If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on how to migrate from G-Suite to Microsoft 365, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of making the switch and provide an outline of the steps involved in making the move.
The switch from G-Suite to Microsoft 365 has many benefits. Perhaps the biggest advantage is that Microsoft 365 is a complete productivity suite, while G-Suite is more limited in scope. Microsoft 365 also offers a number of features that aren’t available in G-Suite, such as built-in security and compliance features, as well as access to Office applications.
Another major benefit of Microsoft 365 is that it’s a managed information technology service. This means you don’t have to worry about keeping G-Suite up and running, while still receiving the benefits of G-Suite. G Suite admin staff can be freed up for other tasks while Microsoft 365 takes care of G-Suite’s upkeep.
Trying to manage G-Suite on your own can be time consuming and frustrating. With Microsoft 365, this task is taken out of your hands entirely.
It’s worth noting that some G-Suite services are only available in G Suite Basic Edition or G Suite Business Edition, which means most small businesses won’t have access to these features at all. For example, G-Suite Business users get unlimited space for Gmail mailboxes, but cannot use Google Vault or Google Forms.
Microsoft 365 offers a wide range of features that are perfect for businesses of all sizes. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Security and compliance features, including data loss prevention, eDiscovery, and information rights management
- Access to Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- 25GB of storage per user for email and files
- Team collaboration tools, including chat, video conferencing, and file sharing
If you’re ready to make the switch from G-Suite to Microsoft 365, here are 6 steps you need to take:
1. Evaluate your needs
Before making the switch, it’s important to evaluate your needs and decide which features in G-Suite and Microsoft 365 meet them. For example, if you need G Suite’s unlimited G Drive storage, G Suite Basic Edition won’t suffice.
2. Set up a migration plan
When you know which G-Suite features you want to keep and how Microsoft 365 can benefit your business, it’s time to set up a migration plan. Microsoft recommends that businesses migrating from G-Suite use the G Suite Migration for Microsoft Outlook tool, but notes that there are other options available as well.
3. Test everything before starting the switch
Before making the move, make sure all of your employees are comfortable with their new tools in Microsoft 365. You don’t want to make the switch only part way through the work day and end up with a lot of frustrated employees. Test everything out first, including email, chat, and file sharing.
4. Migrate your data
Once you’re sure everything is working as it should, it’s time to migrate your data. This process can take some time, so be patient. Microsoft has a comprehensive guide on how to migrate your data from G-Suite to Microsoft 365.
5. Cut over to Microsoft 365
Now that all your data is migrated, it’s time to cut over to Microsoft 365. This process can take a little bit of time, but the benefits are well worth it. Make sure you have a plan for what will happen to your GSuite account once you’ve made the switch.
6. Communicate with G-Suite users
Once you’ve switched to Microsoft 365, there are still some G-Suite users out there that may need to get in touch with you from time to time. You don’t want these G Suite holdouts wondering where you went and how they can contact you in the future. Make sure all of your employees understand the switch and what it means for their ability to communicate with G-Suite users in the future.
These are the essential steps you need to take in order to properly migrate from G-Suite to Microsoft 365. Now that G-Suite is no longer needed, your employees can focus on other tasks and G Suite admin staff can be freed up for other projects as well.