk establish a viable, streamlined Windows 10 upgrade path across the Ipswich Waterfront campus, addressing endpoint management, identity and group policy complexity before migration.
Overview
A campus-wide upgrade that needed more than a standard operating system rollout.
The University of Suffolk supports thousands of students and hundreds of staff across its central Ipswich campus and partner network. The University needed to upgrade 1,200 desktop PCs at the Ipswich Waterfront campus from Windows 7 to Windows 10.
The priority
Reduce migration risk by addressing underlying endpoint, identity and Active Directory Group Policy issues before the upgrade.
The delivery model
Use structured scoping, phased delivery and documented sign-off so each stage could be verified with confidence.
The Challenge
Technical complexity was preventing a simple, cost-effective upgrade.
A detailed review showed that the Windows migration was affected by broader operational and architectural issues that had developed over time.
Endpoint estate
Desktop operating systems and software needed clearer management.
The University needed to manage the endpoint estate effectively before the Windows 10 deployment could move forward with confidence.
Identity management
Identity systems were part of the upgrade dependency chain.
Enterprise identity management needed to be considered alongside endpoint delivery so the future environment could operate reliably.
Group Policy
Active Directory Group Policy was adding disproportionate complexity.
Group Policy had a significant impact on the wider environment, affecting service delivery and the ability to streamline the migration.
Altiatech’s Role
A preferred partner for roadmap, remediation and controlled delivery.
Altiatech was selected to help the University create a technical roadmap and establish a viable upgrade path across a complex, multi-vendor environment.
Holistic technical scoping
Altiatech reviewed the interlinked technical issues behind the migration, helping the University understand where complexity needed to be reduced before upgrade activity progressed.
Rearchitecture where required
Because endpoint management, identity and Group Policy were closely connected, areas of the environment were addressed, rearchitected or reimplemented before the move to Windows 10.
Phased delivery and documentation
The project was broken into clear deliverables, allowing the University to verify each phase, document improvements and maintain confidence throughout delivery.
The Approach
An iterative approach that dealt with the foundations before the migration.
Altiatech used a flexible and fast-paced delivery approach, with each phase shaped around the University’s technical dependencies and operational needs.
Understand the current estate
Review applications, operating systems, policies and infrastructure dependencies to identify what could block a smooth Windows 10 deployment.
Address the root causes
Focus on endpoint management, identity management and Active Directory Group Policy before committing to wider migration activity.
Break delivery into sign-off stages
Structure deliverables so the University could validate progress, reduce uncertainty and see benefits as each phase was completed.
Measure improvements as work progressed
Document performance improvements and use each completed phase to build confidence in the larger Windows 10 upgrade goal.
Outcomes
A proven, tested infrastructure and a clearer migration path.
The project helped the University improve operational confidence, reduce migration risk and create a more cost-effective route to Windows 10.
Enhanced end-user experience
Improvements were delivered across the desktop environment to support a better user experience for staff and students.
Increased productivity
The upgraded operating model supported improved employee productivity and smoother day-to-day technology use.
Reduced logon times
Performance improvements were measured and documented as phases were completed.
Streamlined upgrade path
The University gained a proven technical infrastructure for delivering a successful Windows 10 experience.
“Altiatech have been instrumental with helping the University of Suffolk overcome its IT challenges. Their attention to detail and documentation practice has helped our own team fully understand each phase.”
John Herd, Head of IT Services, University of Suffolk
Connected Services
Relevant Altiatech services for similar endpoint and workplace programmes.
This case study connects closely to end-user productivity, managed services, secure identity and wider technology modernisation work.
End User & Productivity
Support Microsoft 365, devices, collaboration, secure working and productivity across the workplace estate.
Managed Services
Run and improve IT services with clearer ownership, reporting and continual improvement.
Secure Identity
Strengthen identity governance for employees, suppliers, administrators and service workflows.
Services Overview
Explore the connected Altiatech service model and how support can be scoped around your priorities.
Next step
Planning an endpoint, workplace or platform modernisation project?
Speak to Altiatech about scoping the technical foundations, dependencies and delivery model before change begins.