Many enterprises have files stored in a myriad of legacy IT systems. This could be network drives / file shares, legacy content management systems, Box, DropBox, etc. Each system costs money to maintain and support, and there is an opportunity reduce operating costs and risks by replacing the legacy IT system with Microsoft Office 365 (M365).
We recommend implementing Office 365 Compliance features before you start migrating legacy files to Office 365. This way you have the foundation in place with required information protection and governance before moving a lot of new files into the platform. Once you have this in place, you have then opportunities to fast-track cloud migration to reduce costs and risks by sunsetting legacy systems. Below are some ways to achieve this as fast as possible.
Lift-and-shift migration from on-premise SharePoint and network file shares / shared drives:
Use free SharePoint Migration Tool to transfer files from SharePoint 2010-2016, network, and local file shares
Post-migration processing with Office 365 compliance features to identify sensitive information and records based on metadata, keywords, and machine learning.
Lift-and-shift migration from cloud file storage to M365:
Use free Microsoft Mover to transfer files from Box, Google, DropBox, etc.
Post-migration processing with Office 365 compliance features to identify sensitive information and records based on metadata, keywords, and machine learning.
Lift-and-shift migration from content management systems to M365:
Use system export/import function or APIs to get files from legacy systems to M365
Post-migration processing with Office 365 compliance features to identify sensitive information and records based on metadata, keywords, and machine learning.
Please note that the above options focus on a fast migration, not a perfect migration with metadata mapping, clean-up of access control, etc. To achieve this, you will then benefit from using a migration tool from vendors like AvePoint or Quest.
Feel free to contact us if you want to explore ways to reduce costs and risks by fast-tracking your cloud migration.