Architecture Firm IT Modernization and Cloud Migration, a Case Study
- Jun 11
- 4 min read
Case Study Overview: Rafael Viñoly Architects IT Transformation
When Rafael Viñoly Architects engaged Focus IT Group, the firm was managing aging infrastructure, rising technology costs and increasing complexity across its global operations. Legacy systems, disconnected technologies and overlapping software subscriptions were creating inefficiencies that made collaboration, security and long-term scalability more difficult.
Focus IT partnered with the firm to modernize its technology environment through infrastructure consolidation, cloud migration, cybersecurity enhancements and strategic IT planning. The result was a more secure, efficient and flexible cloud-first foundation that supports employees across multiple countries while reducing costs and simplifying operations.
Founded in 1983, Rafael Viñoly Architects is an internationally recognized architectural firm with offices in New York, London and Montevideo. Known for designing museums, healthcare facilities, performing arts centers, airports and large-scale urban developments, the firm depends on reliable technology to support collaboration across teams and continents.
The Challenge: Rising Costs, Legacy Systems and Operational Complexity
Viñoly was operating with aging infrastructure, limited centralized IT governance and a growing mix of technologies that had become increasingly difficult to manage. Staff relied on a combination of company and personal devices, communications platforms were inconsistent and redundant software subscriptions were driving up operational costs.
They also maintained a colocation facility that had become expensive to operate and difficult to justify as cloud technologies continued to evolve. Several business priorities emerged and helped shape the firm's IT modernization strategy:
Reduce infrastructure and operational costs
Improve cybersecurity and access management
Support remote and project-based work across global offices
Simplify communications and collaboration
Create a scalable foundation for future growth
These objectives would shape the modernization strategy that followed.
Critical Business Drivers for Viñoly
Focus IT worked with Viñoly to identify the technology, operational and business challenges having the greatest impact on the organization. Four priorities emerged that would guide the modernization strategy.
Cost Reduction & Efficiency
Security & Risk Management
Mobility & Collaboration
Scalability & Future Growth
The Focus IT Approach for Architecture Firm IT Modernization
Rather than applying isolated fixes, Focus IT developed a phased modernization strategy designed to address the firm's immediate challenges while creating a scalable foundation for future growth. The engagement focused on four key areas:
Infrastructure Consolidation & Cost Reduction: Focus IT evaluated the firm's existing technology stack, identifying opportunities to eliminate redundant systems, retire aging hardware and reduce unnecessary expenses. This included shutting down the colocation facility, renegotiating circuit contracts and consolidating overlapping software subscriptions.
Cloud Migration & Workforce Mobility: To better support a globally distributed workforce, Focus IT implemented a cloud-first strategy centered around Microsoft Teams and Egnyte. This enabled secure access to files, applications and communications for employees working across offices, project sites and continents.
Cybersecurity & Access Management: The team established a stronger security framework through Single Sign-On (SSO), Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR), email security protections, phishing prevention and employee cybersecurity awareness training.
Strategic IT Partnership: Beyond technology implementation, Focus IT provided ongoing guidance, regular assessments and proactive support to ensure systems continued to align with business needs as the firm evolved.
Results & Business Impact
The modernization initiative transformed Viñoly's technology environment into a streamlined, cloud-first platform that improved security, collaboration and operational efficiency while creating a stronger foundation for future growth.
Reduced IT Costs
By consolidating infrastructure, eliminating the colocation facility, retiring aging hardware and removing redundant software subscriptions, the firm significantly reduced ongoing technology expenses while simplifying management.
Enhanced Security
Focus IT implemented centralized identity management, endpoint protection, email security and cybersecurity awareness training, creating a stronger security posture across the organization.
Improved Collaboration & Communication
The migration to Microsoft Teams unified communications across offices and improved collaboration among employees working in New York, London and Montevideo. The replacement of the legacy phone system also resolved longstanding reliability issues.
Greater Flexibility for Global Teams
With Egnyte and cloud-based systems in place, employees gained secure access to files and resources from virtually anywhere, reducing dependence on legacy infrastructure and supporting the firm's increasingly mobile workforce.
A Scalable Foundation for Future Growth
Perhaps most importantly, the firm now has a technology environment that is easier to manage, more secure and better positioned to support future projects, clients and operational growth.
Client Testimonial
"The most valuable part of working with Focus IT has been the high-level view — the ability to rethink, simplify and streamline our systems in a way that helps us actually understand our own technology.
They're very quick and responsive, and having a team to lean on has allowed us to keep our focus where it belongs — on our work and our clients. For a firm like ours, where technology is integral to everything we do, that kind of partnership really matters."
— Stephanie Tsang, Partner
Final Thoughts
By partnering with Focus IT Group, Rafael Viñoly Architects gained more than updated technology. The firm now operates on a modern, cloud-first foundation that aligns technology with business objectives, supports a global workforce and provides the flexibility to adapt as the organization continues to evolve.
Ready to transform your IT infrastructure? Schedule your free consultation today.
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