In September 2017, Microsoft announced SharePoint 2019, the latest iteration of their collaboration and information management software, would be available in the second half of 2018. Many organizations have begun looking forward to then, making their plans for when and how to migrate to the new version. While there are many options, we’ve listed three ways to migrate to SharePoint 2019 that you might consider.
1. Start from Scratch
Who doesn’t love a fresh installation? For many businesses, especially those with older versions of SharePoint with lots of old data, it may be best to just start over. For one, you’ll be able to perform your archival and disposition process as you migrate. That is, you’ll be able to say, “This meeting minutes from 2004 probably isn’t necessary anymore” and simply not move the file.
Even if you have some custom solutions or lists, creating new versions of them will allow you to tap into some of the newer features in SharePoint 2019. What was only feasible as a custom web part in SharePoint 2010 may now be an out of the box feature.
2. Database Attach Process
If you’re already in SharePoint 2013 or SharePoint 2016, the good news is, your migration can be a lot simpler. You simply have to create a new farm in the new environment, copy your databases and update service applications, then upgrade your content databases and site collections.
This “simple” process can be complicated by custom solutions and integrations with other systems, so it’s a good idea to get a listing of everything that might break during the migration, and test your migration before it goes live. And, of course, if you’re still in SharePoint 2010, you may have to migrate to a prior version before migrating to the latest using this process.
3. Use a Third Party Tool
For many companies with a lot of data, a third party migration tool might be the best option. There are hundreds of thousands out there, and deciding which is best for you and your data. You might also consider working with a partner like eSoftware Associates to help with the process of migration.
No matter which way you decide to go, it’s important to have a robust plan in place, work with your stakeholders, and understand the components of your environment. Although SharePoint 2019 won’t be available for at least another year, the process of getting ready may take that long. So it’s a good idea to begin now.
If you would like us to help you get ahead in migrating to SharePoint 2019, send us a message and we will gladly talk anytime. We’d love to chat! 1-800-682-0882 or submit an inquiry here