Built to Last: Microsoft 365 Backup for Architecture Teams

This London-based architecture and urban design studio is known for blending innovative thinking with a deep commitment to sustainability. Their projects span commercial, residential, healthcare, and heritage, with every design rooted in environmental performance and thoughtful urban planning.

From high-spec digital modelling to hands-on craftsmanship, the practice brings together creativity, precision, and collaboration to deliver spaces that are functional, refined, and future-focused.

With over 50 employees and a growing portfolio, the firm needed more than good ideas; they needed rock-solid data resilience to match.

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Industry: Architecture and Urban Design

‍Organisation Size: 50+ employees‍

Service Areas: Microsoft 365 Tenant Backups, Data Security and Storage

In architecture, the work doesn’t stop once a project is handed over; especially when it comes to data. Firms are expected to retain records for years, storing everything from design files to email trails and stakeholder approvals.

For this practice, that meant managing an ever-growing archive of critical data across Microsoft Exchange, OneDrive, and SharePoint. But during our initial assessment, a worrying picture emerged: there was no centralised backup strategy, and the firm was relying almost entirely on Microsoft’s default 90-day retention policy.

Some files were being manually saved to local servers but not consistently. There were no daily backups, no easy recovery path, and no ransomware protection in place for their Microsoft 365 environment.

In short, they were exposed. One accidental deletion or cyber incident could have meant years of design and project work lost; not to mention regulatory risk.

The business needed more than a quick fix; they needed a future-ready solution that would scale with their Microsoft 365 usage and protect their project history for the long term.

We began with a detailed audit of their existing data protection measures, reviewing onsite storage, offsite backup practices, and any existing immutability safeguards. This process confirmed that email data, in particular, was not being backed up adequately.

Here’s how we addressed the gaps:

• Implemented a dedicated Microsoft 365 backup solution covering Exchange, OneDrive, and SharePoint
• Deployed a secure, cloud-based environment to manage and store all backup data centrally
• Configured automated daily backups with centralised monitoring and alerting
• Ensured the solution would scale with their Microsoft 365 footprint, avoiding the need for future redesigns
• Delivered long-term retention capabilities to meet both compliance requirements and operational recovery needs

The result was a robust, automated backup system that removed manual processes, closed critical risks, and ensured long-term data resilience.

For a design practice built on long timelines and complex projects, implementing a Microsoft 365 backup solution wasn’t just a safety net; it was a strategic step forward.

The studio now runs a fully managed, cloud-based backup system that protects its Exchange, OneDrive, and SharePoint environments. Backups are automated, monitored, and secured, with no reliance on local servers or manual processes.

If data is ever accidentally deleted or targeted by ransomware, it can be quickly recovered without disruption. The system also meets the firm’s data retention responsibilities, ensuring compliance with industry standards and client expectations.

With this solution in place, the business no longer has to wonder if its critical project data is safe. It knows.