What is a Cross Tenant migration, and why and when do you need it? Cross-tenant migration refers to the process of moving data, applications, and services from one Microsoft 365 tenant (or organization) to another. Whether due to mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, or strategic decisions, businesses often find themselves in situations where they need to consolidate or reorganize their tenant structures.
The different actors
When it comes to tenant-to-tenant migration within Microsoft 365, several key actors play crucial roles in ensuring a successful transition. Let’s explore them:
Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS): Organizations often collaborate with MCS to plan and execute tenant migrations. Their expertise ensures a smooth transition, addressing complexities and minimizing disruptions1.
Microsoft Partners: These skilled professionals specialize in tenant migrations. They work closely with organizations, offering tailored solutions and leveraging third-party tools for content migration1.
IT Administrators: Within the organization, IT administrators take charge of technical aspects. They oversee user accounts, data integrity, and configuration adjustments during the migration process.
Identity Architects: These architects design the identity framework for the new tenant. They handle user authentication, access permissions, and identity synchronization across tenants.
Data Migration Specialists: These experts focus on moving data—emails, files, SharePoint sites—from the source to the target tenant. They ensure data fidelity and minimal downtime.
Change Management Teams: Communication is key. Change management teams inform stakeholders about the migration, manage expectations, and guide users through the transition.
The different solutions: When it comes to cross-tenant Microsoft 365 migrations, several vendors and solutions can assist you in smoothly transitioning your users’ data. Here are some options:
Microsoft 365 Native Tools: Microsoft provides native tools and interfaces for cross-tenant mailbox and OneDrive migrations.
Third-Party Migration Solutions: Several third-party vendors offer specialized migration tools for Microsoft 365 cross-tenant scenarios. These solutions provide additional features, flexibility, and support.
Some popular vendors include:
Cloudiway:
Cloudiway specializes in cloud migration services, including Microsoft 365. Their platform is one of the most complete solutions and supports Microsoft cross-tenant migrations for mailboxes, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Intune and devices. Cloudiway emphasizes ease of use and efficient migration processes.
AvePoint:
AvePoint offers migration solutions for Microsoft 365, including cross-tenant scenarios. Their tools provide features like Mailbox, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint migrations. AvePoint’s solutions are known for their reliability and comprehensive support.
BitTitan:
BitTitan is known for its MigrationWiz tool, which supports cross-tenant migrations for mailboxes, OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams.
Quest:
Offers solutions like Quest On Demand Migration and Quest On Demand Migration for Email.
SkyKick:
SkyKick provides automated migration tools for Microsoft 365, including cross-tenant scenarios.
ShareGate:
Known for its ShareGate Desktop and ShareGate Migrate tools, which support SharePoint, Teams and OneDrive migrations. They have recently integrated mailbox migration.
CodeTwo:
CodeTwo offers migration solutions for Microsoft 365, including cross-tenant mailbox migrations.
Table of comparison:
| AvePoint | Cloudiway | Microsoft | BitTitan | Quest | Skykick | Avepoint | ShareGate | CodeTwo |
| SAAS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| MailsMaturity | Yes * 2012 | Yes 2022 | Yes *2010 | Yes 2012 | Yes 2010 | Yes 2021 | Yes Beta | Yes 2012 |
| Drives | Yes * | Yes | Yes* | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Maturity | 2012 | 2022 | 2015 | 2015 | AvePoint | 2020 | ||
| SharePoint | Yes | Partial SPMT (On-premises) | No (librairies seulement) | Yes * | No | Yes * | Yes* | No |
| Microsoft Teams | Yes*2018 | No | Yes2020 | Yes | No | Yes*2018 | Yes2021-22 | No |
| Teams Private messages | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Slack | Yes* | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Slack Direct Messages | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Google Chat | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Laptops | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Intune | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| FreeBusy & Galsync | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
* leader
Conclusion:
In the ever-evolving landscape of cloud collaboration, cross-tenant migrations have become a critical undertaking for organizations. Whether due to mergers, acquisitions, or strategic realignments, the need to seamlessly transition data between Microsoft 365 tenants is more prevalent than ever.
Vendor Selection Matters: Choosing the right migration solution is paramount. Evaluate vendors based on factors such as scope of migration, reliability, scalability, support, and ease of use. Consider both native Microsoft tools and third-party offerings.
Preparation Is Key: Properly prepare your source and target tenants. Establish trust relationships, configure identity mapping, and ensure that users are set up correctly in the destination tenant.
Data Integrity and Security: During migration, prioritize data integrity and security. Test thoroughly, monitor progress, and address any issues promptly.
Communication and Change Management: Keep stakeholders informed throughout the process. Effective communication minimizes disruption and ensures a smooth transition for end-users.
Post-Migration Validation: Validate data integrity, permissions, and functionality post-migration. Address any discrepancies promptly.
Remember, cross-tenant migrations are not just about moving data; they impact user productivity, collaboration, and overall business continuity. By following best practices and leveraging the right tools, organizations can navigate this complex journey successfully.