Case Studies — Azure Identity, Active Directory & Cloud Projects

UPC Insurance: Enterprise Azure Migration (500+ Servers)

The Challenge

UPC Insurance, a publicly-traded property and casualty insurance company, needed to migrate 500+ servers from VMware/Nutanix datacenters to Microsoft Azure to exit expensive datacenter leases while improving reliability and security.

Key Constraints:

• Zero tolerance for extended downtime on critical systems
• Strict regulatory compliance (SOC, GLBA, publicly-traded company)
• Tight timeline (datacenter lease expiration)
• Small internal IT team with limited Azure experience

The Solution

Led comprehensive Azure migration with these key achievements:

Azure Architecture:

• Designed multi-subscription architecture (6 Azure subscriptions)
• Hub-and-spoke network topology with ExpressRoute
• Multi-region disaster recovery architecture
• Azure Policy for governance and compliance

Migration Execution:

• Migrated 500+ Windows Server VMs to Azure
• Phased approach over 18 months (6 migration waves)
• Used Azure Migrate for lift-and-shift
• SQL Server migrations using Azure Database Migration Service

Modern Workplace:

• Deployed Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune)
• Implemented Windows Autopilot, Conditional Access, MFA
• Migrated to Windows 365 (improved uptime from 85% to 99.9%)
• Deployed Windows Autopatch (85% reduction in patching workload)

Results

✅ 100% successful migration with zero downtime to production systems ✅ Completed 4 months ahead of datacenter lease expiration ✅ 30% cost reduction vs. on-premises infrastructure ✅ 99.9% uptime for critical systems ✅ Zero security incidents during and after migration ✅ Passed all compliance audits with zero findings

Technologies: Azure VMs, Azure Virtual Networks, ExpressRoute, Azure SQL, Azure Site Recovery, Microsoft Intune, Windows 365, PowerShell

Slide Insurance: Azure Infrastructure from Scratch

The Challenge

Slide Insurance needed complete IT infrastructure built from ground zero with no existing Azure environment, no formal Active Directory, and limited budget.

Requirements:

• Build entire Azure infrastructure from scratch
• Implement Modern Workplace for device management
• Establish secure identity and access management
• Deploy Azure Virtual Desktop for remote workers
• Achieve insurance industry compliance

The Solution

As the sole Senior Cloud Engineer, I designed and built:

Azure Infrastructure:

• Designed and deployed complete Azure cloud infrastructure
• Azure Virtual Networks with proper segmentation
• Hybrid connectivity and security architecture
• Azure Monitor and Log Analytics for comprehensive monitoring

Identity & Security:

• Deployed Active Directory Domain Controllers in Azure
• Configured Azure AD Connect for hybrid identity
• Implemented Conditional Access, MFA, and RBAC
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud security monitoring

Azure Virtual Desktop:

• Implemented Azure Virtual Desktop with Nerdio Enterprise
• Configured autoscaling for cost optimization
• FSLogix for profile management
• 99.9% uptime for remote access

Modern Workplace:

• Deployed Microsoft Intune from day one
• Windows Autopilot for zero-touch provisioning
• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint across all devices
• Information Protection policies

Results

✅ Complete infrastructure built in 6 months ✅ 99.9% uptime for Azure Virtual Desktop ✅ 100% cloud-native (no on-premises infrastructure) ✅ Zero security incidents since deployment ✅ Achieved insurance compliance requirements ✅ Enabled rapid business growth with scalable infrastructure

Technologies: Azure VMs, Azure Virtual Desktop, Nerdio Enterprise, Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Defender, Azure AD Connect

Insentra: Multi-Client Azure & Modern Workplace Consulting

The Challenge

As an Azure Consultant at Insentra, worked with multiple clients simultaneously across different industries (Healthcare, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Retail), each with unique cloud transformation challenges.

Representative Engagements

Healthcare Organization (150 employees):

• Migrated 80 Windows Server VMs to Azure
• Implemented Azure Virtual Desktop for clinical staff
• Achieved HIPAA compliance
• 35% cost reduction vs. on-premises

Professional Services Firm (300 employees):

• Assessed and documented 150+ Group Policies
• Migrated Active Directory to Azure VMs
• Deployed Intune with Autopilot
• Migrated 90% of Group Policies to Intune
• 75% reduction in VPN support tickets

Manufacturing Company (200 employees):

• Migrated file servers to Azure Files with File Sync
• Implemented Azure Site Recovery for DR
• Deployed Intune for multi-location device management
• 40% reduction in IT support burden

Retail Organization (120 employees):

• Migrated POS infrastructure to Azure
• Achieved PCI-DSS compliance
• Deployed Microsoft Defender across all devices
• Centralized device management across retail locations

Overall Results

✅ 10+ successful client engagements ✅ 300+ servers migrated to Azure ✅ 1,500+ endpoints managed with Intune ✅ Zero failed migrations ✅ 100% client satisfaction ✅ All compliance objectives achieved

Technologies: Azure Migrate, Azure Virtual Desktop, Azure Files, Microsoft Intune, Conditional Access, Microsoft Defender