The cloud partner you select should reflect the standards you set.
For one of Australia’s most respected independent corporate law firms, renowned for advising both Australian and international enterprises, technology is central to delivering quality outcomes for clients. With more than 400 employees based in offices in six major cities across the country, their business depends on high-availability access to SQL Server databases and Windows-based apps – from case management tools to internal knowledge systems.
With a lean but expert internal IT team, the firm had been running all core systems in a virtualised cloud environment. But as their needs evolved, they sought a strategic partner to help them move to Azure and manage their next phase of growth.
“They had a clear roadmap in mind – migrate to Azure, simplify operations and partner with a provider that shared their commitment to service and culture,” says Daniel Trajkovski, principal consultant at Macquarie Cloud Services.
From vision to execution: A tailored Azure migration.
The firm’s key challenge was finding a partner that could not only execute a complex migration from their existing hosting environment, but also support them long-term through managed Azure services and future transformation projects.
Cost optimisation and licensing efficiency were important considerations, alongside the need for scalable infrastructure and a trusted ongoing relationship.
What set this engagement apart was the level of alignment between both teams from the outset. The legal firm had a clear technical roadmap, but needed a partner who could help validate and deliver it with minimal disruption, deep Microsoft expertise and a shared commitment to service excellence.
“They had a strong internal team and a clear direction. They just needed the right partner to help bring that to life,” says Daniel. “That meant taking the time to understand their current state and internal capabilities, plus what would set them up for long-term success in Azure.”
Macquarie Cloud Services designed a solution grounded in the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure, combining best-practice landing zone architecture with a seamless rehost approach for VMware workloads.
A strategic move, not just a technical one.
For the firm’s leadership, this project was about more than just technology. It was also about values and alignment. As legal professionals, they took a meticulous approach to assessing Macquarie Cloud Services’ capabilities, SLAs and contractual terms.
“That due diligence went both ways,” says Daniel. “What made this relationship strong from the start was a shared belief in service quality, transparency and long-term partnership.”
Over six months, the Macquarie Cloud Services team worked closely with stakeholders across the firm to design, plan and execute the project in a way that matched their pace and risk profile. This approach ensured minimal disruption to end users, and immediate improvements in performance, flexibility and visibility.
The Technical Solution.
Greenfield deployment of a secure, scalable Azure landing zone, built using Microsoft best-practice frameworks and governance controls.
Rehost migration of VMware-based workloads, including a suite of Windows Server virtual machines and SQL Server databases, preserving existing configurations and dependencies.
Deployment of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) to enable secure, remote access and a consistent desktop experience for staff working across multiple locations.
Native backup flexibility, allowing the customer to manage backups using Azure tools in line with internal policies and operational preferences.
Ongoing support through Macquarie Cloud Services’ Azure Managed Services, including monitoring, patching, performance tuning and roadmap alignment.
Results: Cost clarity, flexibility and a modern platform for growth.
The migration delivered immediate and measurable results for the firm. By taking advantage of Azure Hybrid Benefit, the team was able to bring existing Microsoft licences into the new environment – significantly reducing infrastructure costs and improving overall cost management. The move away from their previous hosting model has not only lowered their monthly cloud spend, but also made it easier to forecast costs and align technology investment with the business strategy.
Moving to Azure has also given the business greater flexibility to scale infrastructure in line with demand. Workloads can now be increased or reduced depending on project needs, without the constraints of rigid hosting contracts or unnecessary overhead. Internally, the firm’s IT team has retained control over key functions such as backup management using native Azure tools, allowing them to work in a way that suits their operational style.
The deployment of AVD has strengthened the firm’s support for hybrid work, providing secure access to critical systems from any location.
Combined with the firm’s modernised Azure foundation, this has created a more responsive and resilient digital environment.
Perhaps just as important as the technical outcomes is the strength of the partnership built through the project. With Macquarie Cloud Services now managing the firm’s Azure environment, the business has confidence that it is supported by a team that understands its priorities and can grow alongside its needs. It’s a support model that is built for reliability, and ready for whatever comes next.
Looking to the future.
With a strong Azure foundation now in place, the firm is already exploring next steps – from security and compliance enhancements to application modernisation and analytics.
“Macquarie Cloud Services is now in a great position to support them across future projects,” says Daniel. “And because we’ve built that trust, we can move faster and add more value as their needs evolve.”