A Consistent Computing Experience

When you don’t have an IT department, it pays to keep IT experts handy. Just ask Philippa Ivory, NZRL’s GM Marketing and Communications. She’s the driving force behind the organisation’s shift to the cloud. But without in-house technicians to deliver the programme of work, Ivory depends on NZRL sponsor and long-time IT partner CCL to cover all the bases.

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IT services is familiar territory to NZRL, who for years has used CCL’s IaaS platform to deliver underlying systems and software to a small and often roving team of 25 workers split between the organisation’s Auckland headquarters and remote locations.

And while NZRL continues to draw on a number of VMs, backup, network support services from CCL’s IaaS platform, the organisation set its sights on a hybrid cloud approach integrating both local cloud infrastructure and Microsoft Office 365.  

From Ivory’s perspective, her needs were quite simple: a consistent computing experience everywhere NZRL people worked. “New laptops must look like everyone else’s from the get-go,” said Ivory. “We’re often on the move and a number of us work remotely. But we want our desktops to look the same everywhere we work.”

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“Everything comes back to service. Office 365 is the same for everyone, but it’s the service provided by experts behind the scenes that defines your overall experience.”

- Philippa Ivory, GM Marketing and Communications, New Zealand Rugby League.

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Sizing up Office 365

Office 365 was an obvious choice, delivering all the familiar Office apps and communications from Microsoft’s cloud.

CCL kicked off the project, jointly designing a solution with NZRL, and managing the transition, which at the early stages replaced a customised email service with Microsoft Exchange online email, calendar, and contacts.

NZRL user accounts are synchronised with Microsoft Azure, providing single log-in access to other services in Office 365, including OneDrive for Business and Skype for Business Online. As NZRL lines up additional services, Azure-based Microsoft Intune software gives them the tools to remotely manage the progressive rollout of new software and services to user desktops.

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Peak performance

CCL’s cloud services team ensures NZRL’s Microsoft cloud stays performing at its peak. Combining technical experts with automation and monitoring technologies to navigate platforms in public clouds, the CCL team takes care of all the technicalities.

Key functions cover migration, managing NZRL’s new Office 365/Azure tenant, solution infrastructure for Exchange Online and Skype for Business Online, 24×7 support via web, training, capacity planning and resource optimisation, and consolidated billing.

“Everything comes back to service. Office 365 is the same for everyone, but it’s the service provided by experts behind the scenes that defines your overall experience.” said Ivory. “CCL is always there when you need them.”

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Key benefits

NZRL is primed for true workplace mobility. With everything running in the cloud they present a consistent desktop experience to their workers everywhere they work. And with CCL’s team of experts orchestrating all the moving parts, NZRL’s workplace technology doesn’t miss a beat.

Best of both worlds: NZRL draws critical infrastructure services from a local cloud and workplace apps and communications services from Microsoft’s public cloud. CCL takes care of the lot.

Many apps; one cloud: Office 365 delivers all the Office applications and communications services NZRL needs from a single cloud.

Consistent user experience: Everyone in NZRL receives the same desktop experience – no matter where and how they work.

Experts at the wheel: CCL’s cloud services team keeps watch over everything, so Office 365 services are always there when they’re needed.

Transparency: Monthly reports show unit and licensing costs, and consumption.