Microsoft SharePoint Migration Services That Minimize Your Downtime

A file server migration to SharePoint Online or On Premise should not be under estimated.  Yes it is just files.  However, the following aspects we focus on heavily during this migration to ensure it is a success:

1. The overall amount of content.  File servers tend to have very large amounts of data.  Does all of it need to move?  Where should it move to in order to keep your active content fresh and easily accessible.
2. What underlying security is in place, if any?  Many file servers have security on folders within folders.  How does  that translate to Microsoft 365 and SharePoint permissions and security?
3. How do users normally find files?  This experience is about to change.  Are your users ready for that change?
4. SharePoint comes with a lot of new features and functionality.  Do your users want all that new functionality?  Or should we disable some of it to get started?
5. Are you as a company ready to support the above questions when they arise after the migration is complete?  Or do you need a company like eSoftware Associates to support those questions initially or on an ongoing basis?

Many times companies start using Office 365 and then realize they might not be structured the best way.  We help companies with the following services:

• Consolidate SharePoint Sites
• Migrate One Office 365 Tenant to Another
• Move Lists and Libraries Between Sites
• Cleanup Content in SharePoint Sites
• Optimize SharePoint, Teams and OneDrive Content

Our team specializes in a SharePoint 2010 migration to SharePoint Online as well as migrating to a newer on premise platform.  SharePoint 2010 is at the end of its life, per Microsoft.  We have been working with the platform since it was first introduced which enables us to know exactly what it takes to migrate to a newer platform.  Some specific SharePoint 2010 features that we have seen with our clients and always look out for are:

1. Site templates that no longer exist
2. SharePoint 2010 workflows
3. Classic UI that might need to be converted to a Modern UI
4. Custom master pages and custom design
5. Visio diagrams based on a task list

SharePoint 2013 was the last major SharePoint edition where Microsoft was trying to add additional services to the platform.  The original intent was to offer more services that could be bought and added to SharePoint 2013 which would further enrich the product.  SharePoint 2013 was also being developed during the inception of SharePoint Online.

Since then, Microsoft and companies everywhere have learned this model created a lot of additional work, errors and confusion.  The additional services were deprecated and removed in SharePoint 2016 and never made it to SharePoint Online.

When migrated SharePoint 2013 to a new edition of SharePoint, we are always looking for SharePoint 2013 specific features including:

• Forefront Identity Manager
• Built-in Excel services and related features
• Power Pivot and Power View BI capabilities
• Tags and Notes
• Special Task Related Features
• Routines that are run using stsadm

SharePoint 2016 is the first SharePoint platform to introduce the modern UI.  You may or may not be using it, but we will have in depth conversations on how to unify the user experience if you are split between the two.  Your SharePoint 2016 migration to SharePoint Online will open up a new world of functionality which can require end user and admin training.  We typically do not recommend migrating from SharePoint 2016 to SharePoint 2019, but happy to discuss the reasons why.

If you are migrating to SharePoint 2019, you must consider many factors.  Information for SharePoint 2019 is inter-mixed with SharePoint Online information.  We highly recommend consulting with SharePoint experts to ensure you fully understand what benefits you are gaining by migrating to SharePoint 2019.

We also specialize in migrating from SharePoint 2019 to SharePoint Online.  There can be a lot of benefits in making this transition including a large reduction in overall IT costs. We will work with your company to do a cost-benefit analysis, if needed, and then fast track through your migration process.

Plenty of companies start using Dropbox to send large files. They then realize they are missing out on many features that come with SharePoint.  Two of the biggest aspects of changing from Dropbox to SharePoint are training and communications.  Users want to know why the switch is being made and what are the benefits when migrating from Dropbox to SharePoint.  Other key factors often include internal and external file sharing and how those will operate in the future.

The G Suite is Googles set of tools that try to stack up with Office 365.  Companies migrate from G Suite to Microsoft 365 for usually 3 main reasons:

1. The companies other tools or customers are reliant on Microsoft.
2. Business apps can be custom tailored using Power Apps.
3. Business automation and integration is much more robust with Power Automate.

There are a lot of tools within the G Suite so it is important to inventory what exactly is being migrated to SharePoint Online.  A strong migration plan is necessary including end user communications and strategic migration paths to minimize business disruption.

Box migrations are similar to Dropbox migrations.  Companies start out with Box and realize that Office 365 offers so much more with Teams, OneDrive, Power Apps and Power Automate.  It is important to have a strong training program and communication plan when migrating from Box to SharePoint Online.

Lotus Notes is one of the older file management platforms.  It can be complex to get information from Lotus Notes to SharePoint, but we have you covered!  One of the hardest aspects is redesigning your file security to align with SharePoint.  We place a strong emphasis on what the desired state of security will be for your company so it is scalable for the future.  It is also important to thoroughly understand all the new SharePoint features and functionality and how compare to what was offered in Lotus Notes.

If you are looking to convert an Excel workbook or application to Microsoft Power Apps, you have found the right company.  We are the only Office 365 company that has a dedicated Microsoft Office development division.  This means we have in-depth knowledge of all the intricacies of Microsoft Excel and how they translate to Office 365, Power Apps and SharePoint.  We also have dedicated SQL experts that can work with you to best manage your company data.   The typical Excel features we analyze when converting to Power Apps or SharePoint are:

1. Custom VBA Macros
2. Complex Formulas
3. Data Types and Data Volume
4. Robust Charting and Dashboard Conversions (typically to Power BI)
5. Data Connections and APIs

Companies are more and more wanting to make web versions of their apps.  We use our team of Microsoft experts to analyze your Microsoft Access app and determine the best approach for making it web friendly.  This includes:

• Converting Access forms to SharePoint forms or Power Apps
• Rebuilding Access queries, VBA and automation using Power Automate
• Restructuring Access tables into SharePoint lists or SQL in Azure tables
• Converting Access reports to highly interactive dashboards using Excel and Power BI which can, of course, be saved to Word or PDF and emailed

Migrating from Google Workspace to SharePoint Online is a strategic move that offers enhanced collaboration, security, and productivity. Our SharePoint expert team ensures a smooth transition with end-to-end encryption and minimal privilege access, maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of your data throughout the process. With our comprehensive support, you can trust us to handle the complexities of migration, allowing you to focus on what you do best. Embrace the future of workplace collaboration with SharePoint Online.