SharePoint Migration Consulting
Enterprise migration experts with 29 years and 11,000+ enterprise engagements. On-prem to Online, tenant-to-tenant, cross-platform. Fixed-fee accelerators from $35,000.
EPC Group is an enterprise SharePoint migration consulting firm with 29 years of experience and 11,000+ completed engagements. We run on-premises to SharePoint Online migrations, tenant-to-tenant migrations, and cross-platform migrations from Google Drive, Box, and Dropbox. All migrations include compliance architecture for HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and GDPR. Free migration assessment available.
Key Facts
- 29 years of Microsoft consulting. 11,000+ enterprise engagements. 6,500+ SharePoint implementations.
- Migration types: on-prem to Online, tenant-to-tenant, Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, OpenText, Documentum.
- Tools: Microsoft SPMT (in-place), ShareGate (permissions), AvePoint Migrator (compliance reporting).
- ROT reduction: most organizations have 30–50% redundant, obsolete, or trivial content before migration.
- Validation: content integrity, metadata accuracy, permission correctness, functionality, and compliance checked post-migration.
- Compliance: HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, GDPR, CMMC, FERPA from day one.
What SharePoint Migration Consulting Covers
What does SharePoint migration consulting include? SharePoint migration consulting is a structured process that involves several key steps:
- Environment assessment
- Migration architecture and planning
- Content migration with full metadata preservation
- Custom solution conversion (InfoPath forms, SharePoint Designer workflows, custom web parts)
- Permission remediation
- Testing and validation
- Cutover planning
- Post-migration support
Enterprise engagements focus on compliance with key regulations, including HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and GDPR. They also emphasize user adoption and change management for a smooth transition.
EPC Group offers this service through a proven five-phase methodology. This approach has been refined over 29 years and more than 500 enterprise migrations.
SharePoint migration consulting is not a simple service. It is not just about running a tool and copying files. Enterprise migrations involve:
- Thousands of sites
- Millions of documents
- Complex permission structures built over a decade
- Custom workflows that automate critical business processes
- Compliance requirements with six-figure penalties for violations
The difference between a successful migration and a failed one lies in the consulting methodology that supports the technology.
Organizations that try SharePoint migrations without expert consulting often encounter several issues. These include:
- Extended timelines that can be 2-3 times longer than initial estimates.
- Broken business processes that are identified weeks after the cutover.
- Compliance gaps that appear during the next audit cycle.
The cost to fix problems after a failed migration is usually 200-400% higher than the cost of doing it right the first time.
EPC Group has delivered SharePoint consulting services for over 29 years, starting with SharePoint 2003 and continuing through every version to SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365. Our migration methodology has been refined across 500+ enterprise engagements, including Fortune 500 organizations with 50,000+ users, regulated healthcare systems with millions of PHI documents, and government agencies requiring FedRAMP-aligned consulting expertise environments. We wrote the book on SharePoint migrations — literally, through our Microsoft Press publications covering enterprise SharePoint architecture.
The sections below cover all aspects of enterprise SharePoint migration consulting. This includes everything from the initial assessment to post-migration optimization.
Whether you are:
- migrating from on-premises SharePoint,
- consolidating tenants after a merger, or
- moving from Google Workspace or Box,
this guide outlines the methodology, scenarios, and decision frameworks that distinguish successful enterprise migrations from costly failures.
Migration Scenarios
Every migration source presents unique challenges. EPC Group has executed each of these scenarios hundreds of times across regulated industries.
On-Premises to SharePoint Online
Migrate from SharePoint 2013, 2016, 2019, or Subscription Edition to SharePoint Online. Includes permission remediation, workflow conversion, and custom solution migration. Most common enterprise scenario.
Complexity: Medium-HighFile Shares to SharePoint
Move network file shares and mapped drives to SharePoint document libraries and OneDrive. Requires folder structure redesign, permission mapping from NTFS ACLs to SharePoint groups, and metadata enrichment.
Complexity: MediumGoogle Drive to SharePoint
Migrate Google Drive, Shared Drives, and Google Docs to SharePoint Online and OneDrive. Handles format conversion (Google Docs to Office), sharing permission translation, and folder structure optimization.
Complexity: MediumBox & Dropbox to SharePoint
Move content from Box Enterprise or Dropbox Business to SharePoint Online. Includes Box metadata mapping, Dropbox folder structure conversion, and external sharing policy migration.
Complexity: MediumTenant-to-Tenant Migration
Consolidate or split Microsoft 365 tenants during mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures. Includes identity mapping, domain consolidation, Exchange migration, and SharePoint content transfer.
Complexity: HighHybrid Configuration
Establish SharePoint hybrid with on-premises and Online coexisting. Federated search, hybrid taxonomy, OneDrive redirection, and phased content migration over extended timelines.
