How TDM Group Helped Sanderson Enhance Global
Recruitment Operations Through Microsoft 365 Migration
Company profile
Sanderson is a global recruitment and talent solutions company with more than 40 years of experience. Operating across the UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia, and Australia, it delivers services ranging from permanent and contract hires to executive search and fully outsourced recruitment.
Its clients include start-ups and FTSE 100 organisations that value Sanderson’s long-term, partnership-driven approach. The business focuses on collaboration, reliability, and simplicity to provide flexible solutions that align with each clients’ goals.
The Challenge
Outdated Infrastructure and Time Zone Barriers
Sanderson’s ambition is fuelled by a growth strategy that includes the acquisition of global recruitment firms, including iKas – a strategic move that presented challenges when planning how to align and integrate the inherited IT infrastructure.
The existing iKas environment depended heavily on physical servers located in London and Hong Kong, creating a single point of failure. Teams in Singapore and Hong Kong experienced slow file access and latency amid reliance on VPN connections and on-premise networks – hindering consultant performance, placement speed, and client experience.
With IT support based in the UK, the time difference restricted coverage for the Asia offices, leaving them without prompt assistance and increasing operational risk.
For a recruitment business where real-time access to candidate data and communication tools is essential, these challenges jeopardised consultant efficiency and risked delays across its operations.
The Solution
Migration to Microsoft 365
TDM Group worked with Sanderson to plan and deliver a full migration to Microsoft 365, allowing the new Asia business to operate independently while maintaining essential connections to the UK.
A Microsoft 365 tenant was created for Sanderson Asia. All user accounts, mailboxes, and files were moved from legacy servers to the cloud using SharePoint and OneDrive. This shift removed reliance on the London servers and VPNs, improving IT performance and data accessibility for users in Singapore and Hong Kong – enhancing collaboration across regions and reducing time-to-hire.
The project followed a structured, risk-aware process that prioritised communication and user experience. Thorough testing and careful scheduling ensured data integrity and minimised downtime, allowing consultants to focus on supporting clients and placing candidates. When an internal sales application was found to depend on the legacy servers, TDM Group collaborated with the third-party suppliers to migrate and reconfigure it, ensuring continuity.
Post-migration, all user devices were rebuilt and enrolled into Microsoft Intune with Entra ID, enabling secure, remote management across the entire Asia operation. This allows new hires to be onboarded quicker, with devices configured, secured, and ready to use in a fraction of the time. With services fully migrated to the cloud, the final on-premise server in Hong Kong was safely decommissioned.
TDM Group’s presence in the Asia region and deep familiarity with the iKas environment allowed them to deliver the project efficiently and support users through the transition. The result: a modern, cloud-based environment that’s ready to support Sanderson’s continued growth and enable a more efficient hiring process – from faster onboarding to uninterrupted access to candidate data.
Underpinned by M-BiTS
Through their Managed Business IT Services (M-BiTS) approach, TDM Group ensured the migration strategy was fully aligned with Sanderson’s business objectives. This holistic model facilitated a seamless transition with minimal disruption, enhanced collaboration across regions, and provided a scalable foundation for future growth.
TDM Group were more than just an IT support provider. Their M-BiTS offering translated into a strategic partnership. They were clearly well-practised at it. Our dedicated business manager, Chris, took over the management of the project, and it all finished on time. Nothing was escalated to me during the process.
Mark Alford, Director of Technology, Sanderson
The Results
Greater Reliability, Agility, and Collaboration
The move to Microsoft 365 has given Sanderson a scalable and reliable IT environment that’s elevated the recruitment process across regions amid several key operational benefits:
Standardisation & Scalability
Sanderson Asia now runs on a unified cloud platform that delivers consistent and secure services across the business. The environment can scale easily as new offices or teams are added. This has empowered consultants with consistent, secure tools and streamlined recruitment workflows, enabling stronger placement outcomes as the business evolves.
Improved Reliability & Responsiveness
By removing dependency on legacy servers and VPNs, users experience faster performance and fewer disruptions. Moreover, local TDM Group support in Asia provides timely assistance without time zone delays. This means real-time access to candidate data, fewer delays during critical searches, and smoother stakeholder communication – enabling faster, more responsive placements.
Cost-Effective Flexibility
Microsoft 365 licensing can be adjusted based on staff numbers and business needs, keeping costs efficient while maintaining full support. This ensures consultants are always equipped with the tools they need to communicate with clients, manage candidates, and collaborate effectively.
Better Collaboration & Access
SharePoint and OneDrive provide centralised access to shared resources, improving visibility for leaders and teams in the UK and Asia. With client files and candidate records available instantly from anywhere, consultants speed up placements and leaders make better strategic decisions. Teams and Outlook facilitate seamless communication and collaboration across regions.
Business Continuity & Security
Migrating critical systems to the cloud secures key business data and ensures uninterrupted service, allowing consultants to operate without disruption and maintain trust with candidates and clients.
A Partnership Focused on Business Outcomes
From planning to post-launch support, what set this project apart was the strong partnership between TDM Group and Sanderson’s leadership. Rather than treating it as a technical migration, both teams approached it as a chance to deliver business outcomes.
I go to TDM Group because I know it’s going to get managed as well as I would manage it myself. It’s about having a business partner you can rely on to be doing the right thing for the organisation and is responsive.
Mark Alford, Director of Technology, Sanderson
The Future
A Repeatable Model for Expansion
As Sanderson continues to grow through new acquisitions, its partnership with TDM Group remains key. The successful Microsoft 365 migration has created a repeatable model for integrating new businesses into a secure, scalable environment. With this foundation, the company can now enter new markets and onboard clients quickly, supported by an infrastructure that scales with its strategy.
Business Results Delivered:
- Faster placement cycles with instant access to candidate/client data
- Eliminated IT bottlenecks that cost consultants hours per week
- Asia consultants fully supported without UK time zone delays
- Reduced operational risk by removing all local servers
- Future-proof digital foundation for rapid acquisition-driven growth