Migrating to Microsoft Office 365 is a smart move for organizations looking to boost productivity, enhance collaboration, and improve security. But let’s be honest moving from legacy systems to a modern cloud-based solution like Microsoft Office 365 is no small feat. Without careful planning, you might encounter costly mistakes that slow you down or derail your migration goals entirely.
Here’s our guide to the 5 most common Microsoft office 365 Migration and how you can avoid them.
Common pitfalls to avoid when migrating to Microsoft Office 365
1) Forgetting to do a content audit
Before migrating to Office 365, be sure to perform an audit of all of your data and content. Many businesses move to Office 365 to reduce cost and increase efficiency. However, if you move irrelevant, outdated and unused content from your old software to Office 365, it defeats one of the purposes of the migration.
A content audit will allow you to segment your files into categories of what needs to be cleaned up, what needs to be created and what can be discarded. It will also allow you to estimate how much storage space you might need going into Office 365, so that you may choose the best plan to meet your business needs.
2) Leaving it all to IT
Yes, an Office 365 migration is technical process that should be handled by your IT department. While they may carry out the implementation and installation, the migration strategy should be a team effort.
Your IT department doesn’t know where all content needs to be stored, how the files need to be organized, what departments want to see in the new system and how the system should be structured in order to best meet the company needs. It is crucial that all departments in your company are involved in driving adoption of Office 365. Creating a team with a liaison from each critical department such as Human Resources, Operations, Marketing/Sales and Finance/Account will ease the transition.
3) Upfront training people on Office 365
Moving from previous versions of SharePoint and other legacy platforms to Office 365 can be a big change for your employees. Office 365 offers a multitude of new functions and features to make your business processes more efficient. In order to maximize your ROI, make sure you and your employees are familiar with the functionality of the new software and know how to best use it to increase employee’s productivity.
4) Failing to set up proper schedule for migration
Unforeseen problems can arise in any cloud migration and Office 365 is no exception. Create a detailed timeline for the migration and include contingency time for the unforeseen. If a migration occurs during weekdays, it might cause disruption in the day to day activities of your employees. If possible, schedule the migration to occur over weekends or during off hours to minimize impact and loss of work time.
5) Failing to seek out appropriate help
Office 365 is a strategic investment for your company and it needs to be done properly. A Migration Program may overrun budget and schedule if not planned properly. Engaging a firm with the expertise to advise and assist in the execution of the migration can ultimately save your company time and money.
Ready to Simplify Your Microsoft Office 365 Migration?
Migrating to Office 365 doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By avoiding these common mistakes and partnering with a trusted expert like TrnDigital you’ll ensure a seamless, efficient move that positions your organization for long-term success.
Contact TrnDigital today to explore how our Office 365 migration services can accelerate your cloud strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Why should I migrate to Microsoft Office 365?
Office 365 offers enhanced productivity, improved collaboration, scalable storage, and advanced security all accessible from anywhere on any device.
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How long does an Office 365 migration usually take?
The timeline depends on factors like data volume, business size, and complexity but small-to-medium businesses typically complete migrations within a few weeks to a few months.
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Will there be downtime during the migration?
Proper planning including off-hour scheduling and phased migrations—can minimize or even eliminate downtime.
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Can I migrate only some departments first instead of the whole organization?
Yes, a phased approach is common. You can migrate by department or business unit to reduce risk and ensure smoother adoption.
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How can TrnDigital help with my Office 365 migration?
We offer end-to-end support including strategic planning, data migration, user training, and post-migration optimization to make your transition stress-free and successful.
