Best Google Workspace (G Suite) to Microsoft 365 Migration Step-by-Step Guide

There are several reputable G Suite to Office 365 migration tools available. However, keep in mind that the technology landscape is constantly changing, and new tools might have emerged since then. Therefore, it's essential to conduct your research and read reviews to find the most up-to-date and suitable tool for your specific migration needs. Here are a few popular migration tools that were widely regarded as effective and user-friendly:

5 Best Google Workspace to Office 365 Migration Tools

1. Aryson G Suite to Office 365 Migration Tool
2. Sysinfo Google Workspace to Office 365 Migration Tool
3. CodeTwo Office 365 Migration
4. Quest On Demand Migration
5. ShareGate

1. Aryson G Suite to Office 365 Migration Tool: Aryson is a well-known provider of cloud migration solutions, and Aryson G Suite to Office 365 Migrator is their tool for moving from G Suite to Office 365. It supports various migration scenarios, including email, calendar, contacts, and documents.

2. Sysinfo Google Workspace to Office 365 Migration Tool: The software offers a comprehensive suite of migration tools, including those for G Suite to Office 365 migrations. Their software assists with mailbox, calendar, and contact migrations, and it includes pre-migration planning and reporting features.

3. CodeTwo Office 365 Migration: CodeTwo provides a user-friendly migration tool to move from G Suite to Office 365. It supports mailbox, calendar, and public folder migrations, and it also offers tools to synchronize Active Directory objects.

4. Quest On Demand Migration: Quest offers a migration tool called On Demand Migration, which helps migrate email, calendars, contacts, and files from G Suite to Office 365. It's a cloud-based solution with various migration options.

5. ShareGate: While ShareGate is well-known for its SharePoint and Microsoft 365 management toolset, it also provides a migration tool for moving from G Suite to Office 365. It offers both pre-migration planning and real-time monitoring features.

G Suite vs Office 365

G Suite and Office 365 are two of the most popular cloud-based productivity suites, offering a range of collaboration and productivity tools for businesses and individuals. Here's a comparison of G Suite (now known as Google Workspace) and Office 365 (now known as Microsoft 365) based on their features and strengths:

1. Email and Productivity Tools:

• Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) excels in its email service, Gmail, which is known for its user-friendly interface, powerful search capabilities, and effective spam filtering. Other productivity tools in Google Workspace include Google Drive for cloud storage and collaboration, Google Docs for word processing, Google Sheets for spreadsheets, Google Slides for presentations, and more.
• Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) offers Microsoft Outlook for email, which integrates well with other Microsoft tools. Its productivity suite includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive for cloud storage, and additional tools like Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration.

2. Collaboration Features:

• Google Workspace emphasizes real-time collaboration, making it easy for multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. Its tools are designed for seamless collaboration, allowing users to share links to files, grant permissions, and edit documents together in real-time.
• Microsoft 365 also offers real-time collaboration features across its suite, especially with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Microsoft Teams provides a robust collaboration platform for chat, video conferencing, and file sharing.

3. Cloud Storage:

• Google Workspace comes with Google Drive, providing 30GB of cloud storage for each user in the Basic plan and more in higher-tier plans.
• Microsoft 365 includes OneDrive, offering 1TB of cloud storage per user in most subscription plans.

4. Integration and Compatibility:

• Microsoft 365 tends to have better integration with Windows-based systems and is often preferred by organizations heavily invested in Microsoft technologies.
• Google Workspace is known for its seamless integration with Google's ecosystem, making it popular among users who heavily rely on Google's services.

5. Pricing:

• Both suites offer a range of plans with different features and pricing levels, catering to various business needs and sizes. Pricing can vary based on the number of users and included features.

6. Security and Compliance:

• Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 take security and compliance seriously, offering various features to protect user data and meet industry regulations.

Ultimately, the choice between G Suite (Google Workspace) and Office 365 (Microsoft 365) depends on your specific needs, existing technology stack, and user preferences. It's essential to evaluate both suites thoroughly and consider how they align with your organization's workflows and collaboration requirements.

Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 Migration Step-by-Step Guide

Migrating from Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) to Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) involves transferring various data, including email, calendar events, contacts, and files, from one platform to another. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you with the migration process:

Step 1: Plan and Prepare

• Evaluate Requirements: Understand your organization's specific needs and requirements for the migration. Identify which data needs to be migrated, the number of users, and any special considerations.
• Choose a Migration Method: Select the appropriate migration method based on your organization's size and needs. Common methods include IMAP migration, third-party migration tools, or a hybrid migration approach.
• Backup Data: Before starting the migration, ensure you have a comprehensive backup of all your Google Workspace data. This backup will serve as a safety net in case any data loss occurs during the migration process.

Step 2: Set Up Microsoft 365 Environment

• Provision Microsoft 365 Accounts: Set up user accounts in Microsoft 365 for all users who will be migrated. Assign licenses as needed.
• Configure DNS: Update your domain's DNS settings to point to Microsoft 365. This step is necessary to ensure that emails are delivered to the correct destination after the migration.

Step 3: Perform the Migration

• Mailbox Migration:
• For small-scale migrations or individual accounts, you can use the IMAP migration method. This method allows you to move email data from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 via the IMAP protocol. You'll need to provide the Gmail server information and user credentials to initiate the migration.
• For larger migrations, consider using a third-party migration tool specifically designed for Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migrations. These tools often offer additional features like data mapping, scheduling, and reporting.
• Calendar and Contacts Migration:
• For calendar and contacts data, third-party migration tools may provide comprehensive solutions to move this data from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365.
• File Migration:
• Google Workspace files can be migrated to Microsoft 365's OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online. Use Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool or third-party migration software such as Aryson G Suite to Office 365 Migrator to handle the file migration.

Step 4: Test and Verify

• Testing: Before completing the migration for all users, conduct testing on a small set of test accounts. Verify that email, calendar events, contacts, and files have been migrated accurately.
• User Acceptance Testing: Involve a group of users in the testing phase to ensure that their data and settings have been migrated correctly.

Step 5: Finalize the Migration

• Perform the Full Migration: Once testing is successful, proceed with the migration for all remaining users.
• Communication: Inform users about the migration schedule, any changes they may encounter, and provide them with instructions or training on using Microsoft 365.
• Monitor: Keep a close eye on the migration process during the final migration to ensure it proceeds smoothly.

Step 6: Post-Migration Activities

• Verify Data: After the migration is complete, verify that all data has been successfully migrated to Microsoft 365.
• Check Permissions: Ensure that user permissions and access rights are correctly set up in Microsoft 365.
• Decommission Google Workspace: Once you are confident that the migration was successful and all data is in Microsoft 365, you can decommission Google Workspace and cancel your subscription.

Step 7: Provide Support and Training

• Support: Offer post-migration support to users who might have questions or encounter issues during their initial use of Microsoft 365.
• Training: If needed, provide additional training to users to familiarize them with the Microsoft 365 environment and its features.

Remember that the migration process may vary based on your organization's unique needs and the tools chosen for migration. It is essential to thoroughly plan, communicate with users, and have a backup plan in case any unexpected issues arise during the migration. Seeking assistance from migration experts or consultants can also be beneficial, especially for larger or more complex migrations.