BPOS-to-Office 365 Move Near, Just Not Too Near

Microsoft always wants customers to upgrade -- that's how it pays for all those executive bonuses, free Starbucks orders and new campus complexes. For Microsoft's Business Productivity Online Services (BPOS) users, the transition to Office 365 ain't all that simple. And as much as I'm sure Microsoft would want all of those folks to move right away, it's cautioning that doing it right may take some time. Fact is, it could take a year or more to make the move. Microsoft is offering up some specific guidance, and based on how you use it, your migration will differ.

A lot of the issues concern the client software that talks to the new Office 365 cloud services. That means upgrading to the new cloud and equipping your workstations and laptops with new client software. Excuse me if I'm a dope, but isn't the whole point of the cloud that the client doesn't matter? Tell me if I'm right or a dunce at [email protected].

You'll have to move to Office 2007 or 2010 (which means biting the bullet on the ribbon). IE 6 can also be problematic, but that is an easy fix unless you have custom apps written to the old browser.

Microsoft won't be quiet on this matter. It will keep in close touch with its BPOS users to advise them as to how to move forward, and when Microsoft will be ready to help.

Posted by Doug Barney on 08/30/2011 at 12:47 PM