A secure, modern Microsoft 365 environment built to reduce risk, improve resilience, and support flexible day-to-day working.
When a leading Isle of Man tax & accountancy business joined RED5 Systems in May 2026, its IT environment was outdated, vulnerable, and increasingly difficult to rely on.
Around 15 users were working on ageing devices that crashed regularly. Files were spread across two NAS devices, with some also stored locally on individual machines with no backup at all. Backups on the main storage had not run for five months, and the router management page was exposed to the public internet through the business’s public IP address.
For a firm handling sensitive information and working to financial year deadlines, that was not a sustainable position. The setup created security risks, limited flexibility, and left the team without the resilience a modern professional services business needs.
The Challenge
The client’s old setup was creating risk on several fronts.
Security was a major concern. The router management page being accessible from the public internet left the business unnecessarily exposed, while the lack of central identity management meant users relied on local accounts on individual machines. That made access harder to manage consistently and securely.
Resilience was also weak. Backups had not run in months, some files existed only on local devices, and ageing hardware was causing regular disruption. If a machine failed or data was lost, recovery would have been difficult.
The environment also lacked flexibility. With files tied to NAS devices and local desktops, the team had limited ability to work securely from anywhere, and collaboration was harder than it needed to be.
Our solution
RED5 onboarded the client in May 2026 and replaced the old environment with a secure, fully managed setup built around Microsoft 365 and modern endpoint management.
Our first priority was to reduce immediate risk. We restored backups so they could sync successfully for the first time in five months, giving the business an essential layer of protection while the wider migration plan was delivered.
From there, we:
- Migrated files from the NAS devices into SharePoint and OneDrive.
- Enrolled all user devices into Intune for central management.
- Enabled Multi Factor Authentication for all users for the first time.
- Replaced outdated hardware with new machines, monitors, and supporting equipment.
- Retired two NAS devices and replaced old networking gear.
- Installed new networking infrastructure, including a managed firewall and switches.
- Provided a dedicated support helpdesk as part of an ongoing managed service.
We also agreed a payment plan for the new hardware over the course of the contract, helping the client modernise without the pressure of a large upfront cost.
The Onboarding Process
RED5 worked closely with the client to plan the onboarding properly from the start. Together, we agreed a clear migration plan and a suitable go-live date so the change could happen in a controlled way.
To minimise disruption, key work was carried out over evenings and the weekend. We also began supporting the client before they were fully onboarded onto the RED5 platform, helping bridge the gap from their previous IT provider and giving them continuity at a critical point.
On the first day of go-live, RED5 technicians were on site to make sure everything ran smoothly and to reassure users that support was there from the outset.
The Outcome
The business now has a secure, professionally managed environment that is far better suited to the needs of a modern tax & accountancy firm.
All users now work on new devices, files are held within Microsoft 365, and Multi Factor Authentication is in place across the business. The old NAS-based setup has been retired, backups are working, and the business now benefits from central device management, stronger security controls, and a dedicated support helpdesk.
There is also a clear day-to-day benefit. With cloud storage and Intune-managed devices in place, the team can work securely from anywhere. SharePoint has made collaboration easier, and the move away from unstable old hardware has reduced crashes and disruption.
Just as importantly, the client has said they value RED5’s responsiveness and our willingness to listen and act on the information they provided throughout the process. For a business handling sensitive information and working to important deadlines, that confidence matters.
