HAO Private Cloud Migration

Background: 

A law firm specializing in civil litigation undertook a complex cloud migration project to enhance their IT infrastructure and streamline operations. This migration involved moving from one cloud platform to another, migrating data and applications from a Network Attached Storage (NAS), and reverse migrating SharePoint from a document management system to a file system. Additionally, the project included setting up remote desktop applications, reconfiguring drive mappings, and repointing scan and fax to folder functionalities.

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Challenges: 

The migration process was intricate and required meticulous planning and execution. One of the key challenges faced during the migration was ensuring the seamless transfer of data and applications while minimizing disruptions to daily operations. Furthermore, managing user-created personal folders and handling pst files of terminated employees posed additional challenges that needed to be addressed.

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Solution: 

The migration was successfully completed within the specified timeframe, thanks to the efforts of Michelle Harmon and Ed Schleter, who played crucial roles in overseeing the project. To mitigate potential issues, the team ensured that all data and applications were migrated accurately, and they provided detailed guidance on managing personal folders and pst files to prevent data loss and performance issues.

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Outcome: 

The cutover process was smooth, with only minor issues reported on cutover day+1, all of which were quickly resolved. By cutover day+2, no further issues were reported, and the Professional Services + HAO private cloud teams were able to close the project. The NAS will remain onsite for a brief period to address any potential missing data before being returned to the corporate office.

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Lessons Learned: 

During the migration, the team identified important considerations for future reverse migrations. They highlighted the need to move user-created personal folders into personal mapped drives to maintain privacy. Also, pst files of terminated employees or old archives need to be stored on local drives or portable drives to avoid performance issues.

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Conclusion: 

The successful completion of this law firm’s private cloud migration project demonstrates the importance of careful planning, efficient execution, and proactive problem-solving in complex IT projects. Through collaboration and dedication, the team was able to achieve their goals and ensure a smooth transition to the new cloud environment.