Microsoft 365 that's set up on purpose
Almost every small office in Knoxville is on Microsoft 365 by now. Far fewer have it configured properly. Licenses were picked by whoever signed up, security defaults were never touched, SharePoint has three abandoned sites, and the shared drive everyone actually uses is still on a server in the closet.
Workflow IT handles the migration if you're not there yet, and the cleanup if you are.
What's covered
- Migrations. From Google Workspace, GoDaddy email, an old Exchange server, or a POP account at your web host, with mail, calendars and contacts moved intact and DNS cut over cleanly.
- Licensing that fits. The right mix of Business Basic, Standard and Premium for each person, and nothing paid for that nobody uses.
- Security configuration. MFA for everyone, conditional access, mailbox auditing, anti-phishing policies, and the settings Microsoft ships turned off. Business Premium's built-in security tools, configured rather than ignored.
- SharePoint and OneDrive. A file structure that mirrors how you actually work, permissions that make sense, and the move off the old file server.
- Teams. Set up for calls, meetings and channels without turning into noise.
- Backups. Microsoft doesn't back up your data in the way most people assume. A separate Microsoft 365 backup covers mail, OneDrive and SharePoint.
- Ongoing administration. New hires, departures, shared mailboxes, distribution groups and license changes, included in managed IT.
Departures done right
When someone leaves, their mailbox, files and access need to be handled the same day: sign-ins blocked, mail forwarded or converted to a shared mailbox, OneDrive files transferred, and the license reclaimed. Workflow IT has a checklist for it so nothing is missed and you're not paying for an empty seat six months later.
Google Workspace offices
If you're on Google Workspace and happy, there's no reason to move. Workflow IT supports both, and the same security and backup principles apply.
Questions people ask about this
How long does a migration take?
A typical ten-to-thirty-person office migrates over a weekend, with a week of preparation beforehand and a few days of cleanup after. Mail keeps flowing throughout; the actual cutover is usually invisible to staff.
Which license should we be on?
Most small offices land on Business Standard for general staff and Business Premium for anyone handling sensitive data or where the security tooling is worth it. We map it out person by person rather than putting everyone on the most expensive plan.
Do we still need a file server?
Usually not. SharePoint and OneDrive replace the office file share for most businesses, with better remote access and versioning. Line-of-business applications that need a server are the exception.
Does Microsoft back up our email?
Not in the way you'd expect. Retention policies help, but they aren't a backup you can restore from after a deletion, a ransomware event or an account compromise. A third-party Microsoft 365 backup fills that gap.
Want a straight answer on this?
Call and ask. If it's not something Workflow IT should do for you, you'll hear that too.