Migrating Exchange 2013 to Office 365 is a challenging task for many users. Both platforms have same developer, still it is a complicated process. Thus, migration from Exchange on-premises to Office 365 needs careful planning and systematic implementation.
Multiple Options to Migrate Exchange 2013 to Office 365
For Exchange Server users, there are three types of migration techniques that can be opted to migrate mailboxes from Exchange to Office 365 environment. Let us discuss them one by one.
Express Migration
It can be used when the count of mailbox is less than 2000. The migration process can be initiated from Exchange Admin Center i.e. EAC. But, it could take lot of time to migrate 2000 mailboxes, so try to move 150 mailboxes or less than the same. Express Migration technique is suitable for Exchange 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2013 editions.
Staged Migration
Staged migration is useful when the count of mailbox is more than 2000. It can be used if you want to migrate Exchange 2013 mailbox to Exchange 2007.
Hybrid Migration
Hybrid Migration preserves both online and on-premises mailbox and gradually moves Exchange data to Office 365. It is recommended to use Hybrid migration always if you want to migrate mailbox of Exchange to Office 365. One of the best option for Exchange 2013 to Office 365 migration.
How to Migrate Exchange 2013 to Office 365?
Hybrid Migration has been proved as one of the best adoptable method to migrate Exchange 2013 to Office 365 and capable to move large count of mailboxes in batches.
Step 1. Check checkbox of Mailbox Replication Proxy Service to enable it on Client Server Access
Before executing hybrid migration, it is advised to create migration end points. A migration end point has login details as well as connectivity settings of the source Exchange Server. Now, follow the steps to know how to enable Mailbox Replication Proxy Service i.e. MRSProxy service.
- Open EAC, navigate to Server and then Virtual Directories.
- Select Client Access Server >> EWS virtual directory and press Edit.
- Check the checkbox of MRSProxy and enable it >> click Save.
Step 2. Migrate Exchange 2013 Account to Office 365
Open EAC, go to Office 365 tab, the remote move migration wizard that will help to transfer mailboxes from on-premises Exchange to Office 365 and vice-versa. Follow the below steps to perform the same:
- Open EAC >> Office 365 tab.
- Go to Recipients, click Migration and press Add+ and choose the option Migrate to Exchange Online.
- From Select a migration type page, select Remove move migration and click Next. It will redirect to Select the users page.
- Press Add+. Here, you can select on-premises Exchange users mailbox that you want to migrate into Office 365. Hit Add button, click OK and then press Next.
- Now, on Enter the Windows user account credential screen, provide credentials of on-premises administrator account.
- Make sure that FQDN on-premises Exchange Server listed on Confirm the migration endpoint screen, click Next.
- Lastly, at Start the batch screen, select single recipient to receive the output report after completing batch process. Check the box of the Automatically complete the migration batch box and click New.
The steps of hybrid migration will help to migrate Exchange 2013 to Office 365. However, non-technical users will find the process quite lengthy as well as complex. Moreover, inappropriate steps execution can cause data loss. Thus, it is better to make use of third party solution i.e. Exchange Migrator which will directly batch migrate Exchange multiple accounts to Office 365 with emails, contacts, calendar and many more other items including user mailbox, archive mailbox and public folder.