With so many businesses turning to cloud services to increase productivity and reduce IT costs, Microsoft Office 365 is becoming a popular choice for many. However, before you make the switch, it’s important to know what potential pitfalls may arise during the migration process.
From data loss to compatibility issues, there are a number of common Microsoft Office 365 migration mishaps that could occur.
In order to ensure a smooth transition, it’s important to be aware of these potential issues and how to avoid them.
What is Office 365?
Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud-based collaboration platform that allows businesses to transition to the cloud. Users can access the software from any device with an internet connection, making it easy to collaborate across teams and geographies.
Office 365 can be used to host email, calendars, and contacts, as well as the Microsoft applications that are most commonly used in business, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook, along with advanced applications like SharePoint, OneDrive for Business, and Power BI.
Common Office 365 migration mishaps
Poor planning
Having a good migration plan is essential for any successful Microsoft Office 365 migration. Without a plan, an organization may not be able to complete the migration on time or within budget. It will also be difficult to identify and address any issues that could arise during or after the migration.
The most important thing to consider when creating a migration plan is to make sure that all the elements of the plan are covered, from the planning phase to the post-migration review.
A good migration plan should include a timeline, a list of tasks, an inventory of resources, and a risk assessment. It should also include a detailed analysis of the current environment, an evaluation of the target environment, an understanding of the migration process, and an estimate of the cost and timeline for the migration.
Security issues
It is essential to ensure that security is configured correctly to prevent security gaps and cloud-based security risks. More than 89% of US organizations were compromised by a cyber-attack across the 2021/22 period. You must be aware of the cyber risks cloud-based software will bring.
When planning your O365 migration, assess your organization’s current security posture, and create an action plan to address any security gaps. This should include policies and procedures for data access, data encryption, and user authentication.
You should also ensure your Office 365 environment is constantly monitored, and regularly audited. This can help to detect any suspicious activity or security gaps in the environment.
Applications not configured correctly
If you’re migrating from an on-premise solution to Office 365, you’ll first need to configure your applications and migrate your data. This process is likely to be a huge undertaking and require skilled engineers, so it’s important to get it right the first time.
If applications aren’t configured correctly, you could lose data as it’s being migrated to the cloud. If you’re migrating email, it’s important to select a migration method that ensures the integrity of messages is not impacted.
System compatibility
Before migrating to Office 365, it’s important to determine which of your applications are compatible with the platform and how to integrate them.
To begin, analyze your current systems and network to determine if they are compatible with Office 365. Check that your hardware and software meet the minimum requirements outlined by Microsoft, and your network can support the high speed and reliable connections that are needed for Office 365 to function optimally.
It is also important to review your current systems and network configuration. Make sure that your environment is conducive to Office 365’s integration, and that your systems and network can be easily adapted to fit the new platform. Consider if any additional modifications or training will be necessary to ensure successful integration.
End-users aren’t clued in
If your employees are not clued in to the transition, they could be confused and find themselves unable to access data and applications they’ve used for years. While some changes may be minor, others could be more drastic, such as shifting emails, calendars, and document repositories.
It’s important to inform your team about the migration process well in advance. This will allow them to become comfortable with the changes and prevent productivity from dropping. Staff training may also be necessary to ensure your team is able to adapt to the new platform and apps quickly and easily.
Manage your O365 migration with expert help
A successful Microsoft Office 365 migration requires much time and effort to run smoothly – from pre-migration planning and system assessments, to security audits and staff training after the fact.
The Microsoft Office 365 specialists at Technology Solutions can manage your entire migration process, from the planning stages to post-migration audits, staff training, and security configuration. Talk to them today and ensure your migration goes as smoothly as possible.
