Complex Migrations

Cloud Essentials specialises in complex migrations from a wide range of legacy and cloud platforms into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Our methodology focuses on flattening deep folder structures and transforming legacy data into modern SharePoint architecture. We address the 400-character path limit by using metadata (e.g., Year, Project, Dept) rather than nested folders. Before any transfer, we perform ROT analysis (Redundant, Obsolete, Trivial data) to reduce storage costs and ensure only high-value content is migrated.

Yes. Cloud Essentials has over 20 years of experience with EMC storage models. We ensure a forensic chain-of-custody with 1:1 mapping reports that prove every item in the SourceOne archive was successfully moved to Microsoft 365. We also handle the cleanup of “shortcuts” (stubs) in user mailboxes, ensuring a seamless end-user experience post-migration.

To transition from a third-party archive to a consolidated Microsoft 365 environment, Cloud Essentials uses a defensible, automated methodology that eliminates vendor exit fees and manual export bottlenecks. This specialized approach ensures that legacy data is moved with full integrity while transitioning security hygiene to Microsoft’s native protection.

Key steps include:

1. Extraction: Automated retrieval of journal data in Envelope Journal Format (EJF) to preserve BCC and Distribution List metadata.
2. Re-hydration: Re-instancing single journal streams into individual user mailboxes to satisfy Microsoft’s licensing and eDiscovery requirements.
3. Security Cutover: Seamlessly transitioning email hygiene and protection from Mimecast to Microsoft Defender for Office 365.

Yes. Cloud Essentials has over 20 years of experience with EMC storage models. We ensure a forensic chain-of-custody with 1:1 mapping reports that prove every item in the SourceOne archive was successfully moved to Microsoft 365. We also handle the cleanup of “shortcuts” (stubs) in user mailboxes, ensuring a seamless end-user experience post-migration.

For enterprise-scale SharePoint Server migrations that involve complex permissions or site re-structuring, we leverage advanced tooling from ShareGate, AvePoint, or Quest to ensure “full-fidelity” transfer of metadata and version history.

Our status as a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Cloud Security ensures that every migration whether from a file share or a legacy archive is “Security-First,” incorporating all aspects of security and compliance. We have delivered 18 migration projects in the last two years for organisations with 500 to 10,000+ users, dealing with high value and sensitive data.