Do you go into panic mode when your SharePoint guy unexpectedly quits? Finding and keeping personnel with the right expertise to handle complex on-premises solutions is a common challenge. One promising solution: Office 365. This is just one example of the many advantages of moving to Office 365.
Before you start packing up those (virtual) boxes here are some useful hacks to get your Office 365 migration off the ground:
#1. Make the Case
An essential first step is to clearly outline the business case and any constraints for an Office 365 migration. With a clear understanding of both the goals you hope to achieve and the business concerns that must be addressed you will have a clear plan of attack to follow.
You may find your business has constraints that require a hybrid solution. For example, to address security concerns and keep personal identifiable or sensitive client information secure this may be the best option. If there is a compelling reason to create a hybrid environment rather than a full migration you will have to address other issues including single sign on and search across the hybrid environments.
#2 The Ending is the Beginning
Once you have a handle on why and what you are moving you can map out how you want the final product to look. Starting at the end point is the best way to make sure you build what you need and leave out what you don’t.
For example, you may have included several third-party tools in your on-premises environment to achieve different business goals. With Office 365 you may find way to build a final solution for that business issue while skipping the added complexity and cost of enlisting a third party tool.
#3 Don’t Move Your Mess.
Don’t skip this step unless you want to pay more for your Office 365 migration. When you move content you will be charged by how much you move. This makes taking the time to archive what your business doesn’t need worth the effort.
It is important to enlist the right people to make decisions about what to keep and what to (finally) toss. Work with your team to ensure your plan meets any compliance or legal requirements.
#4 No Seriously, Don’t Move Your Mess.
Not only does it make sense to archive what you don’t need, it is also important to create a new environment that is orderly and logical for your business. Make it part of your Office 365 migration to address your information architecture and taxonomy to improve overall usability and findability.
Starting from day 1 with just the content your business needs in a freshly organized structure will help your users happier with their new Office 365 environment.
#5 Ready. Set. Migrate.
You’ve planned, cleaned, and organized– now you just need a moving company. Select a third-party migration tool to complete your Office 365 migration.
Consider using Metalogixor Sharegate, these tools are tried and true options that provide substantial value for their cost.
Like any move, the most important steps occur before you get out a single box or roll of tape. For the best results make sure you take a thoughtful and thorough approach when developing your business case, designing your end point, archiving your data, and developing a solid information architecture.
Learn more about the benefits of today’s digital workplace capabilities by downloading our free e-book, Your Roadmap To The Digital Workplace: A Step-By-Step Guide For Professional Services Firms.
