Microsoft Office 365 has become a popular choice for small and medium businesses (SMEs) due to its low upfront costs, simple licensing system, and cloud-based applications. One of the biggest advantages of Migrating to Office 365. However, before making the switch to Exchange Online, SMEs need to consider several factors to ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of the migration.
The first consideration is the current email setup of the organization. If the company is already using Microsoft Office, it is likely using Microsoft Outlook for email. This provides the most options for planning the migration to Exchange Online. However, if the organization is using a different email solution, it may affect the migration options available.
Another important consideration is the version of Office being used. Ideally, all users should have Office 2010 or a newer version. Any machines running an older version of Office may need to be upgraded or replaced. Office 2007 may allow for full data migration, but any version before that cannot connect to Office 365, meaning data migration is not possible.
It is also essential to consider other apps or devices that rely on email to function. For example, some scanners and printers may rely on email link-up. These dependencies should be accounted for in the migration plan to avoid complications.
A switch to Exchange Online also means new security considerations. Exchange Online offers its own antispam and antivirus solutions, which may make it unnecessary to continue using the current email security suite. However, users may have built up custom block or whitelist settings, so data migration is necessary. SMEs should also consider cloud-based security products to supplement Exchange security features. Additionally, data loss prevention (DLP) compliance is critical for SMEs, and business and premium Office 365 packages offer different levels of DLP and compliance features.
Another important consideration is the retention of existing features and the implementation of new ones. The migration process may result in data loss, such as autocomplete files, email signatures, and personal storage. Therefore, it is important to back up this data to prevent it from being lost. SMEs should also take advantage of the migration to evaluate their email service and identify areas for improvement.
Moreover, if you choose a good service provider they can help you with hosting a secure Cloud Hosted Desktop which makes it easier for its user to access data from anywhere and at any time. Apps4rent service provider can not only help you with seamless migration and hosting services including QuickBooks Enterprise Hosting but also provide optimum uptime for your server with 24x7 customer support for your organization.