OUR SERVICES

DMS Migration

Use Microsoft to unlock the value of IP siloed in third-party databases.

Having access to the right knowledge at the right time can be a huge competitive advantage. That advantage needs to be worth the cost and complexity involved, however.
Microsoft now offers an extraordinary alternative to traditional document management. We’re here to help you take advantage of this functionality to unlock even more value from your data at an unexpectedly affordable cost.

We're here to help with your migration

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Your needs

You know how valuable knowledge is in the right hands. You’ve done the work to put it there, but the results aren’t living up to expectations.

You’re looking for a cost-effective solution that integrates into your environment, putting knowledge at users’ fingertips when and where they need it. A solution that can be managed centrally, under stringent security and compliance controls. A solution that can evolve alongside you and your regulatory environment.

Our solution​

As Gold certified Microsoft partners with extensive legal and technical expertise, we’re ideally positioned to help you consolidate your data estate inside Microsoft.

We’ll work with you to plan a secure, compliant and strategic migration from your existing DMS into Microsoft. We’ll also help you unlock the full value of your data in its new home, optimising your deployment with industry-leading add-ons like InTapp where necessary. The result is a potent, intuitive and easy to manage DMS experience, backed by the full weight of Microsoft’s security and governance capabilities.

What’s included?​

Advice​

At the due diligence stage to set your project up for lasting success.

Security and governance​

Guidance from technical and legal experts.

Wireframes

Detailing data scope and structure at both source and target.

A fully managed, end-to-end migration

Led by an experienced project manager.

Operational runbooks 

Customised to your project to streamline operations, communications and change management.

A competitive fixed price

Demonstrating our commitment to deliver on time and within budget.

Discuss your document management challenges with us.

Our migration credentials

  • 11 years’ experience in complex cloud migrations 
  • 7 Gold Microsoft Partnerships 
  • Charter Member in Microsoft Content Services Partner Program
  • Extensive experience in highly regulated sectors

Our favourite challenges

  • Working across multiple geographic locations
  • Bringing order to unstructured content
  • Solving security and permissions vulnerabilities
  • Replicating successes in additional business units

Microsoft 365 modernises document management by enabling seamless collaboration, cloud-based storage, and built-in security. Instead of relying on legacy systems, organisations gain a scalable, integrated platform with automated governance, enhanced search capabilities, and compliance-ready workflows.

Managing security across multiple platforms can be complex. With Microsoft 365, organisations centralise security controls, ensuring consistent policies across all data. Advanced threat protection, access management, and governance tools like Microsoft Purview also improve compliance and reduce risk.

Common challenges include:

  • Metadata mapping – Ensuring existing metadata structures align with SharePoint for effective search and categorisation.
  • Permission management – Preserving user access rights while adapting to Microsoft 365’s permission model.
  • Data integrity – Preventing data loss, corruption, or duplication during the migration process.
  • Workflow adaptation – Adjusting legacy document workflows to fit SharePoint’s modern automation capabilities.
  • User adoption – Providing training and support to help users navigate the new system and maximise efficiency.

Microsoft 365 enhances searchability and collaboration by making documents available across Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive. AI-powered tools also improve content discovery, while version control and co-authoring features streamline teamwork.

A structured approach ensures a smooth and compliant transition to Microsoft 365. Key steps include:

  • Assessing the current environment – Reviewing data structures, permissions, and compliance requirements.
  • Mapping data to Microsoft 365 – Aligning metadata, access controls, and governance policies with SharePoint.
  • Implementing security and retention policies – Ensuring compliance with industry regulations and internal governance standards.
  • Migrating data securely – Using the right tools and strategies to preserve data integrity and prevent loss.
  • Training users and managing change – Providing guidance and support to help teams adapt to the new system.

By following these steps, organisations can ensure a secure, efficient, and fully compliant migration.

Cloud Essentials brings years of experience in complex migrations, ensuring every transition is secure, compliant, and aligned with business needs. We optimise SharePoint configurations, help define and implement appropriate governance policies, and provide expert guidance to help organisations fully leverage their investment in Microsoft 365. We also actively support user adoption to ensure a smooth transition and long-term success

For more advanced use cases, including professional services and certain regulated industries, InTapp enhances document and client management within Microsoft 365. It provides AI-driven tools to track time, manage deals, and automate compliance workflows, extending Microsoft 365’s capabilities.

