When businesses make major operational changes, technology can present unique obstacles.
That was the case for the American Fence Association (AFA), the largest professional fence and railing association in the industry. When AFA decided to transition from an externally managed organization to a fully self-managed operation, it needed to move crucial technology systems into its own environment without disrupting employees, members or day-to-day operations.
To make that happen without missing a beat, AFA decided to partner with Frontline Apps.
Through careful planning, expert guidance and strong project management, Frontline Apps helped AFA successfully migrate to its own Microsoft 365 environment while creating a stronger foundation for future growth.
The Challenge: Building a New Technology Foundation
AFA’s operations were originally supported through an outside management company. When the organization decided to bring operations in-house, it needed to establish its own technology infrastructure and gain control over the systems that supported employees and members.
To accomplish this, the company needed to:
- Create a new Microsoft 365 Business Premium environment
- Migrate employee accounts and email history
- Preserve archived communications
- Move shared files and documents
- Transition website domains and related systems
- Maintain business continuity throughout the process
Like many businesses facing a major transition, AFA required more than technical expertise. It needed a partner that could coordinate multiple stakeholders, manage a complex project and simplify technical decisions for leadership.
Why AFA Chose Frontline Apps
AFA leadership was already familiar with Frontline Apps founder Terry Brown and trusted his experience with Microsoft technologies and organizational transitions.
As discussions progressed, it became clear that Frontline Apps offered exactly what AFA needed, including deep Microsoft 365 expertise and a collaborative, responsive approach.
Rather than managing the migration internally or coordinating multiple vendors, AFA chose Frontline Apps as its implementation partner.
Planning First, Migrating Second
Extensive planning took place before any systems were moved to ensure project success.
Frontline Apps collaborated with AFA leadership to understand existing systems, priorities and dependencies. The team also coordinated with the outgoing management company’s IT department to ensure everyone was on the same page.
Together, they developed a roadmap that outlined what needed to be migrated, who was responsible for each task, timelines, risk mitigation strategies and communication plans.
A Smooth Transition with Minimal Disruption
AFA’s primary goal was to keep everything running as usual. Frontline Apps carefully managed every stage of the migration to make that possible.
Creating a Dedicated Microsoft Environment
The first step was building a new Microsoft 365 Business Premium tenant exclusively for AFA.
This gave the association full ownership and administrative control over its technology environment moving forward. Instead of relying on a third-party structure, AFA now had a platform designed specifically for its needs.
Migrating Email and Employee Accounts
Frontline Apps migrated employee accounts while preserving historical communications and archived data. Employees retained access to the information they relied on every day, helping maintain productivity throughout the transition.
Moving Files and Shared Resources
Shared documents and internal resources also needed to be transferred securely. Frontline Apps helped organize and migrate these assets to the new environment, ensuring employees could continue to access important files without disruption.
Coordinating Domains and Connected Systems
The project also involved website domains and other essential systems connected to AFA’s operations. By coordinating all the moving pieces and carefully managing dependencies, Frontline Apps helped prevent downtime and maintain continuity throughout the migration.
Making Technology Easier to Understand
Technology projects can quickly become overwhelming when discussions are filled with technical jargon and complicated explanations.
AFA appreciated Frontline Apps’ ability to simplify complex concepts. Rather than focusing on technical terminology, Terry explained decisions in clear and simple business terms, helping leadership understand what was happening, why it mattered and what needed to happen next.
Strong Project Management Throughout the Process
Successful technology projects require organization, accountability and communication.
Throughout the engagement, Frontline Apps provided transparent follow-up communication after meetings, outlining:
- Action items for Frontline Apps and AFA
- Upcoming milestones
- Required decisions
- Next steps
Terry’s structured approach helped keep everyone aligned and ensured the project remained on schedule.
Unlocking More Value from Microsoft 365
Once AFA’s new Microsoft environment was in place, Frontline Apps also helped the organization leverage additional tools built into Microsoft 365, including:
Microsoft Teams Phone
AFA gained a more integrated communication solution that supports collaboration across the organization.
Microsoft Loop
AFA’s marketing team began using Microsoft Loop to manage weekly meeting agendas and collaborative planning. Instead of relying on static documents, team members can contribute updates and track progress in shared workspaces.
Microsoft Planner
Frontline Apps also introduced Microsoft Planner to help teams organize projects, assign responsibilities and improve visibility across tasks.
Together, these tools are helping AFA boost collaboration, streamline workflows and create more efficient processes.
An Effortless Tech Transition
By partnering with Frontline Apps, AFA successfully transitioned from an externally managed organization to a self-managed operation with confidence.
The transition happened so smoothly that members and external stakeholders were largely unaware of the significant changes taking place behind the scenes.
“We were thrilled with the service that we received. The whole goal of this transition was for our members and external clients not to know anything was happening. With Frontline Apps’ support, we were able to achieve that.”
Cristina Rodriguez, CAE, IOM
Deputy Executive Director
American Fence Association
For AFA, the project wasn’t simply about migrating technology. It was about creating a modern, independent technology environment that supports the organization’s mission today while preparing it for future growth. And with Frontline Apps as a partner, that transition happened seamlessly.
