Enterprises, especially insurance companies, often get caught between their expected business growth and their existing platform which cannot handle the dynamic business environment. Keeping this in mind, companies increasingly realize the need to adapt to the new technology systems to keep in track with the rapid commercial expansion.
Media Systems successfully helped an international insurance company upgrade MOSS 2007 to SharePoint 2010 Online while retaining the 2007 features. The changeover resulted in considerable savings in operational cost as well as a significant increase in service levels and consequently better customer satisfaction.
About The Client
Media's client is a leading Fortune 500 Insurance company. Its services include insurance and reinsurance brokerage services, insurance products, risk and insurance advice, web-based risk management information systems etc. Ranked as the largest reinsurance broker based on revenue the company operates in consumer insurance underwriting, commercial brokerage and consulting services.
Backed by experienced resources, industry knowledge and technical expertise, the company professionals help a wide range of
clients to develop effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions.
With an employee base of 59,000 people working in over 500 offices in more than 120 countries, Media Systems' client has become the leading global provider of risk management and human resource consulting and outsourcing.
Business Need
The company was looking to upgrade its 2007 Microsoft SharePoint Online farm to 2010 Online Farm but wanted to retain the same look and feel of the existing website, while retaining the 2007 online farm features.
The first web application which is the 2007 Microsoft SharePoint Online farm must KE portals, applications, and all other features that come under managing a SharePoint environment online.
There must also be an incremental deployment of SharePoint Dedicated Online Services based upon features enabled and service offerings provided by the clients IT Department.
All the sites of the client for SharePoint 2010 were required to reflect the customized branding by utilizing a custom
master and theme, create new template options, and custom user groups and permissions for all Collaboration Sites under the self service model.
There must also be an incremental deployment of SharePoint Dedicated Online Services based upon features enabled and service offerings provided by the clients IT Department.
All the sites of the client for SharePoint 2010 were required to reflect the customized branding by utilizing a custom master and theme, create new template options, and custom user groups and permissions for all Collaboration Sites under the self service model.
Challenges
- A Solution that strictly follows SharePoint Online Dedicated Custom Solution Policies and MSOCAF policies.
- Migrating from MOSS 2007 to 2010 Online Farm which is a complex process.
- Branding.
- Tight deadline and continuous changes to MSOCAF policies.
Our Solution
Media Systems helped the client to migrate from the current application to the 2010 version. To tackle a complex migration with minimal risk our consultants adopted a 5-stage migration procedure.
Evaluation phase
In the initial phase the team made a comparative study between the MOSS 2007 and the 2010 Online Farm and recognized the advanced features in 2010.
Migration phase
Media's consultants created a SharePoint 2010 Online Farm compatible theme and used it on the MOSS 2007 Online version.
Creation phase
Media's consultants created a SharePoint 2010 Online Farm compatible theme and used it on the MOSS 2007 Online version.
Scripted Deployment
Media's consultants created a SharePoint 2010 Online Farm compatible theme and used it on the MOSS 2007 Online version.
Retraction and Removal
We created an automated Solution package which enabled an auto deployment facility which is an uninstall solution and would roll back to the default master page and OOTB team site.
Technology Used
.Net 3.5, SharePoint (MOSS 2007), MSOCAF, SQL Server, Power Shell
Benefits
With Media's help, client was able to smoothly migrate from
SharePoint 2007 to SharePoint 2010 with minimal impact to the user community in terms of retraining but at the same time benefiting from SharePoint 2010 capabilities. A part from attaining cost efficiency and better customer satisfaction levels, the migration helps them improve the business agility and scalability.