Direct Storage Systems is a provider of premium office furniture and commercial fit-out solutions. Their business involves frequent communication with suppliers, clients, and internal teams, making reliable email, secure file access, and protected endpoints essential.

Before engaging Distinct, the company was relying on outdated infrastructure, including IMAP-based webmail accounts and an on-premises file server. There was no centralised security, no directory management, and ongoing issues with mailbox size limits and syncing. This legacy environment created risks, inefficiencies, and roadblocks to growth.

As the company expanded, it became increasingly clear that its existing systems weren't keeping up:

• Webmail Limitations: Staff were using basic POP mailboxes with limited storage, no threat protection, and no mobile device policies, leading to frequent delivery failures and sync issues.
• On-Premises File Server: File storage was managed locally on a physical server with no off-site access or collaboration tools, increasing the risk of data loss and limiting remote work capabilities.
• Lack of Cybersecurity & Identity Management: Devices had no endpoint protection, and there was no Active Directory or centralized user control in place.

The leadership team at Direct Storage Systems knew it was time to upgrade to a cloud-first, security-focused environment that could scale with their operations.

Distinct was engaged to deliver a complete infrastructure modernisation—designed to streamline communications, secure business data, and enable the team to work more flexibly and safely.

Key parts of the transformation included:

• Microsoft 365 Migration: All users were transitioned from legacy POP mailboxes to Microsoft 365, giving them enterprise-grade email with:
  • 50GB+ storage
  • Built-in spam and phishing protection
  • Seamless syncing across devices
  • Access to Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and productivity tools
• SharePoint File Storage Implementation: We decommissioned the on-prem file server and migrated all business-critical data to SharePoint. This enabled:
  • Secure remote access to files from anywhere
  • Real-time collaboration between staff
  • Automated versioning and backup
• Identity and Device Security: With no existing Active Directory, we implemented Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) to:
  • Centrally manage users and access permissions
  • Enforce sign-in security with MFA and conditional access
  • Lay the foundation for long-term security and compliance
• Endpoint Protection Rollout: All staff devices were equipped with modern endpoint protection and brought under unified management, closing a critical security gap.
• Comprehensive Managed IT Services: With the infrastructure modernised, Direct Storage Systems now benefits from our managed services, including:
  • 24/7 monitoring
  • Helpdesk support
  • Strategic technology planning

Direct Storage Systems now operates with confidence in a fully modern cloud environment. Email and file access are faster, more secure, and scalable. Staff can work from anywhere without risking business data, and leadership has peace of mind knowing all devices and users are protected and centrally managed.

By partnering with Distinct, Direct Storage Systems has future-proofed its IT operations, giving its team the tools and security they need to grow without barriers.