Why you should urgently migrate SharePoint on premise to the cloud

Many organizations are still using SharePoint 2013 or 2016 on premise. One reason is often concerns about data protection and migrating to the cloud.

But these companies should act quickly now, because SharePoint 2013 has not been supported since April of this year, and support for SharePoint 2016 ends in July 2026.

Advantages of migrating to Microsoft 365

Migrating from SharePoint on-premise to Microsoft 365 (formerly called Office 365) offers a variety of benefits and improvements for businesses. Here are some reasons why migration makes sense:

Scalability and flexibility

Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based solution that enables organizations to flexibly customize their storage and user requirements. The scalability of the cloud means you can easily add additional storage and user licenses as your business grows.

Reduce costs

With Microsoft 365, you no longer have to worry about operating and maintaining physical servers. The cloud infrastructure is managed by Microsoft, which can result in lower infrastructure costs.

Automatic updates and new features

Microsoft 365 receives regular updates with new features and improvements. You automatically get access to these updates without having to update your own infrastructure.

Collaboration and communication

Microsoft 365 offers a variety of tools and applications that promote collaboration across the enterprise, including SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and more These facilitate the exchange of information and teamwork, regardless of where employees are located. Because with Microsoft 365, users can access their documents and applications from virtually any device with an Internet connection. This promotes employee flexibility and productivity, as they are not limited to the corporate network.

Security and data protection

Microsoft has implemented strict security measures to protect your data. By using Microsoft 365, you can ensure that your data is safe and secure.

Data backup and recovery

Microsoft 365 provides backup and restore capabilities to recover accidentally deleted or corrupted files.

Integration with other Microsoft products

If your company already uses other Microsoft products such as Outlook, Word, Excel, etc., the integration with Microsoft 365 will be seamless and increase productivity.

Mobile Apps

Microsoft 365 offers mobile apps for multiple platforms, so users can conveniently access their files and tools on the go.

While migrating from SharePoint on-premise to Microsoft 365 offers many benefits, organizations should consider the specific needs and challenges of their organization to ensure the migration goes smoothly and achieves the expected benefits. It is advisable to carry out thorough planning before migration and, if necessary, to enlist the help of experienced IT experts or consultants.

What needs to be considered when migrating to Microsoft 365?

Migrating from SharePoint on-premise to Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) requires careful planning, preparation and implementation to ensure a smooth transition. Here are some important points to consider when migrating:

Comprehensive planning

Create a detailed migration plan that covers all aspects of the migration, including data, users, customizations, integrations, security and training. Define clear goals and timelines to guide the process.

Data analysis and cleansing

Perform a thorough analysis of your existing SharePoint on-premise data to decide which content should be migrated and which can be deleted or archived. Clean up old, unnecessary or obsolete data to streamline the migration process.

Authorization concept and security

Ensure that the security settings and permissions for the SharePoint files and sites are consistent and appropriate during the migration. Verify that the permissions in Microsoft 365 meet the same requirements.

Check compatibility

Ensure that your customizations, features, or third-party integrations in SharePoint on-premise also work in Microsoft 365. Sometimes adjustments may be required to ensure compatibility

Training and user support

Prepare your users to use Microsoft 365 and the new SharePoint Online capabilities. Train them in time so that they can work efficiently after the migration.

Backup and disaster recovery

Make sure you have an up-to-date backup of your SharePoint on-premise data before you begin the migration. Also implement a disaster recovery strategy in case something goes wrong.

Migration tools and methods

Select the appropriate tools or methods for migration. Microsoft offers various tools for SharePoint data migration, such as the Microsoft 365 SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) or SharePoint Online Management Shell. In addition, there are a variety of other providers such as the ShareGate Migration Tool.

Test migration

Perform a test migration to understand the migration steps and the impact on data and users. This helps to identify and correct potential problems at an early stage.

Post-migration review

After migration, verify that all data has been migrated properly and permissions are working correctly. Ensure that all features and integrations in Microsoft 365 are running as expected.

It is advisable to perform the migration in stages and seek support from experienced IT experts or consultants to minimize potential complications and ensure a successful transition.

Conclusion

Migrating from SharePoint on-premise to Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) offers a variety of benefits and improvements for businesses. Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based solution that enables greater scalability and flexibility. Organizations can easily adjust their storage and user requirements as the business gro In addition, cloud infrastructure leads to lower infrastructure costs, as companies no longer have to worry about operating and maintaining physical servers.

Ultimately, a migration to Microsoft 365 is a strategic decision that should be carefully planned and implemented. With the right planning and preparation, organizations can benefit from the many advantages and enhancements that Microsoft 365 offers.