User query: I want to know the Exchange to Office 365 migration methods that can help me transfer. I have been struggling with the on-premises server and now I want all my data on the cloud. Please help!
There have been many users who do not know or understand the methods used for migrating from on-premises server to the cloud i.e. Exchange and Office 365 respectively.
We are here to solve the queries of each user, explaining the methods and giving expert suggestions to help troubled users.
Note: If you want a smart solution, go for the Exchange On-Premise to Office 365 Migration Tool as suggested by experts.
What is the Need for Exchange to Office 365 Migration Methods?
There are various benefits of using Exchange On-Premises server, yet, users want to move to Microsoft 365 for the functions it offers.
Many users prefer transferring to Office 365 for the following reasons:
- Data Security: With Office 365 licenses, you will be given automatic updates if there are any new threats discovered. It has built-in protection against data loss and offers the same security measures to all Office 365 users. Whereas, in Exchange server, all the security updates are burdened upon the shoulders of the IT department.
- Disaster Recovery: Users need Exchange to Office 365 migration methods so that they can make use of the effective disaster recovery of Office 365 Suite. With the help of a backup of your files, you will always be able to access and recover your files if any disaster has taken place.
- Control: Using Office 365 Suite, you have all the control over your data, however, in situations where there is a need to troubleshoot, you do not have to worry. The experience IT department itself will troubleshoot the issues immediately and solve all the problems.
- Scalability: The Exchange to Office 365 migration methods help to transfer data to a more scalable platform. This means that by moving your data to Microsoft 365, there is a possibility to extend the business globally eliminating all the expenditure of setting up servers, etc.
- Cost: Since there is no physical equipment like servers and switches in the cloud, the cost for the same is cut and only the subscription cost is to be incurred by the user. This saves a lot of investment on the user’s end, again, becoming a benefit.
Now let’s find out how you can migrate.
Take a Look at Exchange to Office 365 Migration Methods
Here, you will find 3 types of manual methods that strictly need to be performed under expert assistance.
If you do not have enough technical expertise or assistance, it is suggested that you do not try these methods since they are difficult to understand and even harder to perform.
These 3 methods are:
- Cutover Migration
- Staged Migration
- Hybrid Migration
We will learn about these methods one-by-one but wait, do you not want to know how the expert’s suggested software works.
Well, let’s first go through the working steps of the tool from Exchange to Office 365 migration methods, and then we will learn about the manual methods.
About the Working Steps of Expert Recommendation
The software will make sure there are no changes made to your data after migration and users can transfer in bulk and batches.
Selective data migration is also made possible by providing Date-filter to select a time period for and export the data from the chosen duration.
Follow the givens steps to perform the procedure successfully:
- Activate the tool and choose the Source as Exchange and Destination as Office 365 in the Setup
- In this technique from Exchange to Office 365 migration methods, you can choose the categories you want to export data from and set the Date-filter in Workload Selection.
- Enter the details for Exchange, hit on the Validate button for permissions, and click Next in the Source Window.
- Fill in the credentials for Office 365 admin account and Validate the permissions. Hit Next for moving further.
- Add mailbox users by choosing either the Fetch Users option or the Import Users
- Lastly, set the priorities, Validate the mapping of accounts, and hit Start Migration
To the manual techniques now.
Exchange to Office 365 Migration Methods Explained in Brief
- Cutover Migration: By using the Cutover Migration method, users have the option to migrate all the resources such as mailboxes, contacts, & distribution groups at once. This method can be used to migrate less than 2,000 mailboxes & 150 users and works with Exchange 2003, 2007, 2010, & 2013 versions.
- Staged Migration: The Staged Migration technique has the ability to transfer data from over 2,000 mailboxes in batches over a certain period. It creates replicas of your data from the on-premises server by using the Directory Synchronization Tool. However, this technique from Exchange to Office 365 migration methods is only available for users having Exchange 2003 or 2007 versions.
- Hybrid Migration: This workaround allows you to integrate Office 365 with Exchange server for a hybrid environment. You have the option to choose the mailboxes that you want to keep on the on-premises server and the ones that you want to migrate. The method helps you to export more than 2,000 mailboxes on Exchange server 2013 or 2010.
These methods are not as simple as they appear to be. There are many things that you need to consider before performing the migration procedure manually.
The manual Exchange to Office 365 migration methods are complicated and take a lot of time for even experienced users.
Those who have no knowledge about migration will not be able to go through the procedure successfully the first time.
Also, it is highly suggested that if you want to try the manual techniques, you should take assistance from migration experts and professionals.
Wrapping Up
Exchange On-premise is a great platform, yet, it doesn’t always help users in many fields. The advantaged of moving to Office 365 have been explained in this article along with the Exchange to Office 365 migration methods.
Users have the option to choose one of the given methods for migration if they are technically inclined and understand the complications of manual methods.