Were you one of the organizations in Eugene that migrated to Microsoft 365 in a hurry last year? Have you been unimpressed with the results? If the answer is yes, running a post-migration check-up could help you identify the areas that are making your experience sub-par.
A post-migration check will give you peace of mind that no opportunities are left untapped. For instance, if you were to do a house remodel, installing a new fireplace and gas stove, you’ll need to have a fire inspection before you can fully move-in to make sure there are no hazards. Same goes with a post-migration checklist. In the post-migration, you will have to consider mailbox migration, licenses, and permissions, as well as cybersecurity and end-user training.
So here you have it, a list of post-migration considerations that in our experience as Microsoft certified consultants, we cover with our clients. It’s all about making the rollout smooth and driving higher adoption.
First, you have to redirect end-user mailboxes to Microsoft 365. There are a few methods to achieve this. You can either do a cut-over migration, where you move multiple mailboxes at once or use the IMAP protocol. This depends on the on-premise Exchange solution you had in place and if it supports IMAP protocol or not. Second, you need to make sure all devices that require access to email accounts are pointing to Microsoft 365 and syncing properly.
What if I’m migrating from Gsuite to Microsoft 365? Gmail mailboxes also utilize IMAP protocol so the email redirection can be completed via IMAP configuration. If your organization is looking to also migrate calendars and contact information, you need to complete a full Gsuite Migration, which might require additional steps and we can help you with that.
Backup is your organization’s safety net and essential for business continuity. Organizations incorrectly assume that their data on the cloud is immune to data loss. While Microsoft 365 is extremely secure, it cannot protect you from data loss!
Having a dependable backup and recovery solution will enable you to quickly recover emails and data in the event of a breach. Make sure that your new environment is being automatically and reliably backed up.
After you’ve completed your Microsoft 365 migration, it is important to review the configuration of your Sharepoint and OneDrive. Make sure all your content has replicated across correctly, and is visible and available to the your users. If this is not the case, you can use Microsoft Sharepoint Migration Toolbox to reorganize and reconfigure your new Sharepoint environment, or you can contact a Microsoft 365 certified partner to guide you in this process.
This step will truly make or break your end-user experience. You want to make sure that the right users have the right applications and can access them from any device. Once you have effectively migrated the mailboxes, make sure you pair end-users with the right Microsoft 365 license, and that the user permissions for Sharepoint and OneDrive are accurate.
Domain Name System (DNS) is essentially the phonebook of the internet. Every time you type a website url, like “yourcompany.com”, the DNS record will translate that domain name to an IP address and establish a connection.
Once you are using Microsoft 365, DNS remains vital to having a quality user experience, as it will help the users to connect their mailboxes to Outlook email clients, as well as other mobile clients.
You could create an Autodiscover DNS record to ensure that when your users attempt to configure a new Outlook profile, the client will look up your Microsoft 365 DNS record, and not discover your On-Premise Exchange Server. Check here, for more information about DNS and Autodiscover.
Based on the Cloud Security Shared Responsibility Model, end-users are responsible for enabling application and infrastructure security layers. The good news is that Microsoft 365 makes a variety of security features available to enhance application and infrastructure security; these can be activated and configured through the Microsoft 365 Security Center.
For instance, from small businesses to large enterprises, implementing measures such as Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) should be a high priority. Make sure you set up MFA using mobile devices to guarantee the right users have access to the right data, at any given time.
Pro Tip: “Use Microsoft Azure Active Directory for Access Control as it isolates customers using tenant containers as security boundaries to safeguard a customer’s content so that the content cannot be accessed or compromised by co-tenants.” – Microsoft Advice
Deploy an enablement and training program.
Communication is the first thing to consider for user enablement. Send an email to all your end-users with information including:
For enablement and training, you can use Microsoft 365 resources and run the training yourself, or you can partner with a Microsoft Consultant to run those for you. Regardless of the option you choose, don’t forget that every successful adoption program has three key areas, so make sure to include these:
If you decided to roll out Microsoft Teams as your collaboration hub, here are a few Key Metrics for Measuring a Successful Adoption of Teams.
Once you have completed your Microsoft 365 migration, these steps will help you run a post-migration checklist. These considerations ensure a seamless transition to your Microsoft 365 environment, and also promise a high return on your investment, as employees will feel comfortable and safe using the applications.
Need some help with your migration or post-migration checklist? We can help. Give us a call to learn how.
Maybe you think your business is too small for an MSP, but nothing could be further from the truth. MSPs can help companies of all sizes with cloud computing, data storage and security, software and hardware maintenance and upgrades, and much more. Yes, even the smallest small businesses, including those with 50 or fewer users.
Leading an IT team is a tough, multi-faceted job, and no one understands that better than an MSP (managed services provider). An MSP is a tech partner that works with you to handle everyday IT tasks and can help you ensure that the changing nature of technology doesn’t leave your business behind.
Whether you’ve got 10 or 100 employees, a managed services provider can keep your IT on track and your business running smoothly. Even companies in the 250-300 user range, just toeing the line into enterprise-level tech solutions, can enjoy all the benefits of an MSP.
An IT generalist is a jack-of-all-trades. They’re by your side every day to manage your help desk, support your staff’s IT needs, deliver service and maintenance, and be network administrators who ensure everything is working as intended. On the other hand, an IT specialist works on more complex technology issues, such as projects and escalations. IT specialists also often take on the role of solutions architects.
Getting your outsourced IT services from an IT Services company seems like an obvious choice. You have someone you can call when things go sideways to help you get your technology back up and running. An MSP, or managed service provider, is a type of outsourced IT, but not all outsourced IT companies are MSPs. We’re going to break down the differences even further.
Between inflation, supply chain interruptions, and the looming possibility of yet another recession, it can be difficult for business leaders to chart the best course of action to keep themselves not just solvent, but thriving and growing in the face of such economic uncertainty. One way that businesses can make themselves more recession-proof is by having a solid IT structure in place, including software, hardware, security, data storage, and IT experts, to help everything run efficiently and effectively
Many businesses are turning to outside IT professionals to help them optimize their operations and keep their technology running smoothly and efficiently through strategic planning. A vCIO, or virtual Chief Information Officer, can be the key to streamlining IT functionality for your business.
There are outsourced IT services, and then there are MSPs—managed service providers. Managed service providers are outsourced IT companies, but not all outsourced IT companies are MSPs. Managed service providers are local businesses and, more importantly, local to your business.
Onboarding new staff members can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. While it symbolizes growth and new opportunities for your organization, it’s crucial to implement the necessary measures to guarantee a secure and seamless integration.
Since 2001, StepUP IT Services has been helping businesses in Eugene and throughout Oregon with their technology needs. We are your IT partner. We manage and maintain your technology, empowering your organization to reach its goals. Making you happy is what makes us happy.
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