Key Takeaways:

• Apex helped a Wall Street financial firm migrate from GoDaddy-hosted Microsoft 365 to a direct Microsoft 365 tenant with enhanced security and features.
• The move consolidated data from two separate cloud servers into SharePoint, reducing complexity and backup costs.
• Apex integrated Microsoft Entra ID for centralized administration, device management, and security policy enforcement.
• The client achieved a payback period of roughly 18 months, with ongoing monthly savings of approximately $2,000+.
• The project was implemented rapidly—within just a few weeks—despite covering over 100 employees.

Background

When a Manhattan-based investment bank approached Apex Technology Services, they were grappling with an increasingly complex and expensive IT environment. Their Microsoft 365 email was being provided through GoDaddy, which created functional and financial limitations. Data was split across two separate cloud servers, backup routines were cumbersome, and administrative control was fragmented.

Apex was tasked with modernizing and streamlining this financial institution’s IT environment, improving access and security while reducing recurring costs.

Case Study Challenges

The bank’s legacy configuration presented several inefficiencies:

• Limited Microsoft 365 Functionality: GoDaddy’s implementation of Microsoft 365 lacked access to the full feature set available through a direct Microsoft license. It also imposed stricter data caps and added incremental costs for storage.
• Disparate Cloud Storage: Company files were hosted across two isolated cloud environments. This made access difficult for employees, particularly those working remotely, and introduced additional complexity for routine maintenance and backups.
• Administrative Fragmentation: Without centralized control over users and devices, enforcing security policies or provisioning new systems required more manual effort and was prone to error.

Solution

Apex recommended a full migration to a Microsoft-managed 365 tenant and a transition to Microsoft SharePoint for unified cloud-based storage. This move not only consolidated the company’s data but also set the foundation for more efficient collaboration across teams.

In parallel, Apex deployed Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) to centralize user and workstation management. This introduced:

• Single Sign-On (SSO) across email and SharePoint
• Streamlined device security policies
• Improved identity and access management

These upgrades allowed Apex to deliver a more secure and responsive IT environment, all managed through a centralized administrative interface.

Results

The financial returns were immediate and measurable. By moving to a direct Microsoft 365 model, the firm began saving approximately $2,000+ each month. Over time, this monthly reduction in operating costs added up to a full return on investment in about 18 months.

Operationally, the migration unified the company’s storage and communications infrastructure, improving productivity and reducing friction for the firm’s more than 120 employees. SharePoint access, both on- and off-site, eliminated data silos and improved team collaboration.

From a cybersecurity and compliance standpoint, Apex’s integration of Microsoft Entra ID provided the company with more robust controls over who could access what, and from where. IT teams could now manage permissions, apply security patches, and lock down endpoints without needing to juggle separate systems.

Perhaps most notably, the project was executed with speed. The full migration and setup took just a few weeks—limiting business disruption and fast-tracking benefits.

Client Impact

Thanks to Apex Technology Services’ strategic roadmap and execution, the investment bank now enjoys:

• Lower monthly IT costs
• Improved security posture
• Streamlined administrative workflows
• Cloud-based data access from any location
• Faster onboarding and offboarding of employees

What started as a routine cost audit turned into a catalyst for modernizing the firm's digital foundation.

Conclusion

For investment firms, the cost of outdated infrastructure goes far beyond dollars and cents—it affects compliance, agility, and client confidence. By partnering with Apex, this Wall Street firm unlocked a modernized IT backbone designed for both performance and resilience.

With a focus on ROI and rapid deployment, Apex continues to serve as a trusted advisor for companies looking to maximize the value of their technology investments without compromising on security or efficiency.