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GUARANTEEING SUCCESS FOR YOUR BUSINESS: MICROSOFT 365 MIGRATION

Microsoft 365 Migration

No matter the size of your organization, cloud-based platforms are essential for your business. In a world that is increasingly mobile and globally connected, these platforms provide the tools you need to get the job done more efficiently and effectively. Two of the most prominent platforms are Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) and Microsoft 365 and it’s important you understand the value of Microsoft 365 migration and how iuvo can help. 

Table of Contents: 

  • What is Microsoft 365?  
  • Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365
  • Importance of a Fast Microsoft 365 Migration 
  • Why Partner with iuvo  
Microsoft 365 Migration

What is Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based subscription service offering industry-standard productivity tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive. It is important for businesses and individuals because it provides a number of benefits, including boosted productivity, improvements to collaboration, reduced operational costs, and enhanced security. 

 

Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 

Google Workspace (formerly G-Suite or Google Suite) and Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) are two of the most widely implemented cloud-based productivity suites. Both platforms offer a wide range of productivity applications for email, calendars, collaboration, and file storage and management. There are some key differences between the two platforms that you should know as you consider migrating to Microsoft 365 from Google Workspace. 

Compliance includes requirements concerning data privacy, security, and governance. While both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 offer features related to compliance, Microsoft 365 has a dedicated workspace called the Microsoft 365 Compliance Center. Specifically designed for compliance, privacy, and risk management, this workspace includes tools to help organizations of any size meet regulatory, legal, and operational regulations.  Additionally, Microsoft provides end to end management of company data, by requiring compliant end user devices such as computers, smart phones, and tablets, to policies with Microsoft 365 that cover the full lifecycle of data.

A Microsoft Office 365 migration makes sense when you consider how popular Microsoft Office productivity software is. While both platforms are relatively easy to use, many users, regardless of industry, location, or business function, are familiar with Microsoft products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc. Microsoft 365 offers a desktop interface familiar to many users and integrates well with other Microsoft tools.

Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 provide robust security features, including data encryption, access control, audit logging, and threat protection. Microsoft 365 steps up with Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) to guard against sophisticated email threats and malware. Additionally, Microsoft Defender for Office 365, a premier email security solution, offers advanced threat detection, effectively countering spear phishing and brand impersonation. Moreover, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint integrates seamlessly with other products in the security center, enhancing overall security posture by correlating signals across the entire suite for more comprehensive protection. For organizations adhering to the strictest security protocols, transitioning from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 represents a strategic enhancement in cybersecurity measures.

Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 provide robust enterprise-quality collaboration and tools. Google Workspace is noted for its relative ease of use regarding real-time collaboration and communication tools. Both platforms include tools to facilitate collaboration and communication among teams of users, but Microsoft 365 includes products that have a wider set of features, especially for collaboration between business entities:

  • Microsoft Teams: This unified communication and collaboration platform combines chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and task management into a single app.
  • Microsoft Outlook: Microsoft Outlook is a time-tested email client that boosts your operations with features for managing calendars, contacts, and tasks.
  • Microsoft SharePoint: This web-based platform supports your collaborative efforts in document management and control.
  • Microsoft OneDrive: OneDrive is a cloud storage service that allows users to store and share files from anywhere. 

Every organization is unique with specific needs and requirements. However, transitioning from G Suite to Microsoft 365 offers significant advantages in four critical areas: compliance, security, user-friendliness, and collaboration/communication.

Importance of a Fast Microsoft 365 Migration 

When it comes to your business, the adage “time is of the essence” proves its worth. When processes are delayed or prolonged, it can negatively impact your productivity, effectiveness, and profitability. Migrating from Google to Microsoft is no exception. 

Microsoft 365 Migration

Emails and other communications are critical components of your operations at every level. You can’t afford to lose time figuring out how to migrate emails to Microsoft 365. Crucial communications between you, your teams, your clients, and other business partners can be lost without a quick, streamlined migration plan. 

