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How to Move from On-Premises Systems to the Cloud
Question details
The user needs to understand how to migrate their existing infrastructure to cloud services, specifically regarding administrator roles, user identity management, and resource handling.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Planning a business infrastructure migration from local, on-premises servers to a cloud-based environment.
- Observed behavior
- Seeking a clear strategy on whether existing administrators can manage the cloud environment and how existing identities are synchronized or fully migrated.
Before beginning your migration, audit your current on-premises infrastructure, user directories, and Exchange mailboxes to identify which assets will move to the cloud and which will remain local.
Determine Your Cloud Migration and Hybrid Strategy
Assess your business systems and identity configurations to choose between a full cloud cutover or a hybrid migration approach.
The migration approach heavily depends on the specific services involved and your organization's compliance or operational needs. You can choose to synchronize identities to maintain a unified login experience or fully migrate resources to eliminate on-premises hardware.
Consult the official Microsoft documentation tailored for moving business systems from on-premises environments to the cloud to ensure all prerequisites are met.
Decide whether existing identities and resources will be synchronized using directory sync tools or fully migrated. New administrators are not strictly required, as existing admins can be granted appropriate cloud management roles.
If you are moving Exchange mailboxes, follow Microsoft's hybrid deployment guides to allow seamless routing and management between on-premises servers and Exchange Online.
For platform-specific guidance or troubleshooting complex architectural designs, engage with experts in the official Microsoft Q&A community.
Simplify Your Software Deployment with WPS Office
While you are transitioning your infrastructure to the cloud, consider optimizing your software costs by deploying WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring your teams remain productive throughout the migration process.
- 1. Deploy WPS Office across devices: Download and install WPS Office on your users' computers during or after the cloud migration phase.
- 2. Connect to your cloud storage: Log in to WPS Cloud or connect your preferred third-party cloud storage service to synchronize files across the organization.
- 3. Open existing documents seamlessly: Open and edit your existing .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files directly in WPS Office without losing formatting or macros.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to hire new administrators when moving to the cloud?
No. Your existing on-premises administrators can be assigned Global Administrator or other specific administrative roles within your new cloud environment, allowing them to manage both local and cloud services.
Can cloud services be managed through my existing on-premises environment?
Yes. By utilizing directory synchronization tools and establishing a hybrid deployment, you can continue to manage user identities and specific services from your existing on-premises active directory.
What happens to our existing user identities during a Microsoft 365 migration?
Existing user identities can either be fully migrated to the cloud or synchronized. Synchronization links the on-premises identity to the cloud identity, allowing users to maintain the same passwords and sign-in experience.
Should I choose a full migration or a hybrid deployment?
A hybrid deployment is recommended for larger organizations that need to migrate over an extended period or must keep specific data on-premises for compliance. A full migration is ideal for smaller businesses looking to rapidly decommission their local servers.
