Is the cloud right for you?
The cloud can retire aging servers, make remote work easier and reduce the risk of one failed box stopping the office. It can also add cost and complexity if it is done without a plan. We start by listing each system you run, then decide with you what moves, what stays and what gets replaced.
File server to SharePoint and OneDrive
For many offices the first step is moving shared drives into SharePoint and personal files into OneDrive. We map the old folder structure to something cleaner, set permissions, move the data in stages and train staff on the new way of finding and sharing files.
Hosted servers for line-of-business apps
Some applications, such as certain accounting, ERP and practice management systems, still need a Windows server. We move those to a hosted platform when it makes sense, or keep them on a well-managed local server when it does not.
Secure remote access
Staff working from home or a job site need safe access to what they use every day. We set up access through Microsoft 365, secure remote desktop or VPN, always with multi-factor authentication.
Security before the move
We set access rules, MFA and backups before data moves, not after. Cloud data needs backing up too, and we include it in your backup and recovery plan.
How a migration runs
Every move follows the same steps, sized to your office:
- Inventory. We list what is on the server today: shared folders, applications, printers, scheduled jobs and the people who use each one.
- Clean up. Old files are archived, permissions are simplified and duplicate copies are removed, so you do not pay to move clutter.
- Design. We map folders to SharePoint sites and Teams, decide what belongs in OneDrive and agree who owns each area.
- Pilot. A small group works in the new setup first, so problems surface before everyone moves.
- Cutover. Files are synced ahead of time, and the final switch happens at a quiet time so Monday starts normally.
- Follow-up. Staff get short guidance on finding files and sharing safely, and we fix the small things that come up in the first weeks.
What should stay on site
Not everything belongs in the cloud. Large CAD and video files can be faster on a local file server with a cloud copy behind it, some line-of-business applications only run on a local server, and shop-floor or warehouse systems often need to keep working when the internet does not. We recommend a hybrid setup when it serves you better and explain the trade-offs plainly.
Costs to plan for
Cloud services move spending from occasional hardware purchases to steady monthly fees. When we compare options, we include the costs people forget: Microsoft 365 license upgrades, Azure compute and storage, backup for cloud data, faster internet and a second connection for failover. You see the full picture before you decide.
Common mistakes to avoid
The migrations that go badly usually skip planning. Copying a messy file server into SharePoint as one giant library, keeping every old permission, moving without a backup of the cloud data and forgetting to train staff are the most common. Each one is easy to avoid with a little preparation.
Working with files after the move
The biggest change after a cloud move is how people find and share files. We set up SharePoint libraries and Teams channels that mirror the way your departments already work, sync the folders people use most to File Explorer so they still open files the familiar way and show staff how to share a link with a client safely instead of attaching a copy. Version history means an overwritten spreadsheet can be rolled back in a couple of clicks.
Licensing that fits the cloud
Cloud features depend on the Microsoft 365 plan you hold. Business Premium, for example, adds device management, conditional access and stronger email protection that many small businesses need for cyber insurance. We review your licenses before the move and recommend the plan that covers what you need, without paying for features nobody will use.
Is now the right time?
The best moment to move is usually when the server is nearing replacement, a lease is ending or staff have started working from more places. Moving then avoids buying hardware you will only use for a short time. If your server still has a few good years left, we can plan the move for later and put the money toward security first.
Where we work
We run cloud projects for businesses in 20 major US cities and other US cities, almost entirely remotely.