Proper preparation helps streamline the migration process and ensures data remains secure and accessible. Key preparation steps include:

  • Auditing existing data – Identifying what needs to be migrated, archived, or deleted to remove redundant, outdated, or trivial (ROT) data.
  • Reviewing metadata and permissions – Ensuring existing metadata structures and access controls align with SharePoint.
  • Defining governance and compliance requirements – Establishing retention policies, security controls, and access management strategies.
  • Selecting the right migration tools – Choosing tools that maintain data integrity and optimise the transition process.
  • Engaging users early – Providing training and communication to prepare teams for the new platform.

Moving to Microsoft 365 creates a unified document management environment that enhances security, efficiency, and collaboration. Benefits include:

  • Integrated collaboration – SharePoint and Teams enable seamless document sharing, co-authoring, and version control.
  • Stronger security – Microsoft’s advanced security features, including AI-driven threat detection and data loss prevention, protect sensitive information.
  • Consistent governance – A centralised platform ensures uniform policies for access control, retention, and compliance.
  • Reduced IT complexity – Eliminates the need for multiple document management solutions, simplifying administration and support.
  • Scalability and flexibility – Microsoft 365 adapts to business needs, allowing organisations to scale storage and functionality as required.

Cloud Essentials brings deep expertise in Microsoft 365 migrations, ensuring a seamless and secure transition. As a certified Microsoft Solutions Partner for Modern Work and Security, we help organisations:

  • Optimise SharePoint for document management – Ensuring data is structured effectively for usability and compliance.
  • Implement security and governance best practices – Applying Microsoft Purview’s capabilities to manage data protection and retention.
  • Minimise disruption – Providing structured migration planning, user training, and change management.
  • Leverage Microsoft AI-powered solutions – Enhancing document discovery, automation, and workflow efficiency.

With a tailored approach to each migration, Cloud Essentials ensures organisations maximise the value of Microsoft 365 while maintaining compliance and security.

From Our Clients

Great team of responsive and skilled professionals that feel like an extension of our IT team. A partner not a vendor.

Global Food Distribution Company

Head of Infrastructure and Deployment

The Cloud Essentials’ team have shown they are a partner, not just a supplier. The company we acquired advised that the IT integration project was the most successful part of their conversion to join us, which is a reflection on everyone involved. Thank you!

Head of Infrastructure

Job well done! I appreciate your knowledge, expertise, and teamwork/engagement which contributed to a successful migration/cutover.

Client

"Cloud Essentials performed a mail migration for our Institute of Astronomy, from a legacy Microsoft Exchange server to the University Microsoft 365 Tenancy. Cloud Essentials were extremely professional from start to finish. They understood our Higher Education context. They were very flexible when setting the timeline when we had some challenges in our availability to support the work. Their staff were helpful and friendly. They demonstrated great expertise and guided us throughout the process. The migration itself was smooth and fast. Great service by a great team! I would recommend and use their services again."

Higher Education Institution

Project Manager

“This has been very refreshing. And Cloud Essentials have been not just an implementer, but a trusted partner. They’ve effectively become our ‘SharePoint arm’ within the company. They haven’t taken a cookie-cutter approach with something from another environment, but have genuinely wanted to find the best way to help us.”

CIO, Prominent law firm

Colin Short

"Cloud Essentials carried out a very professional service. They stayed cool, calm and collected. I’m sure it won’t be the last time we work with Cloud Essentials."

Global chemical company

Client

It is no small achievement to reduce a corporate enterprise data footprint this significantly in a responsible, well planned and executed manner.

Information Manager, Alexander Forbes

Pierre Blignaut

“Cloud Essentials understand the importance of carrying out a project the right way, no matter the size of it. They don’t take any short cuts.”

Tenant Migration client

“This was a smooth migration with very little impact on the business during the changeover, we would definitely use Cloud Essentials and the Binary Tree toolset again if we need to do another migration!”

CFO, Empact Group

Alan Quinn

Our experience

We’ve been around the migration block a few times – here are a few of our project highlights.

The only way to really know if we’re a good fit is to get in touch, so let’s have a chat! One of our friendly experts will get straight back to you. You never know, this could be the beginning of a great partnership.
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