Migrating businesses’ email data is a major decision, especially when you’re planning to shift to a cloud-based platform like Office 365. It explains why finding the right method to migrate email data is crucial. IT admins need to prepare and document efficiently before finding methods to import PST to Office 365, as there can be potential data loss otherwise. 

However, the question is “Should you choose manual methods or an automated tool to migrate PST email data?” This article provides a clear comparison between the two to break down the benefits and shortcomings of both, so that you can make a clear choice. Let’s read out to understand which one is better. 

Common challenges during PST to Office 365 migration

Before we start the comparison, let’s see what are the challenges you might face during the migration journey. Learning about these will help you make a clear choice between the two.

1. Moving large PST files demand higher bandwidth, which can slow down the migration process.
2. There can be addition in the complexity of the migration due to password-protected PST files.
3. There can be a lot of confusion and chaos if prior user communication is not done.
4. Higher risk of losing data during the process due to damaged or corrupted PST files.
5. Difficult in mapping user permissions and mailboxes to assure data security.

What are the methods to migrate PST to Office 365?

There are two manual solutions available to transfer the data to Office 365, which include the use of the Import/Export feature and the Microsoft 365 Import service (Network Upload and Drive Shipping). 

Apart from this, users can go with the automated tools that effortlessly move the data without any data loss. Let’s have an overview of the comparison between the two and identify which of them is efficient for uploading PST mailboxes to Office 365.

Manual vs automated PST to Office 365 migration

Here is a detailed side-by-side feature-based comparison to decide which one of them suit your objectives:

Features	Manual Methods	Automated tool
Data Accuracy	With manual methods, there is no guarantee of migrating data with accuracy.	Migrates data with 100% accuracy and retain hierarchy throughout the process.
Bulk migration	Involves repeating same steps again and again making the process complex for bulk data migration.	No issues at migrating bulk data as the automated tools allow data transfers with no limitations.
Technical complexity	Often requires technical expertise to perform steps of the migration methods, such as drive shipping.	Doesn’t require the users to possess technical knowledge for migration.
Metadata migration	No guarantee of migrating metadata.	Migrate emails, attachments, and other data with metadata and other email properties.
Data security	Involves risk of losing data integrity and confidentiality due to incorrect mailbox mapping.	Assures accurate migration supported by easy user mapping.
Suitable for	Small scale migrations with low data volume.	Works for migration of all scale without causing any data loss.

How to migrate data effectively?

Here are some tips to conduct successful and error-free migration:

1. Delete unwanted and unnecessary emails before planning the transfer.
2. Identify if there’s corruption in the PST file else there can be permanent data loss. 
3. Always perform a test migration on the batch of data before migrating entire source.
4. Get a trustworthy and feature-rich tool to perform the data transfer. 
5. Don’t forget to save the backup before migrating to avoid possibility of data loss.
6. Review the data in the destination after migrating to evaluate accuracy.

Conclusion

Choosing the right solution from the manual and automated tool to transfer PST to Office 365 can often be difficult. However, when you know the difference between the two, you know what to choose. If you have a small amount of data and want to migrate data from your personal mailbox, using manual methods would be great. On the other hand, using professional tools like Kernel Import PST to Office tool to transfer data without hassles. The tool is known to migrate PST files without modifying the data integrity. Download the tool to learn about the offered functionality.