IT Projects & Migrations
Change Your IT Without Derailing Your Business
Moving to Microsoft 365, upgrading your network or moving office? We plan the work, carry it out in stages and hand over clear documentation when it's done.
What is IT Projects & Migrations?
Some IT work doesn't fit into everyday support: moving email to Microsoft 365, replacing a server, upgrading Wi-Fi and switches, moving into a new office or rolling out new laptops across the business. These are projects, and they go more smoothly when they are planned properly.
We scope each project with you, agree what will change and when, then carry out the work in stages so your team can keep working. At the end, you get documentation of what was done and a handover to whoever supports your IT day to day, whether that's us or your own team.
Key benefits
- A clear scope and plan agreed before work starts
- Changes carried out in stages, with testing along the way
- Switchovers timed to keep disruption to your team low
- Security built into the new setup from the start
- Documentation and a proper handover at the end
How does it work?
Every project follows the same basic structure, whatever its size. The detail changes from project to project, but discovery, planning, careful delivery and handover stay the same.
Discovery
We review your current systems, data, users and suppliers, and identify the dependencies and risks that could affect the project.
Plan and scope
We agree the scope, approach, timings, responsibilities and a fallback plan, and confirm them in a written proposal before work begins.
Migrate and cut over
We build and test the new setup, move data and services in stages where possible, then switch over (the cutover) at an agreed time, often outside your busiest hours.
Document and hand over
We check everything works, support your team through the first days after the change and hand over documentation of the finished setup.
What a project can include
- An audit of existing systems, data, licences and suppliers
- Mapping of dependencies, so connected systems and services aren't missed
- Data migration, with checks that content and permissions have moved correctly
- DNS changes (updates to the internet's address book for your domain) for email and services
- Pilot groups before a wider rollout
- Out-of-hours cutovers, where agreed
- Security settings applied to new systems as part of the build
- A rollback plan in case a cutover needs to be reversed
- Documentation of the finished setup, including updated network diagrams where relevant
- Switching off old systems and accounts once the new setup is confirmed
Types of project
Our quote builder has a separate option for the most common project types. If yours doesn't fit, choose IT Project or Migration and describe what you need.
Microsoft 365 migrations
Moving mailboxes and files to Microsoft 365 from Google Workspace, on-premises Exchange or another email provider, or between Microsoft 365 tenants. Choose Microsoft 365 Migration in the quote builder.
Network installation or upgrade
New or replacement Wi-Fi, switches, cabling or firewalls, including the network for an office move. Choose Network Installation or Upgrade.
Server and infrastructure changes
Server replacement, virtualisation, storage upgrades and moving workloads to the cloud. Choose Server & Infrastructure Project.
Office moves and new offices
Planning IT for a new or relocated office: internet connections, network, Wi-Fi, phones and moving equipment, coordinated with your other suppliers.
Hardware refreshes and everything else
Rolling out new laptops and desktops, setting up a new office, cloud migrations and other one-off work. Choose IT Project or Migration.
Problems solved
Migrations that leave things behind
Rushed moves can miss mail, shared files or permissions. Discovery and post-migration checks reduce that risk.
Downtime at the worst moment
Switching systems in the middle of the working day stops people working. Cutovers are scheduled at times agreed with you.
Office moves where the IT isn't ready
Internet lines and equipment take time to arrange. Planning early gives the best chance of everything working when staff arrive.
Nobody knows how the new system was set up
Projects without documentation leave the next person guessing. We hand over records of the finished setup.
Old systems left running
Retired servers and unused accounts left switched on become a security risk. Removing them is planned as part of the project.
What's included
Included as standard
- Discovery of your current systems and requirements
- A written scope, plan and proposal before work begins
- Project delivery by Pulsar IT engineers within the agreed scope
- Testing before and after cutover
- Communication with your staff about what will change and when
- Documentation of the finished setup and a handover
- Support for issues directly caused by the change, for a period agreed in your proposal
Optional or scoped
Available on request and confirmed in your proposal; not part of the standard service.
- Out-of-hours or weekend work
- Coordination with your other suppliers, such as line providers, landlords and software vendors
- Staff training on new systems
- Supply and set-up of new equipment through IT Equipment Procurement & Deployment
- Ongoing management of the new setup after handover
What's not included
- Hardware, software licences and third-party services, unless agreed in your proposal
- Building and electrical work
- Fixing faults in third-party software that its supplier needs to resolve
- Work outside the agreed scope, which is quoted as a change before it starts
Timescales depend on the size of the project, your suppliers and lead times for lines and equipment, so we confirm them in your proposal rather than promising them up front.
Some short disruption can be unavoidable, for example while email routing changes take effect or staff sign in to new systems for the first time. We plan to keep it brief and tell your team what to expect.
Who it's suitable for
- Businesses moving email and files to Microsoft 365, or between tenants
- Organisations relocating or opening a new office
- Businesses replacing ageing servers, network equipment or laptops
- Companies with in-house IT that need extra hands for a specific project
- Businesses combining or separating IT after a merger or change of ownership
Pricing
This service is tailored to your business, so we confirm the price after a short conversation about your requirements. There is no charge for the conversation.
Use the quote builder to add IT Projects & Migrations to an indicative quote, or book a free security review and we'll recommend what fits.
Price
Price Based on Scope
Price to be confirmed following a review of your requirements.
What affects the price
- Type and size of project
- Number of users, devices and sites
- Amount of data to move
- Condition of your current systems
- Work needed outside business hours
- Hardware, licences and third-party suppliers involved
- Documentation and training required
All prices exclude VAT.
Add to Your QuoteFrequently asked questions
Can you run a project if you don't provide our day-to-day support?
Yes. We can deliver a project on its own and hand over to your in-house team or current provider, with documentation of what we've done. If you'd like ongoing support afterwards, see Managed IT Support.
How long does a Microsoft 365 migration take?
It depends on the number of mailboxes, the amount of data, where you're moving from and how much preparation is needed. We give you a timetable in the proposal once discovery is complete.
Will our staff be able to work during the project?
That's the aim. Most preparation happens in the background, and cutovers are scheduled at agreed times, often outside working hours. We tell staff beforehand what will change and anything they need to do.
When should we involve you in an office move?
As early as possible. Internet connections and phone lines can take time to install, and lead times vary by location and provider. See Business Broadband & Leased Lines for more on connections.
How are projects priced?
Each project is scoped and priced individually after discovery. In Build Your Quote, choose Microsoft 365 Migration, Network Installation or Upgrade, Server & Infrastructure Project or IT Project or Migration, and we'll follow up to confirm the details.
What if the scope changes part-way through?
We talk to you before doing anything outside the agreed scope, explain the effect on cost and timings, and only go ahead once you've approved the change.
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