Complexity: HighAssessment and Planning
Every successful SharePoint migration starts with a detailed assessment of the source environment. This is more than just a quick check of site collections and storage volume.
A proper migration assessment includes:
- Cataloging every site, list, library, content type, custom column, workflow, InfoPath form, web part, timer job, event receiver, and third-party integration.
- Mapping permission structures and identifying orphaned accounts.
- Documenting external sharing configurations and inventorying content that falls under regulatory retention requirements.
The assessment phase produces three critical deliverables:
- Migration Scope Document: This document quantifies the volume, complexity, and risk profile of the migration.
- Target Architecture Design: This defines the SharePoint Online information architecture, including hub sites, site collections, document library structures, managed metadata term stores, and permission models using Entra ID security groups.
- Migration Plan: This includes wave scheduling, resource allocation, tool selection, and a detailed timeline with milestones and go/no-go decision points.
EPC Group assessment engagements usually take 2 to 4 weeks. The exact duration depends on the size of the environment.
We utilize automated scanning tools, such as the SharePoint Migration Assessment Tool and ShareGate Discovery. These tools are supported by manual reviews from our senior consultants.
Our experts have a deep understanding of the business context behind the technical artifacts.
The assessment offers significant value. Many organizations choose to work with us on assessment-only projects before deciding to proceed with full migration.
Environment Discovery
- Site collection inventory and hierarchy mapping
- Storage volume analysis by site and library
- Custom workflow and InfoPath form catalog
- Third-party integration dependency mapping
- Content type and metadata schema documentation
Migration Architecture
- Target SharePoint Online information architecture
- Hub site and site collection structure design
- Permission model redesign using Entra ID groups
- Governance framework and policies
- Migration tool selection and licensing
Content Migration Strategy
A content migration strategy outlines what content will be moved, what will remain, and what will be archived or deleted. Our experience with over 500 migrations indicates that 30-40% of enterprise content is ROT — Redundant, Obsolete, or Trivial. Migrating ROT content can lead to:
- Increased efficiency in content management
- Reduced storage costs
- Improved user experience
- Increased storage costs
- Longer migration times
- Confusion for users
- Wasted migration budget
- Increased SharePoint Online storage costs
- Decreased search relevance
- Governance challenges after migration
The first strategic decision in any migration is content disposition.
Active content migrates to SharePoint Online. It keeps all metadata, version history, and permissions intact. Archival content moves to Azure Blob Storage or Azure Archive Storage.
This process includes:
- Metadata indexing for future retrieval
- Lower costs compared to SharePoint Online storage
Content under legal hold is managed using Microsoft Purview retention policies. These policies are applied in the target environment before migration begins.
Content identified as ROT goes through a stakeholder review process. If no owner claims it within 30 days, it will be removed from the migration scope.
Migration execution uses a wave-based approach. Each wave focuses on a logical grouping of sites, usually by department or business unit. The process includes:
- Pre-migration validation
- Incremental sync
- User acceptance testing
- Final cutover
Incremental sync is crucial for multi-week migrations. It captures content changes in the source environment after the initial migration. This process helps ensure that no documents are lost during the transition.
EPC Group uses parallel migration streams to reduce timelines. Our dedicated quality assurance engineers validate each wave before moving on to the next.
Metadata Preservation
Metadata is the hidden framework that allows SharePoint content to be found, organized, and compliant. If metadata is lost during migration, it can lead to serious issues. These include:
- Destruction of document classification
- Breakdown of filtered views
- Invalidation of retention policies
- Need for users to manually re-tag thousands of documents
For regulated industries, losing metadata can cause compliance violations. This happens if retention labels, sensitivity classifications, or audit properties are not maintained.
EPC Group preserves metadata through a systematic process. This includes:
- Pre-migration metadata audit to catalog every custom column, content type, managed metadata term, and lookup relationship.
- Metadata mapping between source and target schemas, accounting for data type differences and naming conventions.
- Automated transformation rules for format conversions.
- Managed metadata term store migration and deduplication.
- Field-by-field post-migration validation with automated comparison reports.
For cross-platform migrations from Google Drive or Box, we create metadata enrichment rules. These rules add classification to previously unstructured content.
Common Metadata Migration Pitfall
Many migration tools preserve document-level metadata. However, they often fail to migrate important elements such as:
- Managed metadata term stores
- Content type hierarchies
- Site column definitions
Without these elements, migrated metadata values become orphaned text strings instead of linked taxonomy terms.
It is important to:
- Validate term store migration separately from document migration.
