How to Determine Which Microsoft 365 Migration Option is Best for Your Business

The way you manage your company’s information technology plays a large role in its success. This is especially true when it comes to data protection. The average data breach costs businesses approximately $4.5 million.

In situations like these are often impossible to recover from. The way you handle your data can prevent security issues from arising. This is especially true during Microsoft 365 migration, as data privacy is one of the most prominent cybersecurity concerns.

While data protection during this process might seem difficult, it’s simpler than it seems. Let’s explore the key information you should know when moving forward.

Staged Migration

This is one of the most common methods businesses use. When following this migration path, you’ll move all of your data in batches. It’s worth noting that this method isn’t available for Exchange 2010 or 2013.

It’s only applicable for those using Exchange 2003 or 2007. Users who haven’t migrated can still send emails to people who already have. The calendar and delegates tools will be unavailable, though.

Hybrid Migration

You can integrate Office 365 with your Exchange servers and current directory services. This allows you to seamlessly manage user accounts across both environments. In context, this means you’ll have no trouble transporting mailboxes to and from Microsoft Exchange Online.

You can also take advantage of password synchronization and single sign-on functionality. These streamline usability and make it far easier for your team to accommodate the changes.

Cutover Migration

Using cutover migration involves transporting all of your data at once to Office 365 from an on-premises system. You won’t be able to select specific objects during migration, so you’ll need to prepare accordingly.

After migration is completed, all users will have an Office 365 account. This migration path is ideal for companies that have fewer than 2,000 mailboxes to work with.

IMAP Migration

Also known as Internet Message Access Protocol migration, IMAP allows you to transport users from email systems that support IMAP migration. It pulls information from your source mailboxes and allocates it to Microsoft 365 servers. It doesn’t transition anything other than email, however.

Tasks, contacts, and calendar items will stay in their original inbox. To migrate these, you’ll need to do so manually. It’s also necessary to create a mailbox for each user.

There’s a limit of 50,000 total mailboxes and 5,000,000 items when using IMAP migrations. New mail sent to old inboxes won’t be transferred once migration is complete.

This form of migration can be difficult to handle without managed IT services. Consider outsourcing these obligations when moving forward so you can avoid issues you would’ve otherwise encountered.

Don’t Neglect Microsoft 365 Migration

Without the right Microsoft 365 migration plan in place, you’ll have difficulty meeting your needs. The information in this guide will help ensure you get started on the right track. From here, you’ll have no trouble reaching the right metrics.

Pegasus Technologies prides itself on offering premier managed IT services. We have locations in Kennett Square, PA, Media, PA, and Wayne, PA. You’ll learn more about the benefits we can provide when you get in touch with us today.