Making the move from Google to Microsoft 365

Deborah Jepson

AspiraCloud delivers a modern and secure teaching and learning environment with enterprise depth to Bath Spa University

AspiraCloud is delighted to be supporting Bath Spa University migrate 48,000 users from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, in order to equip its students and staff with the digital tools needed to thrive in the modern era of learning and working.

Bath Spa University logo

Based in stunning countryside just a few minutes from a World Heritage City, Bath Spa University ensures its students graduate as engaged, global citizens who are ready for the world of work.

The University nurtures talent and innovation, offering a wide range of courses across the arts, sciences, education, social science and business to over 13,000 students, supported by more than 1,100 staff in its strategic aim to be a leading educational institution in creativity, culture and enterprise.

Currently, the University runs its cloud-based collaboration services using Google LLC., providing mailbox and personal data storage to around 48,000 users made up of staff, students and alumni. As part of a plan to allow for greater collaboration and sharing, Bath Spa was looking to bring all users together, under one directory and one Microsoft 365 tenant, to better manage all services both on and off campus.

AspiraCloud will be initially supporting the University with the planning and migration of around 35,000 alumni from Google Workspace onto the same Microsoft 365 tenant to offer a more flexible and integrated service for all users. Once complete, phase 2 will involve the migration of around 1,500 core staff and 12,500 students from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, including distribution lists, calendars, shared mailboxes and other associated data. 

Adrian Edgar, Managing Director at AspiraCloud explains: “With tools like Teams and SharePoint, Microsoft 365 provides a comprehensive suite of applications to create a modern teaching and learning environment for both staff and students. Working closely with the University’s IT Support team, training, consultancy, knowledge transfer and support will be a constant and integral part of this migration project to maximise the investment in this powerful technology.”

AspiraCloud will also be implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) using Conditional Access to maintain the highest level of security for the University’s students, staff, lecturers, alumni and other guests.

As a Microsoft Gold Cloud Platform and Cloud Productivity partner, AspiraCloud is one of the fastest growing providers of IT services supporting the education sector in the UK. With many years of experience of both on-premises and cloud solutions, AspiraCloud is able to offer qualified advice and consultancy on the implementation of cloud migration and online services. 

Already working with a number of schools, Multi Academy Trusts, colleges and universities, including Cheam School, Arts University Bournemouth and York College, AspiraCloud is dedicated to helping education institutions improve the quality of teaching and learning through technology as well as achieve significant cost savings.

Rachael Johnson, CIO at Bath Spa University says: “Working with AspiraCloud on our Microsoft 365 migration has enabled us to capitalise on their expertise in planning and delivering migrations in complex environments. AspiraCloud was able to quickly assimilate and respond to the associated challenges in support of our migration preparations and were with us every step of the way. We are committed to future-proofing the digital skills of both our students and staff and this important investment in our technology is testament to that.”

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