Custom Solution Migration: InfoPath, Workflows, and Web Parts
Custom solutions pose the highest risk during a SharePoint migration. Items that do not transfer to SharePoint Online include:
- InfoPath forms
- SharePoint Designer workflows
- Sandbox solutions
- Full-trust solutions
- Custom web parts
- Timer jobs
Each of these items needs assessment, conversion, or retirement before migration can start.
Organizations that find custom solution incompatibilities after starting migration may face:
- Costly delays
- Scope expansion
EPC Group conducts a custom solution inventory during the assessment phase. This inventory categorizes every solution by type, complexity, business criticality, and conversion path.
- InfoPath forms convert to Power Apps with Power Automate for backend logic.
- SharePoint 2010/2013 workflows convert to Power Automate cloud flows.
- Custom web parts built on classic pages convert to SPFx (SharePoint Framework) web parts for modern pages.
- Full-trust solutions and timer jobs convert to Azure Functions or Azure Logic Apps.
Our assessment report provides time and cost estimates for each conversion. This enables informed decisions about which solutions justify the investment and which should be retired.
InfoPath to Power Apps
- Form layout and field mapping
- Validation rules conversion
- Data connection migration
- Submission workflow to Power Automate
- User training on new forms
Workflows to Power Automate
- Workflow logic mapping and redesign
- Approval chain conversion
- Email notification migration
- Custom action replacement
- Parallel running during transition
Web Parts to SPFx
- Classic web part inventory
- SPFx component development
- Modern page template design
- Third-party web part alternatives
- Performance optimization
Testing and Validation
Testing is a crucial part of migration projects. Unfortunately, it is often rushed or ignored when deadlines are tight. This can lead to serious problems. Issues that are not tested after migration can cost 5-10 times more to fix than those found during validation.
EPC Group incorporates testing into every migration wave. We do not treat it as a single phase at the end.
Our validation framework includes five key dimensions:
- Content integrity: This involves checking file counts, sizes, and ensuring checksums match between source and target.
- Metadata accuracy: We ensure all custom columns, content types, and managed metadata values are preserved.
- Permission correctness: User and group access must match the intended model, not just replicate the source.
- Functionality verification: We check that search returns expected results, workflows execute correctly, and web parts render properly.
- Compliance validation: This includes applying retention labels, preserving sensitivity classifications, and ensuring audit logging is active.
Each dimension features automated checks, along with manual spot-checks conducted by senior consultants.
| Validation Dimension | Automated Checks | Manual Checks | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content Integrity | File count and size comparison | Spot-check critical documents | 100% file count match, 99.9% size match |
| Metadata Accuracy | Field-by-field value comparison | Content type inheritance validation | 100% metadata field preservation |
| Permission Correctness | User/group access enumeration | External sharing policy review | Zero unauthorized access grants |
| Functionality | Search query result comparison | Workflow execution testing | All business-critical functions operational |
| Compliance | Retention label and sensitivity scan | Audit log verification | Regulatory requirements fully met |
Cutover Planning
Cutover is the moment when users stop using the source environment and start working only in SharePoint Online. If cutover planning is poor, it can lead to:
- Productivity loss
- Data duplication
- User frustration
These issues can harm user adoption. EPC Group approaches cutovers with the same care as the migration process. We create detailed runbooks, communication schedules, and rollback procedures.
Our cutover methodology employs incremental sync to minimize the final delta window. Content migrates gradually over several days or weeks. This method enables users to continue working in the source environment.
The final cutover only syncs changes made since the last incremental pass. This process typically completes in hours instead of days.
We schedule cutovers during low-activity times, such as evenings and weekends. Our war room support includes:
- Migration engineers
- SharePoint administrators
- Help desk resources
These teams are ready to address user issues in real time.
For multi-site enterprises, we conduct cutovers in waves. These waves correspond to business units or geographic areas. Each wave uses the same validated runbook and has go/no-go checkpoints at every stage.
If a wave faces blocking issues, we implement the rollback plan. This enables us to restore source access within 30 minutes. Our wave-based method limits the blast radius. This way, a problem in one department does not hold up the entire organization.
Post-Migration Support
Migration does not end at cutover. The 30 to 90 days after cutover are crucial. This period affects whether users will accept the new environment or return to old habits. Common issues during this time include:
- Insufficient training for users
- Technical glitches and system errors
- Resistance to change among staff
- Resistance to change
- Lack of training and support
- Technical difficulties
- Saving files locally
- Sending email attachments instead of sharing links
- Recreating content in personal OneDrive instead of team SharePoint sites
Post-migration support helps bridge the gap between technical completion and organizational adoption.
EPC Group post-migration support includes three tracks: technical stabilization (performance tuning, search optimization, permission adjustments, issue resolution), user adoption (training sessions, quick reference guides, champions network activation, feedback collection), and governance activation (retention policy enforcement, sensitivity label deployment, external sharing monitoring, storage quota management). Our standard engagements include 30 days of post-migration support, with extended support available through our managed services offering.
