Office 365 offers cloud-based services that attract users to make use of its advanced and flexible work environment. There are more factors encouraging users for the Exchange to Office 365 migration. This guide contains various methods to migrate Exchange to Office 365. You can use any as per your Exchange version.
Before I explain all the possible ways to migrate an Exchange database to Office 365, let me define some advantages of using Office 365.
Advantages of using Office 365:
- If you have to use a supporting device with network connectivity, you can use it all the time from anywhere.
- You just need to get a subscription. After subscription, you do not require to stress about updating and maintenance. Microsoft will be reliable for all these things to handle.
- You have complete control of your hardware and the entire Exchange database. But, since every invention has two flanks. A perfect exchange setup also can conduct to disaster, placing your important data at risk. Still, there are no concerns about hardware disasters with Office 365.
- Office 365 includes a bulk licensing pact. You can also get help at licensing prices.
- There is a perfect way for users to connect with defined cloud systems.
These are some of the advantages of Office 365. Using Office 365 may have more beneficial factors. Now, I have to proceed with some ways to migrate Exchange to Office 365.
Exchange to Office 365 Migration ways:
There are two perspectives of methods for Exchange to Office 365 migration. One is manual ways, and another one is using a professional tool. We have explained all of these.
Manual methods:
I have considered four types of manual methods here to migrate Exchange to Office 365. You have to follow them as per your mailboxes.
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Cutover Migration:
You can use this process for all versions of Exchange. But, Microsoft recommended using this way for Exchange Server 2003. You can use it to migrate up to 2000 mailboxes. Microsoft ensures that it processes 150 mailboxes. It may take several days for the process to complete.
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Staged Office 365 Migration:
You can use this way to migrate mailboxes for Exchange 2003 and 2007. This manual way is good to use for medium-sized businesses. It allows enduring mail to coexist with both environments. If you need to migrate more than 2000 mailboxes, you can use them this way.
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Hybrid Office 365 Migration:
If you want to migrate mailboxes between 150 – 2000, this procedure can help you. But, one thing is that it can migrate mailboxes for Exchange Server 2010 and 2013. This way, requests to create new user mailboxes and import information. As this way looks simple, there may be maximum changes to data loss with small human error. The process may fail during implementation.
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IMAP Office 365 migration:
This process appears to be a cutover migration. You can use this method with all Exchange servers, but there is one thing you can do to transfer only emails from an IMAP mailbox. It does not account for most functions.
These are possible manual ways to migrate Exchange to Office 365. But, they are all moving with a limited number of mailboxes. You can apply them only to the selected version of the Exchange. These are also lengthy processes as it takes a long time to complete. Thus, manually migrating Exchange to Office 365 is not a genius plan. Also, it is suggested by many IT professionals and term users to use a professional tool for Exchange to Office 365 migration. I have come up with a reliable solution for this task. It can migrate your business to Office 365 without any hassle. Let’s learn about it.
Shoviv software’s Office 365 migration tool:
Shoviv software is famed in the field of exchange to office 365 migration solutions. Shoviv’s Office 365 Migration Tool is the best and secure way which helps user can migrate their Exchange mailboxes easily and get a safe migration process. It introduces a simple GUI that creates it effortless to use for everyone in Exchange to Office 365 migration. Non-technical and learners can use it without extra help and support.
There is no limit to the number of mailboxes you can add. The migration can be completed instantly. Additional features make the task easier to complete. Nevertheless, this tool’s incremental export option is one of its best features. Demo versions are also available. You can use it to determine the proficiency level at which you will be able to migrate Exchange to Office 365.
Some highlights of this Office 365 migration tool:
- This tool allows adding the number of mailboxes of any size and migrating them without any hitches.
- It can migrate public folders and archive mailboxes to Office 365.
- Using this tool, you will get a preview of source mailboxes items. It will help to make sure the data before processing.
- There are no worries about data failure. It maintains the structure of the folder with data integrity.
More advanced features:
1) Items Filter option: There is a filter option. You can filter the desired items by Message Class and Item Date to migrate Exchange to Office 365.
2) Data Search option: The tool has is the capability to search items by message class, date, subject, cc, bcc, attachment date, etc. You can also include/exclude items.
3) An Incremental Export/Backup feature: You need to check on this option. It will help you to resume the process if it gets interrupted.
4) Emails translation: You can replace Colonial email with a specific email address for Exchange to Office 365 migration.
5) Folder mapping: There are manual and automatic mapping options. You can apply any to a map from the source folder to the target folder for migration.
6) Try a demo version: Shoviv software provides a free demo version of this tool. You can estimate all the features with the demo version. In addition to getting a fair idea of the tool, you can also process the first 50 items per folder in the demonstration. While you get the license, there is no such limit. Both are similar in acting.
Conclusion:
I hope this guide has given you a perfect plan to migrate Exchange to Office 365. I have discussed different ways in this guide. Manual processes are so complicated, and experts also neglect them to process. It also describes why to choose a professional tool for Exchange to Office 365 migration.
