Exchange is a kind of on-premise utility that provides an on-premise server to allow users to interact with each other at work. However, for using this, users need to have a technical support person that could manage the server. Contrarily, that is not the case with the Office 365 cloud. Moreover, it also provides the users an all-time and from anywhere accessible cloud space to the users. Above mentioned points are the reasons that users are shifting to Office 365 utility and looking for Office 365 migration tools. However, the more the advantages of using the Office 365 utility are:
- Here users do not need to develop the on-premise server.
- This truly enables users to focus on the main side of the business.
- Office 365 can be used on-go from anywhere and at any time.
- It essentially comes with important utilities of Microsoft that prove beneficial to the users.
- The Subscription fee of the utility is so flexible that it fits every business organization.
So, looking after these benefits of Office 365, users look to migrate Exchange to Office 365. Here we’re going to talk about two very common methods, one is the Cutover method, and the other is using the Office 365 migration tool.
Method1: Cutover Migration Method
The Cutover method is a native way of executing the Exchange to Office 365 migration. However, the users using this method to migrate Exchange to Office 365 need to fulfill these requirements first:
- Users must have Outlook Anywhere configured to their Exchange. However, it is automatically configured for the Exchange versions starting from 2013.
- Users must also possess an SSL certificate from a trusted certification authority.
- Users need to set Full Access and Receive As permissions.
- Make sure the mailboxes that have to be migrated are not hidden from the address lists.
- Disable Unified Messaging.
- Create Security Groups and clean up delegates.
After fulfilling all these prerequisites, users can go as discussed down below for Office 365 migration.
Procedure:
Step1: Verify you own the on-premises Exchange domain
- Sign in to the Office or Microsoft 365 account.
- Select Setup > Domains.
- Then click Add domain to execute the domain wizard.
- The Add a domain Page will appear, type your on-premise Server’s domain name and hit Next.
- On the Verify Domain page, select sign in to GoDaddy or Add a TXT record instead, depending on your DNS records manager.
- The TXT record usually verifies the ownership; follow the instructions provided by your DNS hosting provider.
- Add TXT or MX record and wait for 15 minutes to proceed ahead.
- The Office 365 Domain wizard will appear; select done, verify now, and in the appearing verification page, hit Finish.
Now, you have verified the on-premise Exchange organization domain ownership and thus are ready to move ahead with email migration.
Step2: Connect Microsoft or Office 365 to your email system
- Now visit Exchange Admin Center.
- In it, proceed to Recipients > Migration.
- Choose More(…) > Migration endpoints.
- Here on the Migration Endpoints page, select New+.
- On the Select the Migration Endpoint Type page, select Outlook Anywhere > Next.
- Now on the Enter On-Premises Account Credentials page, enter information in the following boxes:
- Email address: email addresses of those mailboxes that users want to migrate.
- Username with privileges: Type the username for an account having admin permissions. Office 365 will use this account to detect the migration endpoint and to test the permission assigned.
- The password of an account with privileges: enter the password of the username entered just before.
- Hit Next and go as follows:
- The connection settings will be displayed if Microsoft 365 successfully connects to the source server. Here choose Next.
- If the test connection isn’t successful, then you need to provide the following information:
- Exchange Server: Provide the Fully Qualified Domain Name.
- RPC proxy server: Enter the FQDN for the RPC proxy server for Outlook Anywhere. It is the same as the URL of the Outlook Web app and proceeds.
- Now on the Enter General Information page, enter a Migration Endpoint Name leaving the other boxes empty, and hit New to create a migration endpoint.
Step3: Create the Cutover Migration Batch
- Again enter the Exchange admin center and proceed to Recipients > Migration.
- Select New+ > Migrate Exchange Online.
- Select a Migration Type page, select Cutover Migration > Next.
- The Migration Endpoint Information will appear, verify the information and select Next.
- On the Move Configuration page, insert the name of the migration batch and hit Next.
- Now choose to start the batch automatically or manually.
- Choose New to create the migration batch.
Step4: Start the Cutover Migration Batch
- Now, again enter the Exchange Admin Center, then Recipients, and then Migration.
- In the migration, dashboard select the batch to start.
- If the migration batch starts successfully, its status will be shown Syncing.
This process can take up to 72 hours before you proceed to delete the Cutover Migration batch.
Now visit Exchange Admin Center > Recipients > Migration; select the batch and click on Delete.
Method2: The Automated Exchange to Office 365 Migration Tool
Users may have seen a native Cutover method to migrate Exchange to Office 365, but it is a typical and time-consuming process. It requires users to wait for 72+ hours to finalize the migration batch. As to ease and make the effective migration, users must use the automated tool. The Shoviv Exchange to Office 365 Migration tool is one of the best tools, where users need to proceed as follows:
Quick Steps:
Phase1: Add Exchange Mailboxes
Step1: Open the tool and click on Exchange Server Mailboxes from the left pane.
Step2: Enter the credentials and hit Next, select the mailboxes, and press Finish.
Phase2: Connect to Office 365 for Export
Step3: Now click on Office 365 from the ribbon bar, deal with appearing sub-folders, and consequently hit Next.
Step4: Now, enter the credentials of Office 365 and hit Next.
Step5: Perform Mailbox Mapping and proceed.
Step6: Perform Folder Mapping and email translation and hit Next.
Step7: The process will start and hit Finish when it ends.
The Final Discussion:
The two methods are discussed in the article for Exchange to Office 365 migration task. Out of the two, the native Cutover method is a time taking and complex process in which users even need to put extra effort and time. However, the Automated Shoviv Exchange to Office 365 Migration tool provides users a secure, flawless, and speedy Exchange to Office 365 migration. Moreover, if users like to check this tool can also use its FREE demo version for fair analysis before purchasing it.