Orchard Primary School is a dynamic and inclusive educational institution based in Hounslow, West London. Catering to pupils from Reception through to Year 6, the school is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages academic excellence and personal growth. With a forward-thinking approach, Orchard integrates digital tools into both its teaching and administrative practices.
Orchard Primary School’s on-premise admin server was approaching end-of-life in April, prompting a strategic review of its IT infrastructure. The school aimed to transition from traditional server-based systems to a cloud-first model using Entra ID, Google Workspace, and Wonde MyLogin. Key concerns included identifying all devices requiring migration, assessing the impact on existing systems such as the Platinum finance server, and determining whether it was domain-joined or standalone. The leadership team sought clarity on compatibility, potential risks, and the feasibility of a full migration to modern cloud-based identity and device management solutions, while ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations.
To support Orchard’s transition, we developed a comprehensive migration plan tailored to the school’s requirements. The strategy involved moving away from the legacy on-premise admin server to a cloud-native environment powered by Entra ID and Intune. A full audit of 42 connected devices was conducted to ensure complete coverage and readiness for migration. The Platinum finance server was reviewed and confirmed to operate independently from the domain, allowing it to remain unaffected. We also planned the decommissioning of the school’s legacy O Drive software, replacing it with Google Drive’s native sync functionality to enhance file access and collaboration. Throughout the project, we maintained close communication with the school’s leadership and IT coordinators, ensuring transparency and alignment. The migration was scheduled during a low-activity period to minimise disruption to teaching and administrative functions. Our team provided hands-on support during the transition, ensuring staff were comfortable with the new systems and that all devices were properly enrolled and configured.
The migration was completed smoothly, with all 42 devices successfully enrolled into Intune and integrated with Entra ID. Staff now benefit from centralised identity management, improved security, and streamlined access to resources. The removal of the O Drive and implementation of Google Drive sync has significantly improved file accessibility and collaboration across the school. The Platinum finance server continues to operate independently without any disruption. Orchard Primary School now enjoys a modern, scalable infrastructure that supports its digital ambitions and reduces reliance on ageing hardware. The successful transition has also positioned the school for future cloud-based enhancements and growth.
- Successful migration of 42 devices to Entra ID and Intune
- Decommissioning of legacy admin server ahead of end-of-life
- Seamless integration with Google Drive for file management
- No disruption to Platinum finance server operations
- Improved security and centralised identity management
- Enhanced collaboration and accessibility for staff
- Reduced reliance on legacy infrastructure
