CASE STUDY
Dark Light Design
A Successful Merger Without IT Disruption
“If we had been left to our own devices, it would have been a lot of trial and error — and probably more harm than good.”
The Challenge
IT support during a merger requires careful planning, especially when a firm is already undergoing other major transitions. Dark Light Design, a Seattle-based architectural lighting firm, entered a period of significant change that included a merger, an office relocation, and continued modernization of its technology systems.
How Dark Light Design Navigated High-Risk Transitions Without Losing Momentum
Each transition introduced its own operational and security risks. A merger meant aligning systems, access controls, and data standards across organizations. An office relocation required rethinking infrastructure, connectivity, and endpoint management. Meanwhile, the ongoing shift to cloud-based systems added another layer of complexity. The firm could not afford disruption at any stage.
The IT risks were significant:
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No internal IT staff to manage large-scale transitions
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Two firms using different platforms (Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365)
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Mixed hardware environments (Mac and PC)
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A major file-system consolidation required under active project workloads
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High stakes around continuity, data integrity, and staff productivity
Leadership understood that trial-and-error was not an option. Missteps could have resulted in extended downtime, data loss, or prolonged disruption during an already sensitive business transition.
The Solution
Industry Experience Informed the Right Choices
EXP Technical was engaged before the merger was finalized, allowing IT planning to run in parallel with legal and operational milestones rather than reacting after the fact.
Working closely with Dark Light leadership, EXP:
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Mapped IT tasks to the merger timeline, identifying what could be done before and after formal close
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Designed and executed a secure file-system consolidation between Google and Microsoft environments
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Established clear cutover dates to prevent data conflicts during migration
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Advised on hardware standards, network performance, and cloud architecture
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Provided onsite support during the Seattle office move, including physical transport and setup of equipment
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Stabilized systems during vendor-related internet provisioning failures unrelated to EXP
Rather than focusing solely on execution, EXP helped Dark Light sequence decisions, avoid unnecessary work, and reduce risk during moments where mistakes are often irreversible.
EXP Technical brought deep experience supporting architecture, engineering, and construction firms. The primary consultant from EXP was able to recommend proven platforms and workflows that align with how design teams actually work.
The Results
Seamless System Consolidation
Stabilized Office Move
Smooth Growth
The Results
Dark Light Design Completes the Merger Without IT Disruption
Dark Light completed its expansion and relocation without the disruptions typically associated with mergers and office moves.
Key outcomes included:
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No data loss during file migration
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No extended outages during the office move
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Minimal onboarding delays for staff
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Successful consolidation of incompatible systems
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Improved standardization across devices and platforms
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Greater confidence in the firm’s ability to support future growth
Perhaps most importantly, leadership emerged from the transition with greater confidence.
“There wasn’t a dramatic moment. Things simply worked better,” Kerri Klingfus offered. “We felt more capable and better positioned for what’s ahead.”
Rather than absorbing IT risk internally, Dark Light was able to focus on client work, design excellence, and the long-term value of the expansion — knowing that technology decisions were being handled by someone who had navigated similar transitions before.
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