Empowering Education through Digital Innovation

Case Study

Empowering Education through
Digital Innovation

The Customer

And Their Challenge

K12 Inc., a pioneering for-profit education company known for its innovative online schooling and curricula, encountered a significant challenge as their SharePoint 2013 system approached its end of life. With a steadfast commitment to delivering high-quality education, K12 recognized the critical need to transition to a modern, supported platform to maintain seamless operations. They also sought to improve accessibility for homeschooling, particularly on tablets, which required a mobile-friendly solution.

To address these needs, K12 enlisted the expertise of ¡solutions. The primary objectives were clear: conduct a thorough assessment of the existing SharePoint environment, manage the migration to SharePoint 2019, and develop a new, dynamic Intranet portal. This complex project involved configuring Entra ID (Formerly Active Directory) for a smooth user transition, overcoming migration challenges from SharePoint 2013 to Office 365, and designing a robust taxonomy and architecture for the new solution. isolutions worked in close collaboration with K12s IT team, not only restructuring the data architecture but also revitalizing the Intranet portal’s branding with a modern touch.

The Solution

SharePoint Migration and Portal Modernization

Before embarking on the migration, i3solutions meticulously prepared by conducting a series of strategic steps to ensure a smooth and successful transition. First, the team performed an in-depth discovery and assessment of K12’s existing SharePoint 2013 environment, identifying potential challenges and key areas for improvement. This involved a thorough analysis of the current data structures, user permissions, and content organization. i3solutions then collaborated closely with K12’s IT team to establish a comprehensive migration plan, outlining the necessary technical configurations, data clean-up processes, and security protocols. They also developed a detailed timeline, incorporating key milestones to monitor progress and address any issues promptly. By laying this solid groundwork, i3solutions set the stage for a seamless migration to SharePoint 2019, ensuring that K12’s operations would continue without disruption.

i3solutions undertook a comprehensive overhaul of K12’s Intranet portal, enhancing both its functionality and visual appeal. By implementing a sleek, modern design rooted in the latest Ul/UX principles, the portal became significantly more user-friendly, an essential improvement given K12’s diverse audience. The use of custom Bootstrap, JQuery, and JavaScript further elevated the user experience, particularly for mobile users, aligning the platform with the rapidly evolving digital education landscape.

Collaboration with K12’s internal IT team was key to executing a meticulous data clean-up process, which was crucial for ensuring a smooth transition of permissions, users, and data. This proactive approach minimized the risk of orphan users post-migration, addressing a common but often overlooked security concern. Throughout the migration, i3solutions prioritized data security, demonstrating foresight and diligence.

A critical component of the project was the strategic engagement with end users during detailed discovery sessions. This collaborative approach yielded valuable insights that enabled i3solutions to refine data structures, enhance information organization, and address specific needs, such as improving accessibility for homeschooling. To achieve this, isolutions focused on optimizing the platform for tablet use, creating a mobile-friendly solution that catered to K12’s increasingly mobile user base. The result was a more efficient and accessible system, empowering users to navigate and retrieve data with greater ease. By adhering to best practices in the software lifecycle and incorporating the latest technical trends, i3solutions ensured the project’s overall success.

Technologies

Used in the Solution

Office 365 provides K12 with a modern, cloud- based platform that significantly enhances their operations. The scalable and flexible infrastructure is perfectly suited to their growing needs. The platform’s comprehensive suite of tools improves collaboration and communication across the organization, streamlining workflows and increasing efficiency. The transition to Office 365 not only modernizes K12’s IT environment but also positions them to easily adopt future innovations within the Office 365 ecosystem, empowering them to better support their online schooling and curricula.

To facilitate the smooth transition of users during the migration process, isolutions focused on configuring Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Active Directory). This directory service plays a central role in managing and authenticating network resources. By configuring Entra ID, isolutions ensured a seamless transfer of user accounts, permissions, and other critical data from the existing on-premise SharePoint 2013 to the new SharePoint 2019. This meticulous configuration was crucial in maintaining user access, data integrity, and security throughout the migration.

Bootstrap, a powerful front-end framework, was custom-tailored by isolutions to revamp the design of K12’s Intranet portal. Bootstrap provides a responsive grid system and pre-designed components, ensuring a consistent and visually appealing layout across various devices. ¡solutions leveraged the flexibility of Bootstrap to create a sleek and modern design, crucial for a user-friendly interface. This customization not only enhances the portal’s aesthetics but also ensures optimal performance on mobile devices, catering to the needs of homeschooling users accessing the portal on tablets.

JavaScript, a fundamental scripting language for web development, was employed by isolutions to add advanced features and interactivity to the Intranet portal. JavaScript’s versatility allowed for the creation of dynamic content, real-time updates, and improved user engagement. ¡solutions strategically integrated JavaScript to address specific requirements identified during the discovery phase. This included interactive elements that not only enriched the user experience but also contributed to the overall modernization of the portal.

Query, a fast and lightweight JavaScript library, was instrumental in adding dynamic and interactive elements to the Intranet portal. i3solutions utilized Query to streamline the user interface, making it more intuitive and responsive, providing users with a seamless and enjoyable experience. This technology plays a crucial role in achieving the goal of creating a user-friendly environment, especially for end-users accessing the portal on different devices.

Measurable Benefits
and Business Impact

Enhanced User Experience and Accessibility

i3solutions’ work significantly enhanced the user experience and accessibility of K12’s Intranet portal. The updated, modern design and user-focused features make the portal more engaging and easier to navigate. Additionally, the mobile-friendly approach ensures that students and educators can seamlessly access resources and participate in homeschooling activities, aligning with the evolving needs of the education sector.

Data Security and Risk Mitigation

i3solutions played a crucial role in safeguarding K12’s data security and mitigating risks associated with post- migration vulnerabilities. Through a meticulous data clean-up process, potential vulnerabilities were identified and addressed, reducing the likelihood of data breaches. This proactive approach not only ensures the security of sensitive information but also instills confidence among stakeholders regarding the integrity of the educational platform.

Streamlined Data Management and Efficiency

By strategically engaging with end users, i3solutions streamlined data structures and enhanced efficiency in information retrieval within K12’s educational environment. This collaboration pinpointed critical data management challenges and led to the implementation of targeted solutions to address them. As a result, educators and students experience improved workflows and save valuable time, ultimately enhancing productivity in educational settings where time is of the essence.

Future Scalability and Adaptability

i3solutions demonstrated a commitment to future scalability and adaptability by ensuring that 12’s intranet portal embraces modern technologies and best practices. By integrating the latest technical trends into the portal’s architecture, a solid foundation was laid for future enhancements and expansions. This approach empowers K12 to remain agile and responsive to changing educational needs, positioning them at the forefront of digital education now and in the future.