The SharePoint migration at the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) in Switzerland was carried out on the basis of a decision in the federal government's digital IT strategy. Externally operated SharePoint services were to be transferred to the federal data center. However, the fundamentally clear objective proved to be challenging in several dimensions:
- Extremely tight schedule
- A large number of websites, some with extensive data content
- Relocation from a private data center to the highly standardized and secure data center of the federal administration
- Migration of highly customized websites adapted with third-party tools to highly standardized websites without third-party tools
- High security standards and comprehensive hurdles for the use of migration tools that require installation
- A sophisticated communication and training concept for a large number of site owners and editors
SharePoint migration with Sharegate
Due to the general conditions, a native migration with SharePoint on-board tools was not feasible. Without simulation and repeatable migration iterations, the necessary conversion of the content structures would not have been possible within the available time and budget.
The governance and security requirements of the Federal Computing Center ruled out many common migration tools. However, Sharegate enabled an installation-free migration and was the only tool that was compatible with two-factor authentication and the existing security infrastructure.
Thanks to Sharegate, we were able to plan, simulate and automate the migration.
Result with distinction
We are still proud to have completed the project successfully, with distinction and within budget. The result was rated so above average that Sharegate's project report was used as a reference in public relations.
Not only the quality and speed of the migration, but also the excellent communication with the site owners and editors contributed to the high level of satisfaction. This success was also due to the excellent cooperation with the FOAG's IT and specialist team, without whom this achievement would not have been possible.
**What generally needs to be considered during SharePoint migrations?
A SharePoint migration requires careful planning and preparation to ensure that all data and settings are transferred properly and that users can continue to work seamlessly after the migration. Important aspects are
Careful planning Detailed planning is crucial for success. All steps should be clearly defined and all stakeholders involved.
Backup and restore Before the migration, a complete backup of all SharePoint data and settings should be carried out in order to be able to fall back on it in the event of problems.
Review of content and structure The content and structure of the existing SharePoint environment should be analyzed. A decision should be made as to which content should be transferred and which should not.
Compatibility with SharePoint versions It must be ensured that the target version is compatible with the existing environment and supports all required functions.
Checking authorizations User authorizations should be checked and mapped correctly in the new environment.
Checking custom solutions Individual customizations and solutions must be checked for compatibility and adapted if necessary.
User training Users should be prepared for new functions and changes in good time to ensure a smooth transition.
Testing the migration Comprehensive testing ensures that data has been transferred completely and correctly and that the new environment is stable.
By taking these aspects into account, a SharePoint migration can be implemented in a structured and low-risk manner.
More references
Some customers for whom we have also designed or implemented modern workplace or collaboration solutions:
Schwarzwald-Baar-Klinikum, Marquardt, Ingenics, Mercedes-Benz, Brose, Stiftung Pfennigparade, Bauwerk Parkett
In the area of migration, we have also migrated numerous Lotus Notes and MS Access applications to SharePoint or Office 365, consolidated intranets or migrated to newer SharePoint versions - including projects in the area of intranet migration, digital emergency management and others.