How to Migrate from Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365

Last updated on September 4th, 2023 at 12:05 am

Migrating from Hosted Exchange server to Microsoft 365 (Office 365) is a popular decision many mid-sized organization are taking these days. However, the migration can become tedious, for those new to the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Today, we will walk you through the entire process of migrating from Hosted Exchange server to Microsoft 365 using the step-by-step guide below.

Preparing for the Migration

→ Assessing Your Current Environment: The first step is to thoroughly evaluate your existing Hosted Exchange environment. Identify the number of mailboxes, distribution lists, shared resources, and public folders. Understanding your current setup will help you plan the migration process efficiently.

→ Creating a Migration Team: Form a dedicated migration team comprising IT professionals, key stakeholders, and end-users. Collaborating with various departments ensures that the migration aligns with the organization’s goals and minimizes disruption during the transition. Inform your end-users about the upcoming migration and provide them with necessary training on using Microsoft 365 applications.

→ Identifying Migration Goals and Objectives: Define your migration goals and objectives. Outline the desired outcomes, such as improved collaboration, reduced costs, and increased data security. Clear goals provide direction throughout the migration process.

→ Backing Up Data: Before proceeding with migration, ensure that you have a comprehensive backup of all critical data in your Hosted Exchange environment. Backups gives you a peace of mind in case of any unexpected issues during the migration process.

→ Configuring DNS Records: To ensure seamless email routing, configure the necessary DNS records to point to Microsoft 365. This step helps guarantee that incoming emails reach the correct mailboxes after the migration.

Choosing the Right Migration Method

1.) Cutover Migration: Ideal for smaller organizations, cutover migration involves moving all mailboxes and data from Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365 in a single batch. This method is relatively straightforward but will cause downtime during the migration process.

2.) Staged Migration: Suitable for medium-sized organizations, staged migration moves mailboxes and data in batches. This method offers greater control over the migration process, reducing downtime and enabling users to access emails during the transition.

3.) Hybrid Migration: Large organizations with complex requirements benefit from hybrid migration. It involves maintaining both Hosted Exchange and Microsoft 365 environments simultaneously, allowing for gradual migration and seamless coexistence.

Executing the Migration Process

Initiating the Migration: For seamless migration, we recommend using a professional tool like Stellar Converter for OST. This software migrates from Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365, ensuring a successful and smooth transition. The benefit of using such a tool is conversion of OST files to PST with complete data integration, without any data loss. It is a hassle free conversion of OST data from Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365 even if you have several purged mailboxes. The software can export the PST file into Live Exchange Server using the Admin credentials.

Migrating using Stellar Converter for OST

Migrating from Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365 with Stellar OST to PST Converter

#Step1:) Installing Stellar OST to PST Converter: Download and install Stellar OST to PST Converter on your system. Launch the software to begin the migration process.

#Step2:) Adding OST File(s): Click on the “Add File” button in the software’s main interface to add the OST file(s) you wish to convert to PST format. The software also provides options to search for OST files if their location is unknown.

#Step3:) Previewing and Selecting Data for Migration: Once the OST file is loaded, Stellar OST to PST Converter displays its entire content, including emails, contacts, calendar entries, and other elements. Preview the data to verify its integrity and select the items you want to migrate.

#Step4:) Choosing the PST Conversion Option: Select the desired PST conversion option based on your migration requirements:

#Step5:) Convert and Save Converted PST to Office 365: Migrate the OST data directly to your Microsoft 365 account.

#Step6:) Save Converted PST Locally: Save the converted PST file to a local destination for later migration.

#Step7:) Mapping OST Mailbox to Office 365 Account: In the case of direct migration to Microsoft 365, Stellar OST to PST Converter prompts you to map each OST mailbox to the respective Office 365 account.

#Step8:) Beginning the Migration: Initiate the migration process by clicking the “Convert” button. Stellar OST to PST Converter swiftly converts the OST data to PST format or directly to your Microsoft 365 account.

Additional Features of Stellar OST to PST Converter

⦁ Saving to Multiple Formats: Stellar OST to PST Converter allows you to save the OST data in various formats, such as PST, EML, MSG, RTF, HTML, and PDF. This flexibility provides more options for data management and access.

⦁ OST File Recovery: In cases where OST files are corrupt or inaccessible, Stellar OST to PST Converter also includes a powerful OST recovery feature to regain access to your data before migration.

Post-Migration Best Practices

• Provide Post-Migration Support: Offer post-migration support to end-users to address any queries or issues they may encounter while adapting to the new Microsoft 365 environment.

• Optimize Microsoft 365 Settings: Leverage the full potential of Microsoft 365 by configuring settings to align with your organization’s unique requirements. Customize security settings, collaboration features, and user permissions for optimal productivity.

• Monitor Performance and User Feedback: Regularly monitor the performance of Microsoft 365 and solicit user feedback to identify areas of improvement. Incorporate user feedback to enhance user experience and boost productivity.

GET STELLAR OST to PST Converter

Final Conclusion

Migrating from Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365 is a critical step in enhancing collaboration and productivity within an organization. Stellar OST to PST Converter simplifies this migration process by providing a reliable and efficient solution to convert OST files to PST format or directly migrate to Microsoft 365 accounts. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive data migration capabilities, Stellar OST to PST Converter ensures a seamless transition without compromising data integrity.

By following the step-by-step guide in this post, you can confidently migrate from Hosted Exchange to Microsoft 365, enabling your organization to fully leverage the benefits of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Embrace the power of Stellar OST to PST Converter for a smooth and successful migration, making the transition to Microsoft 365 a rewarding experience for your organization.