Executing a successful G Suite to Office 365 migration requires a lot of preparation and planning. There are lots of key steps to go over to ensure you migrate all of your data, mailboxes, calendars, and more without any loss. Here’s what to know about doing a G Suite to Office 365 migration.
G Suite to Office 365 Migration Explained
When you migrate from Google Workspace or G Suite to Office 365 or Microsoft 365, you’ll need to execute a complex process. In our migration guide, we’ll go over the entire process step by step to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
Pre-migration Preparation
The cornerstone of any great G Suite to Office 365 migration is in the planning.
Assessment and Planning
To start, conduct a thorough assessment of your G Suite accounts. Create a detailed inventory listing all user accounts, including usernames, email addresses, and any associated aliases. Catalog the types of data each user has, such as emails, calendar events, contacts, and files stored in Google Drive.
You have to identify key users who have large volumes of data or perform critical business functions, as their needs should be prioritized during the migration. Next, determine the scope of the migration. Decide whether all emails need to be migrated or just those from a specific date range.
For calendars, decide if only future events or all events, including past ones, need to be included. Ensure that both personal and shared contacts are part of the migration plan. Clarify whether files in Google Drive will be transferred to OneDrive for Business or SharePoint and if any specific folder structures or permissions need to be replicated in Office 365.
Finally, create a detailed migration timeline. Plan the migration phases to minimize disruption to your business operations. Identify any potential blackout periods or times of reduced activity when migration can be performed with minimal impact.
Establish clear milestones and deadlines for each phase of the migration to ensure the process stays on track. Communicate this timeline to all stakeholders to set expectations and prepare for any necessary adjustments.
Provision Office 365 Accounts
The next step is to ensure that every user has an Office 365 account set up. This includes creating new user accounts in Office 365 that mirror the existing G Suite accounts.
You have to verify that all necessary details, such as usernames and email addresses, are accurately replicated. Once the accounts are set up, assign the appropriate Office 365 licenses to each user based on their needs. This might include licenses for email, collaboration tools, or specific business applications within Office 365.
Domain Verification
Following the setup, the next step in the G Suite to Office 365 migration is domain verification. To verify your domain ownership with Microsoft Office 365, you’ll need to add a TXT record to your DNS.
This process confirms that you control the domain and allows Office 365 to manage your email and other services. Follow the instructions provided by Office 365 to add the required TXT record to your DNS settings. Once the record is added, Office 365 will verify it and confirm your domain ownership.
Configuring G Suite
Enable API access in G Suite to allow data migration. This involves configuring the necessary settings in the G Suite admin console to permit third-party access to your data. Ensure that all necessary permissions are granted to the migration tool you’ll be using.
This step is crucial for a smooth data transfer process, as it allows the migration tool to access and transfer emails, calendar events, contacts, and files from G Suite to Office 365.
The Migration Process
Following the initial setup and preparation, a G Suite and Microsoft 365 migration continues with the tool setup.
Choosing the right migration tool is a crucial step in ensuring a smooth transition from G Suite to Office 365. Begin by evaluating the available tools. The Office 365 Admin Center offers built-in migration capabilities that can handle various data types.
For more advanced needs or larger migrations, many consider third-party migration tools such as BitTitan MigrationWiz or SkyKick, which offer additional features and support. Microsoft’s Data Migration Service is another reliable option, providing robust capabilities for email, calendar, and contact migration.
To migrate from G Suite to Microsoft 365, you will also have to create a migration batch. The step involves grouping users into manageable batches based on criteria such as department, location, or data volume. Organizing users into batches helps in systematically handling the migration, making it easier to manage and monitor progress.
Email Migration
Begin by migrating emails from G Suite to Office 365. The chosen migration tool will typically transfer emails in a structured manner, ensuring that all folders and labels are maintained. Monitor the process to ensure that all emails are successfully migrated without data loss.
Calendar and Contacts Migration
Next, migrate calendars and contacts. The migration tool will transfer calendar events, including recurring meetings, and all contact information. Verify that calendar events are correctly transferred and that contact details are complete and accurate.
File Migration
Finally, transfer files from Google Drive to OneDrive for Business or SharePoint. This step involves copying documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other files, ensuring that the folder structures and file permissions are replicated in the new environment. Depending on the volume of data, this process may take some time. Monitor the transfer closely and address any issues that arise.
What to Know Post-migration
After completing the migration, it’s essential to verify the integrity of the migrated data. Check to ensure that all emails, calendar events, contacts, and files have been accurately transferred to Office 365.
Also, you should perform random spot checks and ask users to confirm that their data is complete and accessible. This verification process helps identify any discrepancies or missing data that may need to be addressed.
It’s vital that you provide training and support to help users transition smoothly to Office 365. Offer training sessions or materials that cover the basics of using Outlook for email, Teams for collaboration, OneDrive for file storage, and other Office 365 applications.
Ensure users understand how to access and manage their data in the new environment. Then, establish support channels, such as a dedicated helpdesk or internal support team, to assist users with any issues or questions they may have.
Final Thoughts on G Suite to Office 365 Migration
Migrating from G Suite to Office 365 is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning, execution, and post-migration management. To ensure a seamless process and smooth transition for all users, get in touch with the professionals at Coherence Inc.
Our migration experts can help create the perfect approach for a transition that will boost your organization’s productivity and collaboration capabilities. Contact us today to learn more!
