This cloud migration case study shows how Baxter Transport moved from an unsupported server to Microsoft 365 and cloud file sync.
At a glance
- Client: Baxter Transport (Kelvin Baxter Transport), a bulk agricultural freight operator based in Berrigan, New South Wales.
- Service: Microsoft 365, cloud file sync, cloud business continuity and a fixed-price IT Care support plan.
- Headline result: A saving of 33.4% per month.
The client
Baxter Transport specialises in bulk agricultural commodity freight along Australia’s east coast. It serves major grain traders in both export and domestic markets, moving commodities such as potatoes, grapes, almonds, cotton seed and bales, as well as mill by-products, with a fleet of bulk tippers.
The goals
- Reduce ongoing IT costs.
- Access company data from anywhere.
- Improve file sharing across team members, clients and prospects.
The challenge
After the first stabilise phase of our 360 IT Care plan, six main challenges stood out. Staff needed to reach data and email from anywhere at any time. Everyone needed to see the same up-to-date information so opportunities were not missed. Downtime was not an option, so data security and disaster recovery mattered. The business was still running Microsoft Small Business Server, which Microsoft no longer supported, and it needed an upgrade path without spending thousands on new hardware and licences. Support costs were also a major expense. On top of this, the previous provider owned all of the company’s hardware and could not support a move to the cloud.
The solution
- Microsoft 365 and cloud file sync. Email and data moved to the cloud so every employee could work on the latest information on any device, from anywhere.
- Cloud business continuity. A cloud continuity solution that can bring systems back in minutes, not days.
- Retiring the old server. Moving email to Microsoft 365 and data to cloud file sync allowed the unsupported Small Business Server to be decommissioned.
- Predictable support costs. A fixed-price monthly IT Care agreement streamlined support and made budgeting simple.
The results
- Lower costs. Baxter Transport saved 33.4% per month.
- Access from anywhere. The team can work on the same data, at the same time, on any device, from anywhere in the country.
- Better collaboration. Staff, clients and prospects can work together on company data in real time without security risks or conflicts.
Why it worked
By replacing an ageing server with cloud services and a fixed-price support plan, Baxter Transport cut costs, improved resilience and gave its people the flexibility that a mobile, freight-based business needs.
Key takeaways
- Baxter Transport moved from an unsupported Microsoft Small Business Server to Microsoft 365 and cloud file sync.
- The fixed-price IT Care plan saved 33.4% per month.
- The change gave staff the flexibility a mobile, freight-based business needs.
Cloud migration case study: frequently asked questions
What did Baxter Transport want from the project?
To reduce ongoing IT costs, access company data from anywhere, and improve file sharing across team members, clients and prospects.
What challenges did the business face?
Staff needed to reach data and email from anywhere, everyone needed the same up-to-date information, and downtime was not an option. The business was running Microsoft Small Business Server, which Microsoft no longer supported, and needed an upgrade path without spending thousands on new hardware and licences. Support costs were high, and the previous provider owned the hardware.
What was the result?
A saving of 33.4% per month, under a fixed-price IT Care support plan that combined Microsoft 365, cloud file sync and cloud business continuity.
Related reading: Cloud migration for business and Managed IT services.
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