Agenda Item
c. BlueAlly Cloud Operations, Security, and Microsoft Modernization Services (Not to Exceed $784,422.41)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the purchase of cloud operations, cybersecurity, technical support, cloud modernization, and Microsoft platform optimization services from BlueAlly for an amount not to exceed $784,422.41.
Why: The purpose of this agenda item is to support the Division of Information and Instructional Technology (DIIT) in maintaining, securing, and modernizing the District's cloud-based technology environment. The District relies on Microsoft Azure cloud services and Microsoft 365 applications to support instructional programs, communication, collaboration, data storage, cybersecurity, identity management, and business operations. These services are used daily by students, teachers, administrators, and staff and have become essential to the delivery of educational and operational services across the District.
This request includes the District's annual Microsoft Azure cloud consumption costs, managed Microsoft 365 security and support services, cloud environment assessments, Microsoft Copilot readiness planning, and SharePoint modernization services. Together, these services help ensure that cloud resources remain secure, reliable, efficient, and aligned with the District's long-term technology strategy while reducing cybersecurity risks, improving operational efficiency, and supporting future technology initiatives. Please note that this agenda item is intentionally written at a high level to provide transparency while maintaining necessary limitations that protect the District's security posture. Certain technical and operational details are not included in public-facing documentation to avoid creating unnecessary security risks.
Details: BlueAlly provides cloud operations, cybersecurity, technical support, and cloud modernization services for the District's Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 environments.
The services included in this request support both the operation of the District's cloud infrastructure and the protection, optimization, and modernization of the systems and data that reside within it.
Key Services Include:
Management and support of the District's Microsoft Azure cloud environment.
Monitoring and maintenance of cloud systems to ensure reliability, performance, and availability.
Security monitoring, threat detection, and incident response support.
Management of user accounts, identity services, and secure access to district technology resources.
Microsoft 365 security configuration, optimization, and compliance support.
Technical support and troubleshooting for Microsoft 365 services, including email, collaboration, file storage, and productivity platforms.
Ongoing cybersecurity reviews, security hardening, and recommendations to strengthen protection against evolving threats.
Assessment of the District's cloud environment to identify opportunities for improved security, governance, scalability, and operational efficiency.
Development of cloud strategy and modernization recommendations to support future technology initiatives.
Evaluation and readiness planning for Microsoft Copilot and emerging artificial intelligence technologies.
Review of permissions, data governance, and collaboration environments to support secure adoption of AI-powered productivity tools.
Modernization of the District's SharePoint environment to improve usability, collaboration capabilities, and long-term supportability.
Technical consulting and specialized expertise to support operational, security, and modernization initiatives.
In addition to managed services and modernization projects, this request includes Microsoft Azure cloud consumption. Azure provides the computing resources, storage, networking, security, backup, and application hosting capabilities that support many of the District's critical instructional and business systems. Rather than relying solely on physical servers and equipment located on-site, the District utilizes Azure to provide scalable, reliable, and secure technology services that can adapt to changing operational needs.
Financial impact: General Fund: 100.2800.530000.00011.7600.9990.0308.070.0000
Contact: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology, 678.676.1274
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
2026 Chronology: Blue Ally Managed Cloud and Security Services
The Division of Information and Instructional Technology (DIIT) seeks approval to continue
managed cloud and security services and to implement several strategic Microsoft cloud
modernization initiatives provided by Blue Ally. These services support the District's Microsoft
Azure and Microsoft 365 environments and help ensure that critical technology systems remain
secure, reliable, modernized, and available for students, teachers, and staff.
As the District continues to expand its use of cloud-based technologies, maintaining a secure
and stable technology environment has become increasingly important. Many of the
applications and services used daily by students and employees depend on Microsoft cloud
platforms to support instructional programs, communication tools, collaboration, identity
management, data storage, cybersecurity, and business operations. Blue Ally provides
specialized expertise to help the District manage, secure, optimize, and modernize these cloud
environments while also supporting future technology initiatives.
These services include ongoing Microsoft 365 security monitoring and support, Azure cloud
consumption, cloud architecture assessments, Microsoft Copilot readiness planning, and
modernization of the District's SharePoint environment. Collectively, these efforts help
strengthen cybersecurity protections, improve operational efficiency, enhance collaboration
capabilities, and support the District's long-term technology strategy.
