Microsoft Office 365 Migration: Common Challenges Organizations Face & Points to Keep in Mind

Options for Microsoft Office 365 Migration

Office 365 migrations are primarily of four types:

• Cutover Migration: In these office 365 migrations, all the data is moved in one extensive process from on-prem applications to the cloud.
• Batched Migration: In this case, migration happens in batches or planned stages. An ideal scenario would be a transfer of exchange mailboxes.
• Hybrid: In migration office365 processes, companies may want to maintain on-premise versions and cloud ones. It is simply to ascertain the success of the cloud migration, and once that has been done, the on-prem can be disabled. It is the most challenging of all types of migration to office 365.
• IMAP: While the above-mentioned Office 365 migration types are focused on Exchange, an IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) migration allows enterprises to transition their users from Gmail or other email systems which support IMAP migration.

Challenges of o365 Migration

There can be several challenges associated with the process of office 365 migration. Therefore, a well-detailed migration strategy is required to make the entire process a success. Here are the most common challenges organizations might face while migrating to office 365:

Maintaining Hybrid Solutions

Maintaining an on-prem environment while migrating the rest to the cloud requires deft handling and a well-planned strategy. It primarily occurs when the company has a large workforce who work remotely while also retaining on-prem capability for those working from office facilities.

Varied Application Challenges

Not all migration office 365 missions have a smooth going since every application has its threshold of tolerance level whilst moving from one system to another. Migration of Exchange mailboxes is simple while those of SharePoint Online isn’t. Migrating linked Excel sheets pose challenges too.

Network Challenges

A network with low bandwidth is a critical challenge during an office365 migration. Internet performance is paramount to the success of the entire process. The performance of the cloud would suffer too if the internet were slow. To overcome it, network specialists need to ensure that the hardware is up to date or whether an upgrade is required. Usage of tenant migration tools to mitigate such challenges is an option too.

Security

Optimum data security is a significant concern when organizations go through with Microsoft office 365 migration. The primary responsibility of every organization is to safeguard the data it holds. Loss or theft of data is not just a legally punishable offense but can also lead to monetary and reputational loss. To overcome it, Microsoft has put in place numerous layers of safeguards, which will help in preventing illegal access to personal data.

Adaptability

While the organizations focus more on the technical and security aspect of the office 365 migrations, one area they overlook is the human factor. There is often a resistance against change, and it is found across the board. Thus, it is prudent to involve all the stakeholders and concerned departments like Internal Communications, HR et al. Microsoft, on its part, provides its users with an excellent detailed hands-on training material for easy adoption.

Things to Remember Before Going Ahead with Migration Office365

Businesses must understand the implications of each plan and strategize accordingly. The expense does not end here. In addition to the cloud charges, there is an added cost of the migration and the necessary tech upgrades required.

Pricing

Migration to office 365 comes with a price that needs to be decided upon first. Microsoft has plans for businesses which are as follows:

• • Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $5.00 /user/month
  • Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 /user/month
  • Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $20.00 /user/month
  • Microsoft 365 Apps: $8.25 /user/month

Timeline

Timeline Management is necessary when it comes to migration to office365. One must be realistic while setting up a timeline. A checklist having all the milestones with their expected deadlines need to be maintained and followed. The timeline will also have to understand the budgetary goals and limitations. A successful migration considers the low-hanging fruits and the priority items and then builds a sustained workflow.

Clear Communication

One of the significant challenges of o365 migration is the reluctance to accept change. The human factor is crucial to the success of such an event, failing of which the entire endeavor will fall flat. The migration should not come as a surprise to the employees, and a clear line of communication is the need of the hour. All the stakeholders must be a part of this mission.

Partnering with Specialists

While tools like Azure Active Directory Synchronization make the migration more manageable, it is still a daunting task migrating a vast amount of data and applications from on-prem facilities to the cloud. It is advisable to employ specialists who can help you complete this task successfully.

Training

The success of the migration is based on how well the team has been able to adapt it. Team training is a necessary cog in the wheel, and this is the responsibility of all the stakeholders to see to it that it is done with utmost urgency.

Final Words

With the increasing use of cloud computing, many businesses are undergoing Office 365 migration for their cloud-based collaboration, communication, and productivity abilities. While there are challenges associated with Microsoft office 365 migration, the advantages are immense. Therefore, organizations need to create a strategy considering all the roadblocks mentioned in the article and plan accordingly for a smooth migration process. Alternatively, one can reach out to migration experts who may have handled small-scale and large-scale migration procedures and help you migrate at a nominal cost.