Provider ShareGate says generative AI (genAI) can now be combined with with its tools to expedite complex M365 migrations.
Jasjit Chopra, a Microsoft VP and CEO of ShareGate partner Penthara Technologies, has explained how to approach this in a guest post.
“We’ve all heard how much time genAI can save us, if you know the right prompts. With Copilot, ChatGPT, or whichever large language model (LLM),” Chopra said.
When combined with tools such as ShareGate Migrate for Microsoft 365 (M365) environments, organisations can streamline their migrations. In addition, the right prompts and tips could further safeguard data, he noted.
“Migrating to M365 means moving data, workflows, and systems into the modern cloud world. It’s a big step but necessary if you want to boost productivity, tighten security, and future-proof your IT environment,” added Chopra.
However, whether shifting from on-prem or consolidating tenants, users must juggle data protection, authentication, permissions quirks and more. Therefore, plan and prepare with care, while securing sensitive data.
“You’ll need a solid strategy to avoid business disruption,” Chopra said.
“Staying on schedule and budget while keeping operations humming isn’t always easy,” he said. “But with the right tools these hurdles get a whole lot easier.”
That said, traditional M365 migrations relied on project management tools. However, AI and automation is streamlining strategy and practice today, he added.
“Bring that power into your migration planning. When paired with automation, AI doesn’t just make things faster. It helps optimise your workflows, scale with ease, and keep your data safe in real time,” Chopra said.
How genAI helps M365 migrations with ShareGate
For example, if you’re migrating Exchange Online and have an exported ShareGate report with detail on the source platform. This may include things like mailbox discovery data, group configurations, domain details and user identity mapping.
AI can use the information to generate a migration plan, incorporating data security and best practice.
Summarise the discovery of all sites and subsites using the SharePoint Admin Center. You can total up the site collections and subsites found, and outline key metrics such as size, item count, and site usage statistics, Chopra said.
In addition, you’ll want to drive stakeholder and client engagement. You’ll need to identify the key stakeholders and generate a communications plan that confirms client expectations and scope.
For example, pinpointing and communicating limitations. This might include large sites, unsupported features, or custom solutions for reconfiguration post-migration.
Chopra noted that similar prompts could be devised for all key M365 applications.
Chopra offered this example genAI prompt for generating a SharePoint migration plan:
‘You are a SharePoint migration expert. I have attached an exported report {exported_file_name} from ShareGate that contains detailed information about the source SharePoint environment, including site collections, subsites, item counts, and URLs. Based on this data, provide a comprehensive pre-migration and migration plan that aligns with Microsoft best practices. Address the following key areas … ‘
Click here for a YouTube video from Microsoft on how to create advanced prompts.
