A leading UK fibre broadband provider, with over 500 employees and a network spanning more than 1.5 million premises, transformed its HR operations by implementing iThink Connect Sync for Breathe HR. This integration with Microsoft 365 automated and streamlined the onboarding and offboarding of up to 30 sales staff per month during peak periods.

The Impact

The results were significant:

• Improved employee experience: New starters had everything ready on day one, boosting productivity.
• Stronger security posture: 78 previously active accounts, some dormant for up to 18 months, were identified and disabled.
• Enhanced operational efficiency: HR and IT teams could focus on strategic tasks rather than manual account management.
• Cost savings: Licence optimisation reduced unnecessary spend.
• Regulatory compliance: Automated processes ensured alignment with GDPR and other data protection standards.

---

The Challenge

Before adopting iThink Connect Sync, the company faced several critical issues:

• Manual and error-prone processes: HR relied on forms and emails to request account changes, leading to delays and mistakes.
• Security risks: Inconsistent procedures meant former employees could retain access to sensitive systems.
• Employee frustration: Delays in access setup caused dissatisfaction across HR, IT, and new starters.
• Compliance concerns: The lack of automation posed risks of data breaches and reputational damage.

The fast-paced nature of regional fibre rollout campaigns meant frequent staff changes, making these challenges even more pressing.

---

The Solution

iThink 365 deployed iThink Connect Sync for Breathe HR, a cloud-based integration with Microsoft 365, to automate user account management.

Key Features:

• Automated provisioning: New starters added in Breathe HR automatically receive Microsoft 365 accounts, licences, and permissions tailored to their role.
• Secure deprovisioning: Departing employees are promptly removed from systems, eliminating lingering access risks.
• Real-time updates: HR can update employee details, names, job titles, departments, in minutes.
• Licence optimisation: Unused licences are identified and removed, reducing IT costs.

Specific Improvements:

• Visibility and control: Full audit trails support compliance and security monitoring.
• HR empowerment: The HR team regained control over employee data and processes.
• Security uplift: Discovery and removal of 78 outdated accounts significantly reduced exposure.

---

Want to Know How We Can Support Your Business?

Here at iThink 365 our expert team helps organisations unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365, leveraging AI, Copilot extensibility, and custom agents to build intelligent, automated solutions. From streamlining workflows to eliminating repetitive tasks, we deliver automation that saves time, boosts productivity, and adds real business value.
Get in touch today to see how AI-powered support could work for you.

---