Financial Services · Cloud & Microsoft 365

Cloud & Microsoft 365 for Financial Services Firms

Achieve compliant cloud infrastructure that modernises operations, enables seamless collaboration, and meets strict financial services security and compliance requirements.

Legacy on-premise servers approaching end of life
Unoptimised Microsoft 365 licencing and underutilised features
Security and compliance gaps in cloud configuration
Collaboration barriers with outdated communication tools
Your M365 Ecosystem Fully managed, compliance-ready
Microsoft Teams
SharePoint
Azure Cloud
Exchange / Email
Microsoft Defender
Purview & Compliance
Cloud Services

Complete Cloud & Microsoft 365 Solutions

From first-time cloud migration to ongoing Microsoft 365 optimisation, compliance configuration, and cost management — everything your financial services firm needs to run modern cloud infrastructure.

Microsoft 365 Optimisation

Comprehensive assessment and optimisation of licences, features, and configurations — eliminating waste and maximising collaboration ROI, with Copilot-ready tenant configuration aligned to APRA and OAIC guidance.

Azure Cloud Migration

Managed migration from legacy on-premise servers to Azure cloud infrastructure — with zero data loss, continuous availability during transition, and APRA-aligned security controls from day one.

SharePoint & Teams Deployment

Configure secure SharePoint sites and Teams channels for collaboration, knowledge management, and firm governance — replacing legacy file shares and email-based workflows with structured, auditable systems.

Cloud Security & Compliance

Implement security controls, data protection policies, compliance monitoring, and audit logging meeting APRA CPS 234 requirements — with Conditional Access, DLP, and Australian data residency confirmed.

Email Security & Protection

Advanced threat protection, spam and phishing filtering, encryption, and data loss prevention — ensuring client communications and sensitive financial data are protected across all email workflows.

Licence Management & Cost Optimisation

Continuous optimisation of Microsoft 365 and Azure licences — right-sizing subscriptions to actual usage, eliminating unused licences, and applying reserved pricing and hybrid benefits to reduce cloud spend by 20–40%.

Migration ROI

The Numbers Behind Cloud Migration

Financial services firms migrating to Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 consistently see measurable cost and operational improvements within the first year.

25–40% Reduction in total cost of ownership within 12 months of migration TCO Improvement
$30K+ Typical hardware savings eliminating ageing on-premise server infrastructure Hardware Savings
20–40% Licence cost reduction through right-sizing and Microsoft 365 optimisation Licence Savings
12–18 mo Typical payback period accounting for hardware, overhead, and operational benefits Payback Period
Cloud Adoption Scenarios

Cloud Solutions for All Financial Services Firms

Whether you're migrating for the first time, optimising an existing environment, or unifying a distributed practice — we configure Microsoft cloud solutions to fit your firm's situation.

01

Firms Moving to Cloud

First-time cloud migration for practices running legacy on-premise servers. We handle the full journey — audit, architecture, migration, training, and ongoing management — with zero downtime and a clear timeline from day one.
02

Microsoft 365 Optimisation

Practices already using Microsoft 365 but overspending on licences, underusing features, or lacking APRA-compliant security configuration. Includes Copilot-readiness configuration: Australian data residency, Purview DLP, and Conditional Access aligned to APES 110 and OAIC guidance.
03

Multi-Office Collaboration

Distributed practices across multiple locations seeking unified communication, file sharing, and collaboration. We deploy Teams and SharePoint across all offices and remote workers with consistent governance, access controls, and a single compliance baseline.
Migration Journey

Proven Migration & Optimisation Process

A structured approach ensuring successful cloud transition with zero disruption, comprehensive compliance, and optimised operations from day one.

1

Audit

  • Existing infrastructure assessment
  • Application inventory and dependencies
  • Licence and cost baseline
  • Compliance gap analysis
  • Cloud readiness scoring
2

Design

  • Azure architecture blueprint
  • Security and compliance controls
  • Hybrid vs full-cloud decisions
  • Cost modelling and ROI projection
  • Migration sequence and timeline
3

Migrate

  • Phased workload migration
  • Parallel system operation
  • Continuous validation testing
  • Zero-downtime cutover
  • Staff training and onboarding
4

Manage

  • Ongoing cloud operations
  • Licence optimisation reviews
  • Compliance monitoring reports
  • Security patch management
  • Continuous improvement planning
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does cloud migration typically take? Timeline depends on infrastructure complexity, data volume, and application count. Single-office migrations typically take 6–12 weeks; multi-office consolidations 16–24 weeks. Microsoft 365 and Teams migrations are typically fastest at 4–8 weeks. We plan phased migrations moving lower-risk workloads first, running parallel systems during transition to ensure business continuity. Detailed timelines are established during the design phase, accounting for testing and validation periods.
What are typical cost savings from cloud migration? Cost savings vary by current infrastructure. Typical savings include: eliminated server depreciation ($30–50k+ hardware), reduced IT management overhead, lower electricity costs, and right-sized Microsoft 365 licencing (saving 20–40%). Total cost of ownership typically drops 25–40% within the first year. Azure reserved instances and hybrid benefits reduce cloud operating costs further. We provide detailed cost modelling during the audit phase showing ROI against your current spend.
Is Azure secure enough for financial adviser data? Yes. Azure meets stringent financial services compliance standards including SOC 2, ISO 27001, and Australian regulatory requirements. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Access controls prevent unauthorised viewing and audit logging tracks all activity. Properly configured Azure cloud infrastructure provides superior security compared to most on-premise environments — and we implement additional layers specific to APRA CPS 234 and Privacy Act requirements.
Can we keep Xplan or IRESS on-premise and move other systems to cloud? Yes, hybrid approaches are common in financial services. Many practices keep specialised platforms on-premise while moving email, collaboration, file storage, and general applications to cloud. We implement Azure hybrid identity and network integration so on-premise and cloud systems work seamlessly together. We assess each application individually to determine the optimal placement — balancing compliance, performance, cost, and vendor support requirements.
How much does Microsoft 365 and Azure typically cost? Microsoft 365 for financial services ranges from $15–$22 AUD per user per month depending on plan and features. Azure infrastructure typically runs $2,000–$10,000+ per month depending on workload complexity. We provide detailed cost modelling during the audit phase, showing the full ROI comparison against your current on-premise costs. Most practices see investment payback within 12–18 months when accounting for hardware, reduced IT overhead, and operational improvements.
What training will staff need for the cloud transition? We provide comprehensive training covering Teams, SharePoint, cloud storage, security practices, and workflow changes — delivered before cutover through instructor-led sessions, self-paced modules, and documentation. We establish support channels during transition. For most staff, cloud tools are easier than legacy systems: OneDrive is simpler than file shares, Teams more intuitive than email and meeting rooms. Change management and adoption support are included, not an afterthought.
Ready to Modernise Your Infrastructure?

Move Beyond Legacy Servers — for Good

Secure, compliant, cloud infrastructure that scales with your firm, reduces costs, and enables your team to collaborate from anywhere — without the headaches of on-premise management.

Book a Cloud Readiness Assessment 0424 444 609 Tom Buckley · Director of Business Development