Concepts and Planning	<<	>>

Migration

Migration is the process of moving mailboxes and mail from your existing e-mail system to Microsoft Exchange Server. For a smooth migration process:

Decide migration methods.

Plan timing and organization issues.

Plan connections and maintenance.

Before you migrate to Microsoft Exchange Server, you need to make some strategic decisions. You should be able to answer the following questions:

Which users should be migrated first?
Should migration be done in phases or all at once?
What coexistence issues need to be addressed while both systems are in operation?
What is the best way to maintain directories, foreign system addresses, mail, and messaging applications during and after migration?
How will offsite users be handled?
How will connectivity to foreign systems be established?

Migration planning is critical to prevent downtime, data loss, and disruption of information flow. A proper strategy can reduce your administrative duties before, during, and after the migration.

For more information about migration, see Microsoft Exchange Server Migration.