Please note that this chronology is intentionally written at a high level to provide transparency
while maintaining necessary limitations that protect the District's security posture. Certain
technical and operational details are not included in public-facing documentation to avoid
creating unnecessary security risks.
Blue Ally AllyCare for Microsoft 365- Cost: $236,984
Blue Ally will provide managed Microsoft 365 security, monitoring, and support services to help
protect and maintain the District's Microsoft cloud environment. These services include
proactive security monitoring, breach detection, technical support, and ongoing optimization of
Microsoft 365 services.
Key Services Include:
● Microsoft 365 security monitoring and threat detection
● Security hardening and configuration management
● Identity protection and breach detection services
● Conditional Access, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and security policy management
● Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and retention policy support
● Monitoring of Microsoft Defender security tools
● Microsoft 365 technical support and troubleshooting
● Incident management and escalation services
● Support for Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Entra ID, Intune, and
Microsoft security platforms
● Quarterly security reviews and optimization recommendations
● Access to certified Microsoft engineers for technical assistance
Microsoft Azure Cloud Services- Cost: $472,963.41
The District utilizes Microsoft Azure cloud services to support technology operations across
schools and administrative offices. Azure provides computing resources, data storage,
networking, backup, application hosting, and security services that support critical instructional
and business systems throughout the District.
Key Services Include:
● Cloud computing and infrastructure services
● Data storage and backup services
● Application hosting and support
● Cloud networking services
● Disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities
● Security and monitoring services
● Scalable cloud resources to support changing operational needs
● Reduced reliance on on-premises hardware and infrastructure
Azure Assessment and Cloud Strategy Services- Cost: $30,300
Blue Ally will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the District's current Azure and
on-premises environments to evaluate cloud architecture, governance, security, and operational
effectiveness. The assessment will help identify opportunities to improve performance, security,
scalability, and cost efficiency while providing a roadmap for future cloud initiatives.
Key Services Include:
● Assessment of existing Azure resources and cloud infrastructure
● Review of on-premises servers, networking, storage, and identity systems
● Azure Well-Architected Framework review
● Cloud governance and operational maturity assessment
● Security and compliance review
● Network architecture and segmentation planning
● Migration readiness evaluation
● Cloud modernization roadmap development
● Future-state Azure architecture recommendations
● Executive-level planning and strategy documentation
Microsoft Copilot Readiness Assessment- Cost: $24,800
Blue Ally will evaluate the District's Microsoft 365 environment to determine readiness for
Microsoft Copilot and other artificial intelligence capabilities. The assessment will identify data
governance, security, permissions, and content management considerations necessary to safely
and effectively deploy AI-powered productivity tools.
Key Services Include:
● Microsoft Copilot readiness assessment
● Review of Microsoft 365 tenant configuration
● Assessment of SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive environments
● Review of permissions and data access controls
● Identification of oversharing and data governance risks
● Security and compliance evaluation
● Recommendations for AI readiness improvements
● Remediation planning for identified issues
SharePoint Classic to Modern Upgrade- Cost: $19,375
Blue Ally will modernize the District's SharePoint Online environment by migrating existing
classic SharePoint sites and subsites to the modern SharePoint experience. This initiative will
improve usability, collaboration capabilities, accessibility, and long-term supportability of the
District's intranet environment.
Key Services Include:
● Assessment of existing SharePoint sites and content
● Migration planning and requirements review
● Creation of modern SharePoint sites and subsites
● Modernization of pages and web components
● Migration of document libraries and lists
● Navigation and permissions reconfiguration
● Content validation and testing
● User experience improvements and modernization support
Procurement:
Pursuant to Board Policy DJE III.D.3.d, purchases may be made through contracts formally
solicited and obtained by governmental entities to achieve cost savings and administrative
efficiencies. Blue Ally services will be procured utilizing the GSA Multiple Award Schedule
(MAS) Contract GS-35F-016BA cooperative purchasing agreement.
Financial Impact:
Service Category 2025-26 Cost 2026-27 Cost
Microsoft Azure Cloud Consumption $534,200.00 $472,963.41
Managed Microsoft 365 Security & Support $148,100.00 $236,984.00
Services
Azure Environment Assessment & Cloud N/A $30,300.00
Strategy
Microsoft Copilot Readiness Assessment N/A $24,800.00
SharePoint Modernization Project N/A $19,375.00
Total $682,300 $784,422.41 Amount
Requested