The problem

FairPlay Sports Media is an AI-driven, technology-led media network and BetTech infrastructure provider. Built on the 25-year legacy of oddschecker (founded in 1999), the group operates globally at the intersection of high-intent sports audiences, premium publishers and betting operators.

By combining deep market expertise with technical proficiency, FairPlay Sports Media bridges the gap between sports content and sustainable monetisation.

Due to historical growth and acquisitions, they manage a highly complex IT environment spanning multiple legacy domains and associated companies, driving an urgent need for technical consolidation.

FairPlay Sports Media managed an intricate, multi-layered IT infrastructure spanning 27 individual domains across 15 related entities.

This multi-domain complexity led to extensive shadow IT, inefficient workflows, and a disjointed user experience.

Additionally, their existing Windows device management relied on Microsoft Intune, which required a robust replacement to achieve a modern zero-trust security paradigm.

Previous technology rollouts had suffered from a lack of user training, causing deep-seated user frustration, making proper change management just as critical as the technical implementation.

The solution

Cobry delivered an end-to-end migration from Microsoft 365 to a single Google Workspace domain for approximately 261 users.

The project migrated all email, calendars, contacts, and 1.7TB of SharePoint data using Movebot.

To resolve device management and security challenges, JumpCloud was integrated into the primary migration as a unified Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Identity Provider (IDP) solution, federating single sign-on (SSO) across the organisation.

Recognising the critical need for user adoption, Cobry implemented a rigorous change management strategy. This included establishing a "Champions" cohort of early adopters to test workflows, distributing pre-migration surveys, and offering deep-dive practical training.

The rollout was supported by on-site floor walks and a two-week hypercare period to ensure a seamless transition, including tailored sessions for Finance and Legal.

The outcome

The migration successfully consolidated FairPlay’s diverse workforce into a unified Google Workspace ecosystem, drastically simplifying IT administration and clearing away historical shadow IT.

By going "all in" on the Google stack and integrating JumpCloud, FairPlay achieved a streamlined single-sign-on experience and a robust zero-trust security model for device management.

Why our approach worked

A critical success factor was prioritising change management and end-user training equally with the technical data transfer.

Deploying a "Champions" early adopter program allowed the project team to surface and resolve complex workflows, particularly within Finance and Legal, prior to the bulk migration.

Integrating JumpCloud directly into the primary project timeline ensured a seamless identity transition without fragmented IT stages.

Furthermore, highly customised live training sessions, combined with face-to-face on-site "floor walks," drove immense user satisfaction and smooth adoption.

Customer testimonial

"Cobry bought highly specialised expertise, tooling and training to delivery a complex Microsoft migration with ease, their experience and training helped bring the whole business on our transformation journey delivering a seamless migration and happy end users!" - Matt Robinson, Chief Technology Officer, FairPlay Sports Media

How long does a Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace migration take?

It depends mostly on data volume, the number of domains involved and how much change management the organisation needs. A single-domain business with modest data can move relatively quickly, while a multi-domain estate like FairPlay’s needs more time for planning, testing workflows and training before the bulk migration.

Can you migrate SharePoint to Google Drive?

Yes. SharePoint sites and libraries can be moved into Google Drive and shared drives using a migration tool such as Movebot. The bigger job is usually deciding how SharePoint’s structure and permissions should map onto shared drives, so that people can find things once they’ve moved.

Will we lose email or calendar history when moving from Microsoft 365?

A properly planned migration brings across historical email, calendar entries and contacts, so users open Gmail and Google Calendar with their history already in place.

Can we use Google Workspace with more than one domain?

Yes. Google Workspace supports secondary domains and domain aliases within a single account. Organisations that have grown through acquisition often use this to bring several brands under one tenant while keeping the email addresses each business needs.

What is JumpCloud and how does it work with Google Workspace?

JumpCloud is a cloud directory platform that handles identity, single sign-on and device management in one place. Paired with Google Workspace, it lets IT manage user access and Windows, Mac and Linux devices without relying on Microsoft tools such as Intune or Active Directory.

Do we still need Microsoft Intune after moving to Google Workspace?

Not necessarily. Google Workspace has its own endpoint management, and platforms like JumpCloud can cover Windows device management that Intune previously handled. The right choice depends on your device mix and security requirements.

What does zero-trust security mean in practice?

Zero trust means no user or device is trusted automatically because it’s inside the company network. Every access request is checked against who the user is and whether their device meets security policy. Single sign-on through a central identity provider, combined with managed devices, is one of the most common ways to put this into place.

Is Google Workspace secure enough for regulated teams like Finance and Legal?

Google Workspace includes data loss prevention, retention controls through Google Vault, and granular sharing settings, which is why teams with strict compliance needs can work in it. Their specific workflows are worth testing before migration, which is what FairPlay’s Champions cohort did.

Can we keep working in Microsoft during the migration?

Yes. Migrations are usually staged so that email and files keep flowing until cutover, which means people carry on working normally while data moves in the background.