Two Customers Drive Efficiency and Growth Using Microsoft 365

As businesses embrace emerging technologies such as AI and prioritize remote work, Microsoft® 365® continues to be an indispensable tool for collaboration and productivity.

As a subscription-based service, Microsoft® 365® promotes teamwork and communication through features like Microsoft® Teams®, Microsoft® SharePoint® and Microsoft® OneDrive®. It also can provide reliable and constantly updated enterprise security, which makes it a cost-effective cloud-based solution for many organizations.

Microsoft 365 offers vast scalability, with different subscription levels providing the ability to add or remove users on-demand. With Rackspace Technology® on their side, users can take full advantage of Microsoft 365 with a customer-centric approach and ongoing support.

Streamlining Rena Ware's global operations

Rena Ware International, Inc is a direct seller of eco-friendly household goods, with specialization in the global distribution of high-quality cookware, kitchenware, water filtration systems and other products. The global COVID-19 crisis posed challenges for the company's operations, as it had different regional processes and systems leading to communication and cost issues.

To address these, Rena Ware's leadership decided to revamp and streamline its basic business operations, with the help of Rackspace Technology. Rather than a "big-bang" approach, where all regions switch to Microsoft 365 at once, Rackspace recommended a phased approach to minimize the risk of disruption. One of the key strategies that the Rackspace team used was prompt communication and action. By setting up a Microsoft Teams project, teams were able to regularly exchange ideas quickly in response to any issues that arose.

The approach, albeit more costly, proved to be successful, with a 40% reduction in monthly expenses and improved communication and productivity. Despite the potential impact on budget and timeline considerations, presenting Rena Ware with the pros and cons of an alternative solution and letting the company make an informed decision reflected the Rackspace team's commitment to full transparency and prioritizing the customer's best interest.

Read Rena Ware case study here.

inPhronesis integrates M365 expertise

To modernize its email and knowledge management systems, the biomedical software expert inPhronesis turned to Rackspace Technology for assistance. As part of this project, the two teams worked together to create a plan for integrating various applications and managing mobile devices used by employees in the field.

In implementing and integrating Microsoft 365 for its clients, the Rackspace Elastic Engineering team acted as an extension of the customer’s technical team. Rackspace focused on customer goals and used its expertise to offer proactive support for Microsoft 365, staying current with updates and features. This has helped customers with busy internal IT teams stay on top of changes.

The Rackspace Elastic Engineering team’s strategy with customers is a “do with” approach, assessing current configurations and address uncertainties during the transition to the cloud. This fosters a collaborative relationship and consistent expertise in Microsoft 365. inPhronesis also underwent a SOC 2 certification process, which can be complex for small businesses. Using the flexible Rackspace Elastic Engineering engagement model, inPhronesis was able to successfully deploy Microsoft 365 and meet SOC 2 compliance requirements.

Read inPhronesis case study here.

Planning for M365 success

Implementing and integrating Microsoft 365 is a journey, not a one-time event, and Rackspace Technology is committed to providing support and expertise for any potential challenges that may arise. As a result, customers feel supported and ready to fully leverage Microsoft 365's capabilities.

Beyond the initial implementation and integration of the Microsoft 365 solution, the Rackspace team provided continuous optimization services to ensure that customers are fully utilizing the latest features and optimizing their Microsoft 365 subscriptions. By working closely with customers and providing tailored solutions, Rackspace helps organizations like yours fully leverage the benefits of Microsoft 365 and keep pace with the competition. The commitment we bring to transparency, collaboration and ongoing support makes us a valuable partner for businesses looking to optimize the performance and capabilities of Microsoft 365.