Cloud Migration & Virtual Desktop
Cloud migration and virtual desktops, delivered without the drama
Ageing servers, remote staff and growing teams are all good reasons to move to the cloud, but a rushed migration can create more problems than it solves. We plan every step, move your data and applications safely and can give your team a secure virtual desktop they can reach from any device.
- Discovery of servers, apps and data
- Migration to Microsoft 365 and Azure
- Azure Virtual Desktop for secure remote work
- Cutover scheduled outside business hours
- Post-migration support and optimization
Proven roadmap
Our cloud migration roadmap
Every migration follows the same disciplined process, whether you’re moving one server or an entire office.
- 01
Discover & assess
We map your servers, applications, data and dependencies, and identify what should move, stay or retire.
- 02
Design & plan
You receive a migration design, timeline, cost estimate and a rollback plan, all in plain language.
- 03
Migrate & test
Data and applications are moved in stages and tested thoroughly before anyone relies on them.
- 04
Cut over & support
The final switch happens after hours, and our helpdesk is ready to support your team the next morning.
Virtual desktops
What is a virtual desktop, and do you need one?
A virtual desktop is a full Windows workspace that runs in the cloud instead of on a physical computer. Staff sign in from a laptop, home PC, tablet or thin client and see the same desktop, apps and files every time.
Microsoft’s Azure Virtual Desktop is a great fit for businesses with remote or seasonal staff, older applications that need a Windows environment, or strict requirements to keep data off personal devices. Because business data stays in the cloud, a lost laptop doesn’t mean lost information.
- Same desktop and apps from any approved device
- Business data stays in the cloud, not on laptops
- New staff set up quickly
- Pay for the capacity you actually use
- Hybrid and remote teams
- Seasonal or contract workers
- Legacy Windows applications
- Sensitive or regulated data
What we can move to the cloud
From a single file server to your entire infrastructure.
File servers
Shared drives moved to SharePoint, OneDrive or Azure, with permissions cleaned up along the way.
Mailboxes, calendars and contacts migrated to Microsoft 365 from on-premises Exchange or other providers.
Business applications
Line-of-business apps hosted in Azure or replaced with cloud versions where it makes sense.
Servers
Physical and virtual servers rehosted in Azure, sized for performance and cost.
Databases
Accounting, CRM and industry databases moved with careful testing and minimal downtime.
Phone systems
Cloud phone systems through our partner VoiSwitch, so your extensions work from anywhere.
Learn moreIs your server due for replacement?
Before you buy new hardware, let’s compare the cost of another on-site server with a cloud alternative. You might be surprised by the answer.
Frequently asked questions
Will there be downtime during the migration?
Very little. Most data is copied in the background while your team keeps working, and the final cutover is scheduled outside business hours. You’ll know exactly when it’s happening and what to expect.
Do we have to move everything at once?
No. Many businesses migrate in phases, starting with email and files, then moving applications and servers later. A hybrid setup is perfectly normal along the way.
Can our older software run in the cloud?
Often, yes. Legacy Windows applications can usually run on a virtual desktop or an Azure server. We test compatibility before migrating so there are no surprises.
How is Azure Virtual Desktop priced?
Costs depend on the number of users, how much computing power they need and when they work. We size the environment carefully and provide an estimate before you commit, then review usage regularly to keep costs in check.
What happens to our old servers?
Once the migration is confirmed and backed up, we decommission old servers, securely wipe their drives and can arrange responsible recycling.
Related services
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Learn moreIT Consulting & vCIO
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Learn moreLet’s make IT the part of your business you stop worrying about.
Talk to a local, Canadian team that has been keeping GTA businesses running since 1996. Your first assessment is free, with no obligation.