The cloud-based solution is mostly used by organizations nowadays for more scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency. SharePoint Online is a cloud-based service provided by Microsoft to improve an organization's efficiency, security, and collaboration. However, migrating from SharePoint On-premises to SharePoint Online is advantageous and requires perfect execution to ensure a successful transfer. So, in this article, we'll look at the methods to migrate SharePoint On-premises to SharePoint Online, knowing the procedures and SharePoint migration tools for moving from on-premises to online.

Benefits of migrating SharePoint On-Premises to Online

• As mentioned above, SharePoint Online is a cloud-based service, which means we can access our data anywhere and from any device.
• SharePoint Online is cost-effective as it scales with an organization without requiring additional hardware or infrastructure investments.
• The SharePoint Online admin center provides a single location for managing all aspects of SharePoint, simplifying maintenance.
• SharePoint Online has strong security features, including data encryption, enhanced threat protection, and compliance tools to help protect sensitive information.

Methods to migrate SharePoint On-Premises to Online

Microsoft offers a tool for migrating SharePoint, Microsoft’s SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT). To use the SPMT, follow the given steps:

1. Firstly, install the SPMT on your system.
2. Then, open the software and select the Start a new migration option.
3. Select the SharePoint server as a source and select Site Migration in the next window.
4. Afterwards, provide the SharePoint server source link that you want to migrate.
5. Now, enter your SharePoint server's email address and password and sign in to the software.
6. In the next window, select whether to transfer the current site or its sub-sites.
7. Enter the SharePoint online URL in the location of the mailbox link box.
8. Then, enter a new name for your migration batch, and the software will begin the migration process.
9. Finally, review the migration type and select the Migrate Now option. 

Limitation of using SPMT to migrate SharePoint On-premises to SharePoint Online

• By using SPMT, a large amount of data is unable to migrate because of the size limitation.
• SPMT may be slower when migrating big amounts of data. This can increase the total migration time, which is not suitable for professional organizations.
• SPMT does not provide any filtration and personalization options.
• SharePoint Online does not support some file types, and SPMT does not provide any features to handle these exceptions. Data loss could occur during the process so make sure to have a backup for those situations.
• The process requires a good technical knowledge.

Using a third-party tool to migrate SharePoint On-Premises to SharePoint Online

For more efficiency and simplicity, the use of third-party tools is beneficial. If I suggest one of the best tool for doing this job, then the Shoviv SharePoint Migrator tool is the best option. This software allows users to effortlessly migrate from SharePoint On-Premises to SharePoint Online with more stability and functionality. Thanks to its user-friendly interface, anyone can transfer SharePoint, which requires no technical knowledge. Furthermore, the app provides a free version that allows users to migrate 20KB of data. Now, let us stop complimenting the software and look at some of its features.

The Shoviv SharePoint Migrator tool: Features

• The software offers filtering options based on date range and folder criteria to exclude or include desired data during migration.
• The software also has a scheduler option, which allows users to schedule the SharePoint migration process.
• Shoviv SharePoint Migrator Tool is compatible with all versions of SharePoint (On-Premises and Online) and Windows Operating System.
• Users can add several SharePoint sites for migration at once in batch.
• Users can even export SharePoint data to multiple cloud servers or popular file formats and import it from one location to another.
• Moreover, users can monitor the entire process and ensure whether every data is migrated or not.

Final Word

Migrating from SharePoint On-Premises to SharePoint Online can be challenging, demanding careful planning, trustworthy tools, and exact execution. Organizations can ensure a seamless and rapid migration by following the procedures outlined above and utilizing trusted tools such as the Shoviv SharePoint Migrator Tool, allowing them to fully leverage SharePoint Online for enhanced productivity and collaboration.