Correct planning is step one for a profitable on-premises Trade Server to Microsoft 365 migration. On this article, we’ll talk about methods to plan simply such a Microsoft 365 migration undertaking. We may also point out an EDB converter instrument that may assist easy the transition from on-premises to Microsoft 365.
On-premises Trade Server to Microsoft 365 migration ought to be seamless for the enterprise, directors, and technical employees tasked with the migration, in addition to the customers of the e-mail, calendaring, messaging, and workplace process software program. The method ought to be sure that all data is migrated with full knowledge integrity.
Stock and preparation
Take inventory of all of the assets that are on the on-premises server. These embrace mailboxes, distribution teams, shared mailboxes, archives, and public folders. Filter out the mailboxes which you wish to omit from the migration or convert to shared mailboxes.
Undergo the licence assignments in accordance with customers’ wants. The next Microsoft 365 licences can be found:
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Fundamental: 50 GB mailbox and 75 GB archive, 1 TB OneDrive.
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Customary: All of the Fundamental plan’s options, plus the Workplace package deal.
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3: 100 GB mailbox, with limitless archive and the Workplace package deal, which will also be used through Distant Desktop.
Migration technique
Customers ought to be knowledgeable in regards to the undertaking beforehand and at each stage.
Be sure that the enterprise will not be disrupted when the cut-off is carried out. Ideally, that is completed on a weekend or when the enterprise will not be working. This ensures the mandatory time for migration and entry to assets for fallback if one thing goes incorrect. As soon as the date is ready, inform the customers and the undertaking sponsors.
Consumer coaching: It’s necessary to have the customers on board and be snug with the brand new system’s options. Microsoft 365 brings a number of new instruments which may enhance productiveness and provide a higher variety of providers on customers’ mobiles.
It’s necessary that the customers have coaching on the brand new platform. Near the migration date, have some customers take a look at the functions to make sure that the instruments and dealing surroundings are sensible of their respective work settings.
In the course of the migration course of, directors ought to be sure that all e-mail addresses, domains, assets, and DNS modifications have been accomplished to make sure the move of emails – inner and exterior – through the Microsoft 365 tenant. Any multifunction gadgets, like scanners, ought to be reconfigured in order that their emails might be despatched and obtained by way of the Trade On-line occasion.
After migration, customers ought to be onboarded with up to date authentication strategies, together with on their cell gadgets, and have entry to assist ought to any points come up.
Publish migration, decommission the on-premises servers and clear up the Lively Listing database. Examine the weblog submit, Tips on how to Decommission Trade Server after Migration to Workplace 365, for assist with the method, which covers the decommissioning of a single Trade Server.
Migration of knowledge
When migrating from Trade Server to Workplace 365, you possibly can select from the next migration strategies:
- Cutover migration
- Staged migration
- Hybrid migration
Cutover migration is finest for small organisations with few mailboxes, and the tactic includes transferring all mailboxes without delay. Customers can proceed utilizing their mailboxes through the course of, however some downtime might happen. Observe, any Public folders can’t be migrated instantly utilizing this methodology.
The staged migration methodology is finest for organisations utilizing older Trade Server variations (2003 and 2007). This methodology permits migration in batches, making it extra systematic than a cutover migration. Nevertheless, it’s not really useful for newer variations of on-premise Trade.
The hybrid migration methodology is finest for giant organisations that want a gradual migration or a interval of coexistence, utilizing on-premises Trade and Workplace 365 concurrently. Nevertheless, this methodology may be prolonged and complicated, and Public folders would require separate migration scripts.
Various: Third-party migration instruments
You should use functions like Stellar Converter for EDB to make the transition to the cloud smoother. The applying can open stay or orphaned databases and granularly export EDB knowledge on to Microsoft 365 or one other Trade Server, robotically mapping from supply to vacation spot.
Publish migration duties
After migration, take into account the cleanup of knowledge on the unique Trade Server and an export of present knowledge for archiving. You will have to extract knowledge from a backup if any data was missed through the migration. Stellar Converter for EDB will help extract such knowledge.
Conclusion
As you will have seen, there are a lot of technical and non-technical steps concerned to make sure a easy Microsoft 365 migration. It’s necessary that each one the events concerned are up to date and on board with the undertaking. As Microsoft 365 presents lots of new enhancements and collaboration instruments, migrating holds worth for the enterprise. The method is complicated and requires technical experience, however software program like Stellar Converter for EDB can migrate knowledge with fewer issues and keep the integrity of your small business’s data.
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