How does switching to Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) work?

Are you planning to work (together) in the Cloud with Microsoft 365? Switching to Microsoft 365 is a sensible choice, because working online with this service offers organisations a wide range of options. Consequently, you can rest assured that your work environment and applications are always up to date. This environment is constantly evolving, thereby continually offering new opportunities to optimise work processes. Data storage in the Cloud is inexpensive and there are practically no disruptions. Of course, you have 24/7 access to documents on all of your devices if so desired. Lastly, Microsoft 365 offers advanced made-to-measure security.

Do you want to work in the Cloud? Then this all starts with a move. What does a Microsoft 365 Implementation and Migration entail?

Step 1: Decide what you need

Microsoft has several packages on offer. In order to decide which Microsoft 365 package is suitable for your organisation, it is important to determine beforehand what you need. It may be useful to answer the following questions:

• Which prerequisites does the IT environment need to meet?
• Which standards does the security have to meet?
• Which applications do you want to be able to work with?
• Are there applications that are currently on your own computer or server that need to be moved to the cloud as well?
• What kind of equipment do you want to be able to work with?
• Does any equipment need to be remotely secured and managed?

Once this is clear, you can decide which Microsoft 365 subscription best suits your organisation.

Step 2: Choose a manager

Does your organisation not have its own IT department or does that department not have any experience with Microsoft 365 packages? Then choose an experienced manager who is the right fit for your organisation. Pricing obviously plays a role in your choice, as do the support, experience and range of services that are provided. Your manager can tell you exactly which subscription is best suited to your preferences and requirements. They will be able to help guide the migration and implementation of Microsoft 365 from start to finish. All this creates a sense of calm and confidence.

Step 3: Make an inventory of the current IT environment

The manager starts by drawing up an inventory of the current IT environment. Interviews with a select number of people in the organisation will be used to map out exactly what the environment is currently made up of and what the future environment will look like. Consider, for example, accounts, applications, file locations, rights, equipment, connections, etc.

Step 4: Prepare employees

This is also the moment to start actively involving all employees. People often feel uneasy about change. Once employees are properly prepared for the upcoming transition, the new way of working will be adopted more easily. A kick-off session can be organised during which everyone gets better acquainted with Microsoft 365 and can also discover for themselves the advantages it has to offer. The practical side of working with it can be introduced in a follow-up session. Specialised trainers can prepare your employees within a demo environment. In short, there are plenty of opportunities to make the transition as straightforward as possible for employees.

Step 5: Setting up a new environment

The manager sets up the new environment. Accounts are created, multiple layers of security are configured, and applications and file locations are assigned to the designated users. This is all in line with the previously discussed preferences and requirements of the organisation.

Step 6: Moving

After all the preparation, it is time to make the move. During the move, you will be unavailable for a brief period of time and employees will momentarily not be able to access their email and files. Everything is carefully tested and if all goes well, you can get to work in the new environment.

Step 7: Guiding employees

Employees will still have questions about the new way of working, especially during the initial period following the move. It is a good idea to have a point of contact whom they can turn to for their questions. Technical support is usually provided by the IT manager.

Switching to Microsoft 365 with TinkConnect

Would you like to switch to Microsoft 365 without any problems? In that case, TinkConnect is just the right party for you. As an experienced office automation specialist, Cloud specialist and Microsoft Silver Partner, TinkConnect can guide your organisation through the switch to Microsoft 365 from start to finish, from customised design to managing the digital work environment. The implementation and migration, the security, the set-up of work processes and the day-to-day support for employees are all included in this. In addition to standard subscriptions, we offer a business Microsoft 365 back-up, training and coaching on the work floor, and a comprehensive range of IT management services for your organisation. We make the switch a pleasant experience for every organisation and employee.

Would you like to know more about switching to Microsoft 365 via TinkConnect? Call +31 85 77 35 333 or email sales@tinkconnect.com. Our specialists are happy to tell you more about the options!