Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Empowering a Global Education Body with Modern, Secure, and Scalable IT Solutions
The Organisation
Client: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Industry: Education
Services: Digital Transformation
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), a leading global professional body serving management accountants with members and students across 179 countries, partnered with Altiatech to transform its technology ecosystem.
As a digitally connected institution supporting global certification programmes and professional development, CIMA required a strategic technology partner capable of delivering structured innovation and proactive service delivery to support its worldwide user base and hybrid workforce.
The Challenge
CIMA's legacy infrastructure was no longer aligned with the operational demands of a globally distributed professional institution. The organisation needed comprehensive modernisation to reduce operational risk, standardise user experience, and strengthen governance across security, collaboration, and support functions.
Critical challenges included:
- Multiple disconnected collaboration platforms creating operational silos
- Inconsistent endpoint management across global locations
- Reactive rather than proactive support and monitoring capabilities
- Ageing backup and audiovisual infrastructure
- Absence of scalable frameworks for global project delivery and change management
Our Approach
Altiatech delivered a comprehensive transformation programme encompassing managed services, cloud modernisation, security enhancement, endpoint standardisation, and flexible consultancy support through the innovative altiaPoints framework. This holistic approach ensured seamless integration across all technology domains whilst maintaining business continuity.
Key Solutions Delivered:
Managed Services Platform: Implemented 24/7 monitoring, third-line escalation support, proactive patching schedules, asset lifecycle oversight, and strategic technology guidance.
Cloud Licensing Optimisation: Transitioned to modern CSP billing model with licence optimisation and comprehensive Microsoft 365 cost management.
Enhanced Security Framework: Deployed Microsoft Defender and BitDefender GravityZone across global user base with integrated Entra ID and conditional access policies.
Business Continuity Solutions: Modernised backup infrastructure using Veeam technology and upgraded UPS systems for enhanced resilience.
Global Collaboration Platform: Restructured SharePoint and Teams environments for seamless global collaboration with comprehensive migration support from legacy systems.
Hybrid Working Technology: Upgraded audiovisual infrastructure for boardrooms and global training environments to support hybrid working models.
Flexible Consultancy Framework: Implemented altiaPoints system enabling ad hoc project delivery, training programmes, endpoint support, and infrastructure assessments.
Connectivity Infrastructure: Managed telephony migration, implemented Excell call plans, and enhanced branch connectivity for regional offices.
The Results
The transformation established a unified and secure M365 tenant spanning all departments and regions, significantly reducing IT operational overhead whilst improving response and resolution times.
CIMA achieved standardised audiovisual and hybrid working capabilities, globally consistent endpoint protection, and robust backup infrastructure.
The altiaPoints framework provided clear project governance and budget transparency, whilst the comprehensive modernisation enhanced digital experiences for members and staff worldwide.
Strategic Partnership
Altiatech continues supporting CIMA with innovation advisory services, compliance alignment initiatives, and strategic planning around Azure, Entra ID, and artificial intelligence integration.
This ongoing partnership focuses on building a future-ready technology platform that advances CIMA's mission of empowering management accounting professionals globally.
