Mastering SharePoint Migration: Your Ultimate User-Friendly Guide

Is your company ready to transition from an on-premise server to a SharePoint environment? While on-premise servers served their purpose in the past, most businesses can now achieve even more within a Microsoft 365 SharePoint ecosystem. This comprehensive guide aims to assist you in determining whether your organization is prepared to make this transformative leap.

Applications:

1. Assess Your Applications: Take stock of your current applications—are they web-based or hosted on your server?
   • Adobe
   • QuickBooks
   • Business-specific applications
   • Office products
2. Explore Cloud-Based Options: If your applications are still server-hosted, investigate cloud-based alternatives. Evaluate their functionality and consider the ease of transition—a process that’s often smoother than anticipated.

Computers:

1. Hardware Check: Ensure your computers are relatively new, ideally less than 5 years old.
2. SSD Requirement: Equip your computers with Solid State Drives (SSD) to avoid compatibility issues within the SharePoint environment.
3. Minimum Specifications: Ensure your computers meet the following minimum specifications:
   • Intel i5 processor
   • 256GB SSD
   • 16 GB of RAM

Internet Service:

• Connection Evaluation: Assess your internet connection type:
  • Cable/Coax: If the download speed surpasses the upload speed, it’s likely a coax connection (e.g., 100/10).
  • Fiber: Identifiable by identical download and upload speeds (e.g., 100/100). Fiber connections are optimal for cloud-based environments due to their symmetrical speeds, but high-speed cable connections may suffice depending on specific requirements.

Microsoft 365 License:

• Licensing Assessment: Verify your Microsoft 365 licenses. While most include SharePoint and OneDrive, note that the Business Apps license does not.
• Recommended License: Consider upgrading to Microsoft 365 Business Premium for enhanced cybersecurity benefits. Refer to our Microsoft 365 Business Premium guide for insights into why this license is recommended.

Files:

1. Data Review: Evaluate the data currently stored on your servers.
2. Migration Planning: Identify live data requiring migration to SharePoint. SharePoint provides 1TB of storage by default, with options for expansion if necessary.

Printing:

• Print Management: Establish a solution for print management, especially if currently managed by the server. Printix is a recommended option that we can implement for you.

Technology Partner:

1. Provider Evaluation: Assess your current IT provider’s expertise in SharePoint setup. Maximizing your Microsoft 365 subscription requires proficiency that not all providers possess.
2. Reference Check: Request references from your IT provider for similar projects they’ve successfully completed.
3. Free System Review: Contact us for a complimentary system review, including a SharePoint readiness report.

Other Considerations:

1. Multi-Factor Authentication: Implement Multi-Factor Authentication for enhanced security with your Microsoft 365 license.
2. Scanning Processes: Review your current scanning procedures. Consider scanning directly into SharePoint folders or transitioning to scan-to-email functionality.
3. OneDrive Syncing: Sync all computers to OneDrive for improved file security and accessibility. Enjoy benefits such as file backup and remote access to files from anywhere.

Embark on your SharePoint migration journey with confidence, equipped with the knowledge and guidance provided in this comprehensive guide.