BarentsKrans, a leading Dutch law firm, is taking a decisive step toward a fully cloud-based IT infrastructure. With approximately 160 users relying on iManage daily, they needed a document management solution that would align with their Cloud-first strategy. Their long-term vision is to transition all core systems to SaaS within the next two years. By moving to iManage Cloud with the support of IRIS, they have eliminated the need for on-premises infrastructure management while enhancing security, performance, and compliance.
THE GOAL
A Seamless Migration with Minimal Disruption
BarentsKrans aimed to migrate to iManage Cloud with as little disruption as possible for their end users. The transition had to be smooth, ensuring that performance remained the same, or improved, compared to their on-premises environment. Additionally, eliminating the need for on-premises updates, upgrades, and maintenance was a key driver in this transformation.
As Artificial Intelligence becomes more important in legal technology, BarentsKrans saw the migration as a chance to not only simplify the management of security and compliance policies, which were much harder to handle on-premises, but also to explore the future AI capabilities that iManage offers.
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PLANNING FOR SUCCESS
Strong Preparation Leads to a Smooth Transition
Before the migration, BarentsKrans dedicated six months to a thorough Cloud assessment, carefully mapping out their iManage environment. Their technical team ensured that all database and infrastructure preparations were completed in advance, setting the stage for a seamless transition.
This structured approach paid off. When the migration project officially started, the entire process was completed within six months, a notable achievement in IT projects of this scale.
PARTNERSHIP WITH IRIS
Trusted Expertise for a Confident Move
Having worked with IRIS as their iManage on-premises partner, BarentsKrans did not consider alternative providers for the Cloud migration. IRIS’s deep understanding of their environment made the collaboration efficient and effective. With clear communication and proactive support, IRIS helped BarentsKrans execute the migration without delays.
“Migrating to the Cloud is a significant step for any law firm. The fact that BarentsKrans experienced a seamless transition, with no disruptions to their workflow, demonstrates the power of thorough preparation and strong collaboration. At IRIS, we are proud to have supported them in this journey and look forward to helping them maximize the benefits of iManage Cloud in the years ahead.”
A Flawless Go-Live Migration Experience
One of the most remarkable outcomes of the migration was that end users barely noticed it. There were no complaints, no disruptions, just a seamless transition from on-premises to the Cloud. Since BarentsKrans was already using the latest version of iManage on-premises, the only visible change was the location of their data. For users, however, the experience remained identical, reinforcing the success of the migration.
While the migration was smooth, there were minor post-migration challenges related to permissions and document refiling. With IRIS and iManage working together, these issues were fully resolved within three weeks, ensuring that everything functioned optimally in the Cloud.
“In my career since 1998, IT projects almost always take longer than planned. But this one? We nailed it – on time, no delays. That alone makes it one of the best projects I’ve ever been part of. I am proud of this joint achievement.”
Key Outcomes and Business Benefits
- Eliminated on-premises infrastructure – No need for hardware maintenance, updates, or upgrades.
- Optimized performance – System performance met or exceeded expectations.
- Minimal disruption – Users experienced no significant change in their daily workflows.
- Simplified security and compliance – Easier management of policies compared to an on-premises setup.
- Reliable partnership – Continued trust in IRIS as a strategic technology partner.
LOOKING AHEAD
Expanding iManage with AI and Microsoft Teams Integration
With the iManage Cloud migration successfully completed, BarentsKrans is now looking ahead. Their future roadmap includes leveraging Artificial Intelligence for document management and exploring Records Management (archiving) solutions. Additionally, they are considering a deeper integration between iManage and Microsoft Teams to further streamline collaboration.
By embracing iManage Cloud, BarentsKrans has positioned itself for long-term success, ensuring its IT landscape remains modern, secure, and scalable. With IRIS as a trusted partner, they are well-equipped to continue optimizing their digital workplace.
About IRIS
IRIS is a trusted provider of information management solutions with over 25 years of experience across EMEA. As part of Canon IMS, IRIS delivers strategic consulting, advanced software solutions, integrations, and technical support for industries such as legal, finance, and enterprise sectors. Our expertise spans document digitization, content management, and business process automation, powered by leading partners like iManage, Docusign, and TIQ Time.
About iManage
iManage is a leader in knowledge management, providing AI-powered, secure solutions that enable professionals to work smarter. Its cloud-based platform integrates data, systems, and teams, offering seamless document and email management for over a million users worldwide.
