A Zero-Downtime Migration to Google Workspace for SMS Holdings

The team at Schmitt Measurement Systems Holdings (SMS) was ready to make the switch from Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace. In particular, they wanted to gain access to Google Vault for data retention and eDiscovery. Google introduced them to HiView Solutions as a full-service migration, training, and support partner to ensure their success in Google Workspace.

The challenge

SMS Holdings needed three Microsoft domains (one primary domain and two secondary domains) migrated to the new Workspace environment. One of the secondary domains had an existing Workspace environment—called a contested domain—which had to be addressed prior to migration activities. Additionally, 10 conflicting accounts (Google product accounts created using the organization’s email addresses) required remediation.

The approach

The HiView Technical Lead began by verifying the team’s primary domain in Workspace. Next, SMS’s Operations Manager provided access to the Microsoft environment.

It was then time to resolve the contested domain. The Technical Lead moved the data out from the old Workspace environment, deactivated the Google Cloud (formerly GCP) project it contained, and finally deactivated the environment. Next, the project team instructed each applicable end user about how to resolve their conflicting accounts.

The Technical Lead proceeded to provision all user accounts in the new Google environment, configured the migration tool, and began migrating email data. Finally, calendar and contact data were migrated.

At the client’s request, the Technical Lead also configured an inbox that would capture any emails sent to a misspelled email address (an address containing their domain that did not belong to a user).

The results

• 30 users migrated to Google Workspace
• Zero downtime occurred
• 1 Admin training session held
• 1 End User training session held
• 1 Support Site shared to aid end users