A fast and optimized migration plan to Microsoft 365 offers these benefits: 

  • Reduced downtime: Minimizing the time that employees are unable to access their data and applications helps improve productivity and reduce the risk of lost revenue. 
  • Lowered costs: The faster you migrate to a new platform, the lower the costs associated with migration tools and services, as well as downtime. 
  • Improved security: The sooner you can move your data to a platform with advanced security, the better you can defend your systems against unauthorized access.  
  • Upgraded user experience: Moving to a more modern and familiar platform results in improved efficiency and effectiveness for users.

 

We partner with you not only to show you how to migrate from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 but also to create an approach that is tailored to your operational needs and regulatory requirements. 

 

Why Partner With iuvo 

As your partner, we bring expertise and experience to ensure that your Microsoft 365 migration process is as smooth and streamlined as possible. Consider these iuvo advantages: 

At iuvo, we understand the big picture and the details regarding Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migration. We’ve thoroughly documented the migration process, validating the best practices based on the size of your organization: 

  • Email migration: The size and amount of emails stored in Google Workspace is one of the first considerations once you’ve decided to formally migrate to Microsoft 365. We show you how to migrate emails to Microsoft 365 as part of a detailed procedure with a clear understanding of your Active Directory setup. 
  • Launching Microsoft 365: Our procedure is built on the assumption that you don’t currently have a Microsoft 365 environment or Exchange Server. We can help you explore your options for creating a Microsoft 365 tenancy, including consulting with a licensing specialist to help you eliminate inefficiencies and reduce expenses in the Microsoft 365 migration process.  

A successful migration requires thorough knowledge about where you’re going and where you’re coming from. As your partner in IT platform solutions, we understand both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. We know the best practices and recommended approaches for making the transition and understanding the particulars of both platforms, including workarounds and temporary fixes. 

Your business enterprise is subject to regulatory compliance which is critical to the way you operate. We work with you to ensure your Microsoft 365 platform meets the requirements of any compliance program, including the following: 

  • Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC): Required for contractors with the United States Department of Defense to protect uncontrolled unclassified information 
  • Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX): Related to federal law requirements for companies regarding financial reporting and internal financial controls 
  • Good Practice Regulations (GxP): Concerning regulatory practices for industries that develop, manufacture, distribute, or store regulated products 

Microsoft Azure is a platform for building, deploying, and managing applications and data in the cloud. It powers Microsoft 365 with the needed infrastructure and support services. Tools such as Azure Active Directory, Azure Backup, Azure Monitor, and Azure Security Center can be implemented to manage Microsoft 365 accounts, data, and workloads. You can also use Azure to create and deploy custom applications to enhance Microsoft 365’s capabilities. At iuvo, we can help you migrate your IT solutions to Azure for overall improved efficiency 

When it comes to migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, iuvo stands ready to help your business move to the next level in the following aspects: 

  • Remote data accessibility: The biggest advantage of cloud computing is the ability for your teams to access data whenever and wherever they need it. Whether you require remote work opportunities for collaborations among teams in different locations, we can help you develop a plan that includes best practices for data protection and security. 
  • Customized solutions: At iuvo, we know that no two clients will have the same objectives and requirements. We leverage our knowledge and experience of Microsoft Cloud systems and resources to develop a unique plan that works for your organization. 
  • High internal standards: We are continuously creating, updating, and validating our own set of best practices to make sure our clients get the most out of Microsoft 365 and its upgraded features in security, compliance, and collaboration. This includes continuous refinement of our tools and approaches regarding Azure Information Protection, optimizing the Microsoft Secure Score, and managing insider risk. We also extend our internal quality improvement to the use of Sentinel, a security information and event management (SIEM) tool from Microsoft that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze security data. 

 

With iuvo as your trusted partner, you can focus on what truly matters for your business enterprise. Contact us and let’s get started on the Microsoft 365 migration strategy that’s right for you and your organization today. 

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Thinking About Migrating From Google's G-Suite to Microsoft 365?

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Why iuvo?

iuvo’s seasoned IT experts have dedicated years to learning the ins and outs of all things cloud. Whether you are migrating applications over to the cloud, or starting fresh, we’re versed in the industry knowledge needed to make sure your cloud solution is architecture properly to meet your business needs.  Our knowledge is expansive, and we make sure to align our cloud service recommendations with your business goals while keeping future expansion in mind.
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