Many businesses around the world are migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 because of the advanced features and security compliance options M365 provides. Businesses and organizations find M365 more scalable, reliable, and efficient in terms of compliance, performance, and security.
At Medha Cloud IT Services, we specialize in helping organizations make this transition seamlessly. In this article, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to successfully perform Google Workspace mailbox, calendar, and contact migration to Microsoft 365.
Why Migrate to Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 offers certain unparalleled benefits:
Advanced security and compliance features: Microsoft 365 comes with special functionality that helps keep your data secure and will ensure that legal standards are maintained. It offers storage, data loss prevention, and access control. It allows an organization to become compliant with industry regulations in order to manage sensitive information safely.
Advanced Productivity Tools: When you subscribe to Microsoft 365, you get to have the latest versions of such famous tools as Word, Excel, and Teams. These apps continuously update themselves with new features for easier creation, analysis, and collaboration. They are designed to be faster and more efficient in everyday activities.
Easier collaboration because of integrated solutions: Microsoft 365 puts all your tools right where you need them, so teamwork is easier than ever in one integrated work experience. Share files, chat, or video conference-everything works together to let your team work together in real time, no matter where they are in the world. You’ll make quicker decisions and projects will flow better.
These merits make M365 a better choice for companies wanting to enhance their operational efficiency and data security. Next, we’ll explore the step-by-step migration process from Google Workspace to M365.
Step 1: Pre-Migration Requirements
Following are the prerequisites required before the actual start of the migration process:
1.1 Creation of Mail Routing Subdomains
To prevent discontinuation of mail during migration, subdomains are to be created from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 (e.g. info.medhacloud.xyz)
Create, if needed for fallback from M365 to Google Workspace ( e.g., help.medhacloud.com)
Set up DNS records to allow routing: MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
1.2 Google Cloud Platform Permissions Configuration
In the Google Cloud Console, select Sign in and add your migration administrator with the following roles:
Project Creator
Service Account Creator
These are used in order for project creation, service accounts, and API configuration of Gmail, Calendar, and Contacts.
1.3 Users Provisioning in Microsoft 365
Provision all users of M365 with their primary email address, such as user@medhacloud.xyz.
Step 2: Configure Google Workspace to Migrate Manually
2.1 Setup a Service Account
Log in to the Google Cloud Console as a super administrator.
Create a new service account and generate a private key, which will be a JSON file.
Following APIs should be enabled:
Gmail API
Calendar API
People API
Contact API
2.2 Enable Domain-Wide Delegation
In the Admin Console, navigate to Menu > Security > Access and data control > API controls > Domain-Wide Delegation.
Click on Add a new client ID, using the service account client ID.
This clarifies the mapping between the source and destination mailboxes for the migration.
Step 4: Kick off the Migration
After setting up the migration batch, the following should be ensured:
Identify a recipient who would be receiving the report of this migration.
Select Automatically start and complete the migration batch.
Set the time zone appropriately—for example, West Africa Standard Time.
Click Done to start the migration.
Step 5: Monitoring and Verification of Migration
This was just the trigger for the migration to start. Now, email migrations, contact migrations, and calendar events copy operations will run in parallel. You can view the status of migration in the Exchange Admin Center.
Verification Steps
Log in to the migrated M365 mailboxes.
Assure that Emails, Calendar events, and Contacts have migrated.
Test the email flow and test the functionality of the calendar. It should work without glitches.
Step 6: Update the DNS Records
After the validation of a successful migration, update DNS records to route all email traffic to Microsoft 365:
MX Record: Point to Microsoft 365
SPF Record: Block unauthorized email delivery
DKIM and DMARC Records: Advanced email security and authenticity
Allow the DNS change propagation to take effect globally. This might take up to 72 hours.
Conclusion
Migration from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 does not have to be complicated. The step-by-step procedure outlined in this guide ensures a smooth transfer of emails, contacts, and calendars while minimizing downtime and maintaining business continuity.
Partner with Medha Cloud for a Successful Migration At Medha Cloud, we take the complexity out of migrations. Our expert team ensures your data is migrated securely and efficiently, allowing you to focus on running your business.
Ready to make the move? Contact Medha Cloud today and let us help you transition to Microsoft 365 with confidence!
Benjamin Gbolaru
I'm Benjamin, a Microsoft 365 Specialist, helping small and large businesses deploy, configure, and secure M365 environments to maximize the benefits of Microsoft tools. With sound expertise in driving cloud adoption, identity and access management (IAM), security monitoring, system reliability, and proactive troubleshooting.
