SoftwareOne case study

Cloud Transition & Optimization with SoftwareOne

Starrag is a globally leading technology manufacturer of precision machine tools for medical and dental technology, the luxury goods industry, aerospace, as well as the energy and transportation industries. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company employs around 1,400 people and operates several production sites as well as sales and service companies across Europe and worldwide. Its portfolio of machine tools, combined with extensive technology and services, enables customers to achieve substantial improvements in quality and productivity.

Starrag AG’s IT organization was at a fundamental turning point. Numerous Microsoft licenses were expiring, and extended support for Office and Windows threatened to create significant additional costs. At the same time, it became clear that the existing on-premises infrastructure could no longer meet the requirements of a modern, internationally connected working environment, or only with disproportionately high effort.

1.300 +
employees gain access to a modern M365 cloud environment
More security and cost control
through a clear licensing and security strategy
High user adoption
thanks to training and sustainable knowledge transfer

Client: Starrag AG
Industry: Manufacturing
Platform: Microsoft Azure
Services: Cloud Transition & Optimization (Microsoft 365)
Country: Switzerland

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The aim of the project was to consistently move the existing IT infrastructure to the cloud and establish Microsoft 365 as the foundation for modern work. In addition to the technical migration, the project was designed to set the course economically and organizationally: a licensing strategy that optimizes costs in the long term and ensures compliance at all times, consistent security standards such as multi-factor authentication and Intune-based device management, and high user adoption through clear communication and accompanying training measures.

Starrag chose SoftwareOne as its partner because the company convinced with its role as a trusted advisor: independent of pure license sales, with deep expertise in complex Microsoft projects and an international network of specialists.

SoftwareOne not only guided us securely into the cloud, but also enabled us to make optimal use of it. From licensing strategy to day-to-day collaboration, we benefit in every area.

Kevin von Ameln

Head of IT Operations, Starrag AG

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At the beginning of the project, SoftwareOne conducted comprehensive workshops together with Starrag to capture the requirements of all stakeholders and define priorities. The goal was to develop a roadmap that would make the short-term benefits visible to users while securing the long-term transition to a cloud-based Microsoft environment.

SoftwareOne based its approach on a model that had already proven successful in numerous Microsoft 365 implementations. This was an approach Starrag explicitly wanted in order to benefit from the learnings of other companies.

A step-by-step approach was critical to the success of the project. SoftwareOne gradually rolled out the Microsoft 365 applications, accompanied by webinars and further training measures at Starrag. This helped achieve strong user adoption of Microsoft 365 right from the start.

After setting up the Microsoft 365 tenant in line with Starrag’s specific requirements, the migration of around 1,300 employees to Exchange Online followed, along with the provision of Office applications and Teams, which significantly facilitated cross-site collaboration. SoftwareOne also covered the areas of security and compliance with Microsoft 365.

In addition to the collaborative partnership, Starrag particularly valued the fact that SoftwareOne did not simply configure a finished cloud environment in the background, but developed the settings and decisions together with the IT team. This created sustainable knowledge transfer that enabled Starrag to continue many topics independently in the future. For specific requirements, such as in the area of identity and access management (IAM), SoftwareOne drew on its global expert network and contributed experience and expertise from comparable projects. This made it possible to overcome both technical hurdles and organizational challenges without disrupting day-to-day business.

With the introduction of Microsoft 365, we have laid the foundation for modern work. Today, our teams can collaborate across locations in real time. More efficiently, more transparently and more flexibly than ever before.

Kevin von Ameln

Head of IT Operations, Starrag AG

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The Cloud Transition & Optimization project with SoftwareOne has fundamentally modernized Starrag’s IT landscape and created a future-proof foundation for cross-site work. The subscription model not only provides flexibility, but also short innovation cycles thanks to monthly updates and direct access to new Microsoft 365 features and technologies.

Another benefit from Starrag’s perspective: SoftwareOne supported the machine tool manufacturer not only with the setup and deployment of Microsoft 365, but also as a trusted advisor in contract negotiations with Microsoft.

The close, collaborative partnership and clear roadmap led to measurable success:

Successful migration of more than 1,300 mailboxes to Exchange Online
Future-proof IT environment based on Microsoft 365
Sustainable knowledge building within the customer’s IT team
Economic benefits in license procurement
Excellent user adoption and improved collaboration
Higher IT security through mandatory MFA and Intune-based device management
Valuable flexibility for future extensions, such as the use of Microsoft Copilot