Microsoft SharePoint Online is becoming increasingly popular as more businesses move their operations to the cloud. Over 85% of Fortune 500 companies, as well as over 250,000 smaller businesses, use SharePoint as part of Microsoft Office 365.
It’s easy to see why SharePoint Online is gaining traction. Businesses can use SharePoint Online to benefit from the cloud’s scalability and lower IT costs while still having access to Microsoft’s latest features and capabilities.
However, not all SharePoint Online migrations are successful, particularly those performed without the assistance of a professional. According to an AIIM study, half of all SharePoint migrations are not well connected to other systems, and another study discovered that nearly two out of every three SharePoint migrations are delayed.
The good news is that most of the most common causes of migration failure can be avoided with careful planning involving IT personnel, business teams, and executive leadership. Read on for our top five recommendations to ensure a smooth transition to SharePoint Online.
1. EXTENSIVELY EVALUATE AND ANALYZE YOUR CONTENT VALUE TO YOUR BUSINESS
Before you spend hours moving large amounts of company data, you should first evaluate the business value of your current content by answering the three questions below:
Should this data be moved to SharePoint Online or archived for less money?
Is the organization of this content beneficial to the company?
Should we rearrange our library holdings, redesign our website, or change our security settings?
It is worth noting that making these decisions ahead of time will save time, reduce long-term IT costs, and help your company achieve its business goals by improving information management. We believe it is extremely unusual for an IT team to respond to such inquiries without the participation and input of key stakeholders. As a result, input from executive tea and business representatives is critical in this regard.
2. IDENTIFY POSSIBLE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
SharePoint 2010/2013 and SharePoint Online refer to the same software. However, due to fundamental design differences, moving from on-premise to cloud can be more difficult than expected. Here is an example:
The size and number of files that can be stored in SharePoint Online may differ from those that can be stored on-premises. It is critical to investigate the potential consequences for your business before beginning the migration.
Non-standard code may or may not transfer cleanly to SharePoint Online. Collaborate with operational groups to develop a backup strategy for performing critical business functions without the use of customization, such as Microsoft add-ins.
More available bandwidth will speed up the SharePoint Online migration. However, the inverse is also true. Before you migrate, check with your service provider to see if there are any potential bandwidth restrictions that could slow down your operations.
3. TESTING YOUR SHAREPOINT MIGRATION PLAN
Creating a comprehensive migration plan is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a smooth transition to SharePoint Online. Both the nuances of your organization and the SharePoint specifications should be considered during the planning stage.
Putting together a diligent migration team comprised of IT experts and company representatives is the best way to cover all of your bases. This team should be supported by a professional and reputable third-party consultant or team of consultants with extensive experience leading SharePoint Online migrations in your market sector. A great example is Code Creators Inc., which has been in the market for over ten years and provides seamless migration functions to businesses all over the world.
4. PREPARE YOUR COMPANY FOR CHANGE
Employees’ reactions to the migration to the new system are likely to be mixed, as with any major organizational change. While some people will enthusiastically embrace the change, others will actively oppose it.
To avoid potential roadblocks to user adoption, develop a change management action plan that involves business teams and has strong executive support. Before launching a new system, it is critical to educate users (via demonstrations, showcases, posters, and so on), train them, and provide post-migration support.
5. SELECT A TRUSTED SHAREPOINT MIGRATION COMPANY
Hiring a Microsoft Trusted Implementation Partner improves the chances of a successful SharePoint migration. Code Creators Inc., for example, is a Microsoft Certified Partner and a well-known organization for planning and executing SharePoint migrations.
Contact Code Creators Inc. today to learn how we can help you maximize your company’s SharePoint Online migration from SharePoint 2010.
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