Migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365: What You Need to Know

Thinking about switching from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365? It can be a smooth, stress-free process with the right planning and support. Learn the key steps to make your migration a success.

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If you're thinking about moving from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, you're not alone. Many businesses consider this switch at some point, especially as their team grows, their needs change, or they want to return to familiar tools such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.

But this isn't something you want to rush into; moving platforms takes planning. It's not just about copying emails and files; it's about making sure your business keeps running smoothly during and after the transition. That's where we come in.

We'll walk you through what goes into a smooth migration and why working with a Technology Solutions Partner like us makes the whole process much less stressful.

Start With the Why

Before making the switch, it's worth taking a moment to think about why you're moving in the first place.

A lot of businesses move to Microsoft 365 because it's familiar. Tools such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint have been around for decades, and most staff already know how to use them. Microsoft 365 also offers a more integrated desktop experience for those who prefer working outside a browser.

Then there's Microsoft 365 Copilot, a feature many businesses want to explore. It's like having a digital assistant inside your Office apps, helping you quickly write, summarize, and analyze content. If that sounds like something your team could benefit from, it's worth factoring into your decision.

Do You Have a Deadline?

Sometimes there's a bit of urgency behind the decision.

Maybe your current Google Workspace license is about to expire, or maybe you're merging with another company that already uses Microsoft 365. Or perhaps you're restructuring and want to standardize your systems. Whatever the reason, knowing if you're working toward a deadline helps shape the plan.

If you have a date in mind, we can build the timeline backwards to make sure the move happens in time with no loose ends.

The Discovery Phase

Before we move anything, we take the time to understand what you've got.

This step is called discovery, and it's all about looking under the hood of your current Google Workspace setup. We check things such as:

  1. What apps and services you're using.
  2. Whether any tools or integrations depend on Google-specific features.
  3. What needs to be migrated, such as emails, files, calendars, and contacts.
  4. Whether there are any gaps between what you currently use and what Microsoft 365 offers.

Sometimes, there are tools or plugins in Google Workspace that don't have a direct match in Microsoft 365. If that's the case, we'll look at alternatives or workarounds that keep your business running the way you want.

Do Some Spring Cleaning First

Moving is always a good excuse to tidy up, and that applies to digital moves, too.

Over the years, inboxes and file drives can fill up with old, irrelevant stuff. Before migrating, we recommend reviewing what's actually worth keeping. It's not about deleting things randomly but about being deliberate.

We can help identify things such as:

  1. Mailboxes for former staff that no longer need to be migrated.
  2. Old file shares with outdated data.
  3. Duplicate files or folders that can be consolidated.
  4. Cleaning up beforehand makes the migration faster, less costly, and more focused.

Test With a Small Group First

Rather than moving everyone at once, it's a good idea to first test things with a few users; this is your pilot group.

They'll help spot any issues before the full migration. That includes missing data, login hiccups, or user training needs. We can adjust the plan based on their feedback so things go more smoothly for the wider team.

This testing phase is often where small oversights are caught and fixed before they become problems.

Move the Data

Once everything's ready, it's time to migrate.

This includes:

  1. Emails, calendars, and contacts.
  2. Google Drive files into OneDrive or SharePoint.
  3. User accounts and settings.
  4. Shared drives or team folders.

We'll handle this carefully and communicate with your team throughout the process so they know what's happening and when. Most migrations are done outside of business hours to minimize disruption.

Help Your Team Settle In

After the move, we don't just leave you to figure things out.

We provide onboarding support to help your team get comfortable with the new setup. That might mean running a short training session, sharing how-to guides, or offering helpdesk support for the first few weeks.

We'll also be around if anything doesn't behave the way it should. Our goal is to make sure your team doesn't just cope but gets the most out of Microsoft 365 from day one.

Let's Talk About Your Migration

If you're considering moving from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365, the best time to plan is before things become urgent. Whether you've already made the decision or you're just weighing it up, we're here to help.

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Moving from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 is more than just shifting data. It is about making the transition without breaking workflows or frustrating your team. We have helped businesses make this move cleanly and confidently, and we can help you do the same. Let’s get ahead of the chaos and build your plan before it becomes urgent.