In today’s rapidly changing technological landscape, the ability to execute a swift and efficient IT transformation can determine an organisation's future. This was the case for a leading Australian aged care provider that embarked on a comprehensive IT overhaul as part of a $1 billion acquisition. The company faced the challenge of migrating and modernising its legacy systems, all within a strict 12-month deadline.
The success of this transformation hinged on collaboration, meticulous planning, and partnering with experienced IT consultants. Here's how they did it and what your organisation can learn from their experience.
The Challenge: A Tight Deadline and Complex Systems
After acquiring the aged care provider, the organisation needed to separate from its previous owner and establish an independent IT infrastructure. The acquisition involved 59 communities and 9,000 residents, requiring the integration of new and legacy systems, all
while ensuring day-to-day operations were unaffected.
“There was a strict time frame, and the go-live date was immovable. We also had a lot of
technology partners we had to work with to deliver the solution,” said Julian Dagher, CTO of
Secure Agility
This situation mirrors what many mid-sized companies and government organisations face today: outdated legacy systems, an increasing reliance on digital solutions, and a constant push for modernisation under strict deadlines.
The Solution: Comprehensive IT Overhaul
Secure Agility, a key partner in this transformation, was initially engaged to handle end-user
computing and site relocation. However, as the project evolved, Secure Agility took on a
broader role, including:
- Cloud infrastructure setup: Establishing a Microsoft Azure tenancy and migrating critical business applications.
- Network transition: Migrating and separating MPLS, SD-WAN networks, and telephony services.
- Data migration: Transferring data from Microsoft 365, including identities, SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive for 500 users.
- Device management: Implementing an end-user device Standard Operating Environment (SOE) to ensure consistency across all operations.
This structured approach allowed the company to seamlessly transition from legacy systems to a new, scalable IT infrastructure without disrupting daily operations.
Lessons for IT Leaders
- Collaborate with Experts: IT transformations of this scale demand collaboration with experienced partners who can handle the project's technical and operational aspects. Secure Agility’s role in identifying gaps and filling them throughout the project helped mitigate risks and maintain timelines.
- Focus on Scalability and Growth: As seen in this case, modernising IT infrastructure is about meeting current needs and laying a foundation for future growth. Automation, cloud integration, and a centralised support desk ensured that this provider’s IT environment could scale as needed without constant intervention.
- Risk Mitigation is Key: Risk reduction was essential with just three in-house IT staff managing 59 communities. Automating user management processes and centralising service requests reduced the chances of data loss and ensured compliance with industry regulations.
Looking Forward: The Role of Technology in Aged Care
IT modernisation is no longer optional for mid-sized businesses and government
organisations, especially those dealing with sensitive data like healthcare or aged care. As
organisations increasingly rely on cloud services, data migration, and hybrid work
environments, the key is to ensure that these solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with
long-term business objectives.
By learning from this aged care provider’s transformation, IT leaders can better navigate the
complexities of their modernisation projects, ensuring success even under tight deadlines.
Read the full case study here.
