Microsoft Office 365 offers a wide range of benefits, including lower costs, more predictable IT budgeting, superior functionality, increased productivity and flexible deployment. However, when moving your workforce services from an on-premises solution to either a hybrid or cloud environment there are a number of key factors that must be considered for a successful transition:
• Security. Features such as Data Loss Protection (DLP) and encryption are available to protect private and sensitive data, including for users under the auspices of eDiscovery.
• Identity. While most identity requirements are consistent with Active Directory, some adjustments may be necessary to bring all settings into alignment.
• Business Resiliency. Business resiliency features are built in, however, on-premises infrastructure may need updates to support cloud resiliency.
• Network Readiness. Network quality is critical, so calculation of anticipated workloads must be done correctly and capacity adjusted accordingly.
• Migration Prep. Discovering sources of content and choosing which to migrate, integrate or retire requires a highly detailed methodology.
• Exceptions. Some content will require special handling or have migration restrictions, some might simply be incompatible with Office 365. Best to discover and segregate these exceptions in advance.
• Add-Ons. It’s best to identify in advance applications that will need remediation or replacement of third-party add-ons.
• IT Changes. The move to cloud-based services means learning a whole new way of managing the business for IT. Training and communication are key.