The Next Step: Moving to a Fully Cloud-Native, Server-Free Environment

Challenge

Having previously modernised the firm's infrastructure by consolidating onto a single virtualised Server 2019 host, the client was ready for the next stage of its cloud journey: removing on-premises infrastructure altogether. While the earlier upgrade had resolved the immediate end-of-life risk, several longer-term challenges remained:

• Single Physical Asset & BCDR Risk: The on-premises server, though modern at the time, still represented a single physical asset that needed patching, monitoring, and an ongoing Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) solution to protect against downtime and data loss.
• VPN Dependency & Support Overhead: Staff working outside the office relied on a VPN to reach the server and line-of-business application, adding complexity, support overhead, and a dependency that could fail independently of the applications themselves.
• On-Premises Practice Management Lock-In: The firm's core practice management system, Affinity, was an on-premises application tied to the local server — limiting flexibility, complicating upgrades, and keeping the business anchored to physical infrastructure.
• Hybrid Identity Friction: Identity and access were still partly tied to on-premises directory services, adding friction to a fully flexible, work-from-anywhere model.
• Location-Dependent Workstations: As the business grew, the client wanted every workstation to work identically whether in the office, at home, or on the road — without VPNs, local servers, or location-dependent configuration.

Approach

Building directly on the earlier modernisation work, Kinesis Cloud designed and delivered a full transition to a SaaS-first operating model, removing the remaining on-premises footprint entirely.

Decommissioning the Server

• Retire Infrastructure Footprint: Retire the on-premises Server 2019 host and its three virtual machines, the final piece of physical infrastructure from the earlier modernisation project.
• Migrate Data to M365: Migrate the remaining file storage and shared data into Microsoft 365 (SharePoint/OneDrive), removing the need for a local file server entirely.

Identity & Productivity in the Cloud

• Microsoft Entra ID Migration: Move identity and access management fully into Microsoft Entra ID, replacing the remaining on-premises directory dependency.
• Cloud-Only Productivity Suite: Complete the shift to a cloud-only Microsoft 365 email and productivity environment, building on the hybrid configuration established in the earlier phase.

Line-of-Business Application Migration

• Transition to Cloud-Native ActionStep: Replace the on-premises Affinity practice management application with ActionStep, a cloud-native practice and matter management platform.
• Data & Matter Cutover: Assist in migrating matters, documents, and historical data from Affinity into ActionStep, with a planned cutover to protect continuity of client work.

Removing Network Dependencies

• Eliminate VPN Requirement: Eliminate the VPN entirely — with no on-premises server or application left to reach, staff connect straight to Microsoft 365 and ActionStep over the internet.
• Standardise Device Configurations: Standardise workstation configuration so every device behaves the same way whether it's in the office, at home, or travelling, with no location-specific setup required.
• Retire Local BCDR Solutions: Retire the BCDR solution put in place for the on-premises server, as there is no longer any local infrastructure left to protect — business continuity is now inherited from the underlying SaaS platforms.

Outcomes

• Server-Free Operating Model: Achieve a fully server-free environment, removing the cost, maintenance, and risk associated with owning and running physical infrastructure.
• Simplified Technology Estate: Simplify the technology estate by retiring the BCDR solution and VPN, both of which are now unnecessary with no on-premises systems left to protect or reach.
• Location-Independent Workstyle: Deliver a truly location-independent way of working, with every workstation behaving identically in the office, at home, or on the road.
• Modern Practice Capability: Modernise the firm's core practice management capability by moving from on-premises Affinity to cloud-native ActionStep, improving accessibility and reducing reliance on local infrastructure.
• Centralised Cloud Identity: Centralise identity and access management in Microsoft Entra ID, simplifying security administration and enabling consistent access policies across the business.
• Reduced Support & Cost Burden: Reduce the overall support burden and ongoing infrastructure costs by consolidating on a small number of well-integrated SaaS platforms rather than a mix of on-premises and cloud systems.
• Scalable Business Foundation: Position the business to scale, relocate, or add staff without any dependency on physical office infrastructure.

Kinesis Cloud — Modernising infrastructure, identity, and security for organisations that can't afford downtime.