Cloud Migration
The History Trust of South Australia
This project encompassed the transition of its on-premises ICT infrastructure and services via a cloud migration to AWS (Amazon Web Services) and Azure.
The Project
The History Trust of South Australia is a statutory authority responsible for preserving and promoting the state’s history and memory collections. Reporting to Parliament, the Board of Trustees is accountable to the Minister for Education.
The History Trust manages three museums, the South Australian Maritime Museum, National Motor Museum and the Migration Museum as well as the Centre of Democracy. It produces exhibitions and statewide education programs, and two significant annual events - South Australia's History Festival and the Bay to Birdwood. The History Trust plays an essential role in enriching the lives of current and future generations of South Australians.
Beyond its museums, events and education remit, the History Trust delivers and promotes programs that assist more than 300 community museums and historical societies in every part of the state and provides policy advice to the Minister for Education.
To continue its mission effectively, the History Trust needed to transition its outdated on-premises ICT infrastructure and services to a modern, secure, and scalable cloud environment.
Additionally, the History Trust required support services to enhance its onsite IT capabilities.
This migration enables the History Trust to deliver greater impact through its museums, events and programs for more South Australians by enhancing technical capabilities and ensuring seamless and sustainable management of their ICT environment.
Project Objectives
The History Trust sought to update their outdated and aging on-premises infrastructure by moving to a more modern and secure environment. The Comunet team needed to ensure support for the museums and provide a stable, modern network, which required an investment in the future.
The History Trust’s overarching objective was for a more cost-effective solution, rather than simply replacing on-premises equipment, to better manage ongoing costs and provide the best balance between operational efficiency and value for money as a state government agency.
The History Trust wanted to invest in a cloud solution to help future-proof their environment.
The Challenge
Comunet proposed a three-month project plan for the migration.
Given the short timeframe and the need to work with legacy systems, uplifting the environment without disrupting the History Trust’s daily operations posed a significant challenge.
Its operations span multiple sites and include activities almost every day of the year, necessitating a seamless transition.
The Solution
To address the History Trust’s requirements, Comunet implemented a comprehensive solution:
> Network Rebuild: Utilised FortiGate next-generation firewalls across multiple sites, improving security and network reliability.
> Cloud Migration: Migrated servers from aging on-premises infrastructure to AWS Cloud.
> Modern Workplace Solutions: Replaced legacy Remote Desktop Services with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
> Standard Operating Environment (SOE): Modernised the History Trust’s workstation fleet with best practice device security and application management.
> Email Migration: Transitioned from on-premises Exchange to Microsoft 365 Exchange Online.
> Managed Service Desk: Provided ongoing support in partnership with the History Trust’s onsite IT resources.
> Secure Backup and Archiving: Implemented robust backup solutions to protect digital assets.
> IT Training: Provided training to the History Trust’s onsite IT staff to ensure smooth operation and management of the new infrastructure.
Engagement and Collaboration
Comunet worked closely with various stakeholders to ensure project success:
> The History Trust Digital Transformation Team: Collaborated on strategic planning and execution.
> The History Trust Users: Engaged throughout the process to ensure their needs were met.
> Outgoing MSP: Coordinated with the previous managed service provider for a smooth transition.
> Internet Service Providers: Ensured network connectivity and reliability.
> AWS Client Relationship Manager: Facilitated the cloud migration process.
> Line of Business Application Vendors: Ensured compatibility and integration with existing applications.
Results and Benefits
The History Trust now operates in a modern, scalable, and secure IT environment.
Key benefits include:
> Enhanced Security: A hardened security posture across the IT environment.
> Improved Network Performance: Reliable and faster wireless and local access networks.
> Operational Efficiency: Streamlined support and reduced operating costs from break-fix scenarios.
> Scalability: A future-proofed environment that can easily adapt to new workloads and technologies.
> User Satisfaction: Seamless user experience with modern tools like Microsoft Teams.
> Data Protection: Secure backup and archiving of the History Trust’s valuable digital assets.
> Empowered IT Staff: Onsite IT staff trained and equipped to manage the new infrastructure effectively.