AS Cooling is a specialist engineering business with a small office-based team supported by a number of mobile and email-only users. The company relied on Microsoft 365 for email alongside a largely basic IT setup, with documents stored locally and limited visibility across wider infrastructure, security and backup arrangements.
AS Cooling required a full review and modernisation of its IT environment to improve security, device management, backup resilience and day-to-day operational efficiency. The existing setup had minimal centralised management in place, with several areas either unmanaged or undocumented, including backups, firewalling, Wi-Fi management, email filtering and device security.
The business needed a structured onboarding process alongside a phased improvement programme that would strengthen Microsoft 365 security, modernise endpoint management and improve collaboration through SharePoint. As part of the engagement, there was also a requirement to transition incumbent IT services, standardise user management, and introduce clearer operational visibility across the environment.
We began with a structured onboarding process designed to establish visibility, security and long-term support readiness. This included onboarding the Microsoft 365 tenant into Qlic IT and Pax8 management, implementing secure administrative MFA using TOTP and Keeper, importing configuration and credential information into Autotask, and updating site configuration records with information gathered during discovery and onboarding.
To support ongoing operational management, we created a series of structured project and service tickets covering Microsoft 365 licensing migration, tenant security improvements, incumbent IT transition tasks, backup monitoring, password standardisation and wider service reviews. Missing information and undocumented devices were identified and investigated as part of the onboarding process to ensure the environment could be properly supported moving forward.
A key part of the project was the migration away from Dropbox and standalone OneDrive storage into a more structured SharePoint environment. Alongside this, we deployed Datto SaaS Backup protection for users and SharePoint data to improve resilience and recovery capability.
The wider modernisation programme included upgrading Windows Home devices to Windows Pro, deploying Microsoft Intune and Entra ID for centralised device and identity management, and implementing a Microsoft 365 security enhancement project. This included the deployment of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 P1 and Entra ID P1 licensing to strengthen identity security, email protection and conditional access capabilities.
To further improve endpoint security, Sophos Intercept X and device encryption were deployed across managed devices, with existing installations reviewed and standardised where required.
visibility, standardisation and operational resilience. Microsoft 365 services are now properly managed and protected, while the introduction of Intune and Entra ID provides a modern foundation for device management and user security.
The SharePoint migration has improved collaboration and accessibility by moving business data away from fragmented local and cloud storage platforms into a more structured and centrally managed environment. Backup protection through Datto SaaS Backup now provides greater confidence in data recovery and long-term resilience.
Security across the business has also been substantially strengthened through the implementation of MFA, Microsoft 365 security enhancements, Sophos endpoint protection and device encryption. Combined with proactive onboarding documentation and service management processes, AS Cooling is now in a much stronger position to scale and support its operations effectively.
- Completed full Microsoft 365 onboarding into Qlic IT and Pax8 management
- Implemented secure MFA protection for Microsoft 365 administrative access
- Centralised customer configuration and support documentation within Autotask
- Delivered SharePoint migration from Dropbox and standalone OneDrive storage
- Deployed Datto SaaS Backup protection for users and SharePoint data
- Upgraded Windows Home devices to Windows Pro
- Implemented Microsoft Intune and Entra ID for modern device and identity management
- Delivered Microsoft 365 security enhancement project including Defender for Office 365 and Entra ID P1 licensing
- Deployed Sophos Intercept X and device encryption across managed devices
- Improved visibility, standardisation and long-term support readiness across the environment
