The Importance of a Strategic Microsoft 365 Migration
Microsoft 365 offers an effective solution for email and calendar management, able to synchronise with other products to enhance your business efficiency. However, migrating to Microsoft 365 – especially from legacy or external systems – can prove a challenge.
At CAB IT, we have an extensive history in managing and implementing successful Microsoft 365 migrations for clients both small and large. In this article, we’ll explain when you should migrate your accounts, what the different options for migration are, and the importance of a strategy behind it.
When Should You Migrate to Microsoft 365?
Migration to Microsoft 365 is a great move, especially if you’re using Microsoft products already. Relocating to the cloud offers a number of advantages such as increased security, global collaboration, and consistent feature updates, but does come with its challenges.
If you’re a new business, then you’re in luck – without established systems and processes, you can more easily set yourself up to use Microsoft 365. As you won’t yet have anything to migrate, you can start fresh with Microsoft Exchange, the 365 Cloud, Azure, and any number of other Microsoft programs to meet your business needs.
The real challenge comes for established businesses with practices and principles that might have a long history, and are embedded into the way your company operates. Lots of these processes are deeply rooted, with archaic software, clunky systems, and even legacy or physical assets that prevent them from being integrated easily.
So to answer the question, when is a Microsoft 365 migration needed? It is when your old systems can no longer offer the features or efficiency you need, and when the cost-value of the change reaches an acceptable level for your business. Essentially, if you’re not already using cloud services, now is the perfect time to begin your migration!
The Different Types of Microsoft 365 Migrations
Migration goes hand in hand with integrations – incorporating your existing systems that would be difficult, expensive, or impossible to move over. For the most part, however, Microsoft 365 migration is about setting up your existing accounts (such as for email or data storage) in a way that works better for your business.
Find out more about Microsoft 365 integrations >
There are several different types of migration that you can undergo:
Staged Migration
If you want to migrate your mailboxes to Microsoft 365 over time, staged migration might be the way to go. This method involves migrating your company mailboxes in batches, typically over the course of weeks or months.
Most other methods rely on you already having directories synchronised with Azure. However, you won’t always have this in place, especially with legacy systems like Exchange 2007-2013 which are no longer supported. In these cases, a batched migration with a staged setup can allow for a smoother process.
Hybrid Migration
For a feature-rich experience with enhanced administrative control, hybrid migration enables a smooth transition for moving your existing Exchange systems onto the cloud. This can be done during business downtime, meaning you won’t see any negative impact on your operations.
There are three main types of hybrid migration:
- Minimal Hybrid. This solution is best for large organisations, and can take several months to complete depending on your scale.
- Express Hybrid. If you’re a smaller business that currently uses Exchange 2010 or above, express hybrid migration offers fast transfer for your system in just a few weeks.
- Full Hybrid. The best option for large, complex setups, full hybrid migration helps you to get through your migration process by keeping other systems online, offboarding where needed to ensure a smooth transition.
Cutover Migration
Cutover migration is a rapid solution that can migrate all your mailboxes to Microsoft 365 in just a few days. This includes your organisation details, your user accounts, and your mail records. While a maximum of 2000 accounts can be transferred using this process, the recommended number is 150, as performance will suffer with greater numbers. This makes it a less viable solution for larger organisations, but great for small businesses.
PST-Based Migration
Personal storage table (PST) files can store key information like your calendar, contact details, and inbox. Commonly used by Microsoft programs, these files can help to collect and transfer your data. However, this method should be used with caution, as you don’t want to leave a digital paper trail that could result in data risks or compliance breaches.
IMAP Migration
IMAP migrations are based around the IMAP messaging system, using tools like the Exchange admin centre or Online PowerShell to aid in the transition. This involves migrating your mailboxes from non-Microsoft services (e.g. Google Mail), moving them on to Microsoft 365.
Able to support a limit of 500,000 objects up to 35MB each per mailbox, this is an effective solution if you’re looking to move to the Microsoft Cloud.
Third-Party Migration
You can also use tools from third parties to help your transfer process. While Microsoft do have internal solutions, these third-party tools can offer a unique approach that may be better for your individual circumstances.
In any case, talking to a third-party IT specialist can give you the insight needed to ensure your migration process goes smoothly, with the option to cut the stress and handle the migration process for you. Get in touch to find out more.
The Importance of Strategy Behind Your Microsoft 365 Migration
Having a strategy behind your Microsoft 365 migration is vital to ensuring your data is secure, your business can continue operating as normal, and that the end result is as effective as possible.
Not considering your options can lead to a poor project execution, and moving too much data at once – especially for large organisations – can cause errors or data loss. A poor implementation leads to downtime and revenue loss, so getting your migration done right is important.
The best migrations keep your emails running, meaning you won’t miss out on any potential business. They also ensure your contacts can reach you via the same, consistent channels, reducing any headaches caused by the move both internally and externally.
A strategic migration can also highlight other opportunities, such as integrating your existing tools to work with Microsoft 365 in synergy.
The first step is to work with a partner who can understand your systems, find the right migration and integration solutions for you, and work to achieve them with minimal disruption to your business operations. At CAB IT, we have your answer.
Microsoft 365 Migration and Integration with CAB IT Bristol
You should migrate to Microsoft 365 if you’re looking for a streamlined solution to cloud-based email and calendar management. With the right migration, you can preserve your digital assets and business uptime while making the move, ensuring everything continues as normal. As leading IT specialists in Bristol, the experts at CAB IT are perfectly positioned to handle your Microsoft 365 migration and find the solution that works best for your business. Get in touch today to find out more.
Explore more Microsoft 365 features with our blog on Copilot >
Check out these six ways that Microsoft 365 can improve your productivity >
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