upGrad builds a future-ready learning ecosystem with Microsoft

upGrad aimed to build an integrated IT ecosystem to transform its learning ecosystem. It decided to transition from a startup-oriented infrastructure to an enterprise-grade, unified platform to achieve its objectives of scalability and security.

upGrad chose Microsoft for its capability to provide a unified, scalable, and security-driven platform that would enable it to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The organization implemented Microsoft 365 A5 and Microsoft 365 Copilot.

The Microsoft solution has improved the user experience for 4,000+ active users, fostering a more interactive learning environment. With AI-powered automation, upGrad has optimized IT operations and internal workflows, boosting productivity.

“As a fast-growing enterprise, our priority is to build an integrated IT ecosystem that optimizes costs while achieving economies of scale. After a thorough evaluation, we chose Microsoft for its capability to provide a unified, scalable, and security-driven platform that aligns perfectly with our business needs.”

Gajanan Toraskar, Technical Lead- Infra and Infosec, upGrad

upGrad, South Asia’s leading online higher education platform, was founded in 2015 with a mission to drive career success by making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. As one of the few fully integrated lifelong learning edtech companies, upGrad empowers working professionals to upskill without disrupting their careers. With a presence in over 100 countries, partnerships with 300+ universities, and collaborations with 1,000+ enterprises, upGrad has built a global learner community of over 3 million.

Aiming to unify the IT ecosystem and enhance cybersecurity

As upGrad’s learner base grew rapidly, the reliance on multiple tools led to fragmented learning experiences and operational complexities. Coordinating with various providers while ensuring seamless support was becoming increasingly challenging. To address this, upGrad sought a mature, scalable solution that could unify various functionalities, streamline administration and enhance efficiency. Additionally, with cybersecurity and data privacy being top priorities, the platform needed enterprise-grade security and greater control over its IT infrastructure.

upGrad aimed to transition from a startup-oriented infrastructure to an enterprise-grade, secure platform to support its growth, security, and scalability needs. To achieve this, upGrad partnered with Crayon, a global Microsoft partner.

Gajanan Toraskar, Technical Lead- Infra and Infosec, upGrad, shares, "As a fast-growing enterprise, our priority is to build an integrated IT ecosystem that optimizes costs while achieving economies of scale. After a thorough evaluation, we chose Microsoft for its capability to provide a unified, scalable, and security-driven platform that aligns perfectly with our business needs."

Partnering with Crayon, a global Microsoft partner, upGrad initially implemented Microsoft 365 A3 before upgrading to Microsoft 365 A5 to better meet its evolving requirements. The solution also included Microsoft 365 Copilot. The deployment was seamless and took three months to complete.

Enhanced collaboration, security, and learner experience

upGrad’s adoption of Microsoft’s solutions has delivered significant benefits across collaboration, security, and operational efficiency.

Seamless collaboration: By leveraging Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel—along with education-specific versions of Microsoft Teams—upGrad has enhanced instructional practices and streamlined communication across internal teams. These tools have also strengthened engagement between students, educators, and administrators, fostering a more interactive learning environment.

Superior learning experiences: With 4,000 active users and a vision to skill 3 million learners in AI, upGrad now offers Microsoft Copilot to students enrolled in advanced AI courses. This integration enhances student productivity and delivers immersive, hands-on learning experiences.

Advanced security capabilities: Microsoft Defender for Office 365, included in Microsoft 365 A5, has significantly bolstered cybersecurity by providing integrated protection for email and collaboration tools. It safeguards sensitive data while ensuring robust identity protection and security.

Simplified App and device management: With Microsoft Intune, upGrad has adopted a secure and unified IT administration approach, enabling seamless control over mobile devices, desktops, and virtual environments. The implementation of Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies across email, chat, and cloud storage has further strengthened data security, preventing unauthorized sharing of sensitive information. Additionally, upGrad has enabled secure access from any device, ensuring flexibility without compromising security.

Intelligent operations and enhanced efficiency: upGrad has embraced AI-powered automation to optimize IT operations and internal workflows. By integrating GitHub Copilot, the enterprise has improved coding efficiency, while Microsoft Copilot has enhanced ticket resolution for its 50-member IT support team, which handles 70 tickets daily. Additionally, upGrad has implemented a fully automated solution for onboarding partners and vendors using Microsoft Power Automate. This one-click process has streamlined operations, saving valuable time and allowing teams to focus on strategic initiatives.

Ashok Kumar, Consultant- Infra and Infosec, upGrad, says, "With the Microsoft solution, we have transformed our learning ecosystem, enhancing collaboration, security, and productivity across the organization. The integration of advanced tools has streamlined operations and improved user experience for internal users, students, and external faculty members".

“With the Microsoft solution, we have transformed our learning ecosystem, enhancing collaboration, security, and productivity across the organization. The integration of advanced tools has streamlined operations and improved user experience for internal users, students, and external faculty members”

Ashok Kumar, Consultant, Infra and Infosec, upGrad

Upgrading for the future with autonomous systems and advanced analytics

upGrad is continuously exploring innovative ways to leverage Microsoft solutions to enhance efficiency and drive business growth. As part of this strategy, it plans to fully migrate to the Microsoft environment by August, unlocking the full potential of its suite of products. With vast amounts of data generated through customer support tools, upGrad aims to harness advanced analytics for deeper insights into sales and lead generation.

Handling nearly 5 million calls per month, upGrad is also focused on implementing automated quality control to enhance customer service and optimize business outcomes.

Raj Dogra, CIO, upGrad, shares, "Our aim is to create a smarter, data-driven environment to enhance learner experiences and operational excellence. We are automating procurement and vendor management, adding customizable SLA alerts, and optimizing email management. We plan to integrate Copilot and autonomy in operations for more insightful decision-making and long-term growth."

Crayon is working with upGrad to deploy Microsoft 365 under Microsoft’s End Customer Investment Funds (ECIF) program. Additionally, Crayon facilitated seamless cloud migration through the Azure Migration and Modernization Program (AMMP). It has also supported the assessment and implementation of large language models (LLM) on Azure. The team from Crayon collaborated with upGrad to manage the Cybersecurity Investment (CSI) initiative and conducted both pre-sales and post-sales workshops on Microsoft 365 Copilot, accelerating upGrad’s adoption of AI-powered productivity tools.

"Our aim is to create a smarter, data-driven environment to enhance learner experiences and operational excellence. We are automating procurement and vendor management, adding customizable SLA alerts, and optimizing email management. We plan to integrate Copilot and autonomy in operations for more insightful decision-making and long-term growth”

Raj Dogra, CIO, upGrad