Case Study: Building a Simple, Secure, Future-Ready Technology Foundation for a Growing Trades Business
Overview
Artisan Paving is a successful Christchurch-based civil and commercial paving company. With a fast-growing workload and a small operational team, they needed technology that simply worked - without fuss, complexity, or ongoing management overhead.
Their existing setup, inherited over time, was spread across GoDaddy licences, outdated admin settings, mismatched accounts and systems that were difficult to maintain. They were paying more than they needed to, while getting less capability and less security than a modern business requires.
Binary Refinery helped Artisan create a clean, secure, reliable technology foundation - one that supports the way the business actually runs, without putting extra burden on a team that doesn’t want to be hands-on with IT.
The Challenge
Like many SMEs, Artisan Paving had:
tools selected reactively over time
subscriptions they no longer needed
accounts set up in ways that were hard to manage
an operations manager who understandably wanted technology to stay in the background
no dedicated IT function
Their Microsoft licences were managed through GoDaddy, costing more and offering less control. Their website hosting and domain management were also entangled in the same legacy setup, making updates and security difficult.
The business didn’t need a full IT department - they needed someone to simplify, untangle and guide them towards a cleaner, safer, more efficient setup.
Our Approach
Binary Refinery’s role was to bring clarity, structure and simplicity to a messy technology environment. The aim was not to overhaul the business - but to create a foundation the team could trust, and one that wouldn’t demand constant attention.
We focused on three principles:
1. Make everything easier to manage.
Consolidate accounts, remove duplication, simplify workflows.
2. Improve security and reliability.
Modern authentication, clean user accounts, proper backups and cloud storage.
3. Reduce cost and future complexity.
Clear subscriptions, direct licensing, no unnecessary tools.
This wasn’t about “more tech” - it was about better tech, and less of it.
What We Did
Modernised Microsoft Licensing & Accounts
We moved Artisan off GoDaddy’s restrictive licensing structure and into a clean, direct Microsoft tenancy - saving cost, improving security, and giving the business proper control over its own accounts.
Standardised and Simplified User Setups
We rebuilt user accounts properly, ensured emails, cloud files and devices were aligned, and set up a consistent environment across laptops and mobiles. The team now has one place for email, one place for files, one login - and it just works.
Reduced Subscription Overlap & Ongoing Costs
We identified and cancelled redundant subscriptions and hosting services. Everything is now streamlined, predictable and easier to manage.
Improved Security Without Added Friction
Multi-factor authentication, clean password management, and a structure that supports safe access without technical burden.
Cleaned Up Web Domains & Online Presence
We redirected old domains, removed legacy services, simplified DNS, and set up a clean landing page so Artisan has a stable, controlled online presence.
Introduced User-Friendly Password Management
Dashlane was set up for key users - giving them secure access to what they need without relying on memory or insecure storage.
The Result
Artisan now has a simple, modern, reliable technology foundation that supports the business without demanding attention.
The benefits:
Lower ongoing costs.
A cleaner, more secure Microsoft environment.
Straightforward systems that match the team’s skill level.
Consistency across devices and users.
No more legacy tech debt.
A setup that will scale as the business grows.
Most importantly, the team can get on with running the business - without worrying about IT.
The Value of a Strategic Partner
While this engagement included hands-on work, the real value was in the clarity, structure and direction provided. Artisan now has:
a future-ready environment,
a clear technology baseline,
governance and security best practice,
and a partner they can call when decisions arise.
The work here demonstrates Binary Refinery’s strength: helping SMEs create a technology foundation that is stable, simple and aligned with how the business actually operates.