30 Days
Included post-migration support
Issue resolution, performance tuning, user questions
90 Days
Extended stabilization period
Adoption tracking, governance activation, optimization
24/7
Managed services available
Ongoing administration, monitoring, and support
Choosing a SharePoint Migration Consulting Partner
Not all SharePoint migration consulting firms offer the same quality. The difference between a vendor using a migration tool and a consultancy that guarantees success can be found in three key areas:
- Methodology: The approach used for migration.
- Experience: The expertise and background of the team.
- Accountability: The responsibility taken for the migration process.
When choosing SharePoint migration partners, consider the following criteria:
- Methodology
- Experience
- Accountability
Migration-Specific Track Record
Ask for references from organizations of similar size, industry, and source platform. A firm with 500 migrations from file shares is not qualified for a complex SharePoint 2013 to Online migration with InfoPath forms and custom workflows.
Compliance Expertise
If you operate in healthcare, financial services, or government, your migration partner must demonstrate compliance methodology — not just claim awareness. Ask for their HIPAA migration checklist, SOC 2 control documentation, or FedRAMP tool authorization evidence.
Fixed-Fee Pricing
Time-and-materials migrations incentivize slow work. Fixed-fee engagements with defined scope, deliverables, and timelines align the consultant incentive with your goal: completing the migration on time and on budget.
Post-Migration Support
Migration partners that disappear after cutover leave you exposed during the most critical adoption period. Ensure your contract includes at minimum 30 days of post-migration support with defined SLAs.
Microsoft Partnership Level
Verify the firm holds current Microsoft Solutions Partner designations. Check their Microsoft Partner page directly — many firms claim partnerships they no longer hold or never had.
EPC Group meets every criterion above. We are a Microsoft Solutions Partner with 29 years of SharePoint migration experience, published Microsoft Press authors, and specialists in regulated industry migrations. Our enterprise SharePoint migration services page provides detailed methodology and pricing. For a comprehensive comparison of migration providers, see our SharePoint migration decision guide.
EPC Group SharePoint Migration Track Record
11,000+ engagement scale
Users migrated to SharePoint Online
500+
Enterprise migrations completed
25+
Years of SharePoint expertise
99.97%
First-pass content accuracy rate
Related Resources
SharePoint Consulting Services
Full-spectrum SharePoint consulting including architecture, governance, and custom development.
Read moreTop SharePoint Migration Services 2026
Compare enterprise SharePoint migration providers, pricing, and methodologies.
Read moreSharePoint Migration Decision Guide
On-premises vs. Online decision framework for enterprise SharePoint environments.
Read moreFrequently Asked Questions
What does SharePoint migration consulting include?
SharePoint migration consulting includes a comprehensive assessment of your current environment (on-premises SharePoint, file shares, or third-party platforms), migration architecture and planning, content migration strategy with metadata preservation, custom solution migration (InfoPath forms, SharePoint Designer workflows, custom web parts), testing and validation, cutover planning, and post-migration support. A qualified consultant also addresses permission remediation, compliance requirements (HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP), and user adoption planning to ensure a smooth transition with zero data loss.
How long does an enterprise SharePoint migration take?
Enterprise SharePoint migration timelines depend on data volume, source complexity, and compliance requirements. Small migrations under 1TB typically complete in 4-6 weeks. Mid-scale migrations of 1-10TB with multiple sources and custom workflows take 8-16 weeks. Large enterprise migrations exceeding 10TB with regulated data, complex permissions, and legacy custom solutions require 4-8 months. Tenant-to-tenant migrations during M&A scenarios add 2-4 weeks for identity mapping and domain consolidation. EPC Group compresses timelines by 30-40% through parallel migration streams and automated validation.
What is the difference between SharePoint migration and SharePoint implementation?
SharePoint migration moves existing content, metadata, permissions, and customizations from one platform to SharePoint Online. SharePoint implementation builds a new SharePoint environment from scratch, including information architecture, governance, security configuration, and custom development. Most enterprise projects combine both: migrating existing content while implementing modern features like hub sites, document libraries with AI classification, Power Automate workflows, and SharePoint Premium document processing. EPC Group provides both migration consulting and implementation services as integrated engagements.
Can you migrate from Google Workspace or Box to SharePoint Online?
Yes. EPC Group migrates from Google Drive, Google Shared Drives, Box, Dropbox Business, and other cloud platforms to SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business. Cross-platform migrations require special handling for permission mapping (Google sharing models differ from SharePoint), metadata conversion (Google Docs to Office formats), and folder structure redesign. We use Mover (Microsoft-native for Box, Dropbox, Google) and specialized tools like ShareGate and AvePoint for complex scenarios. Typical cross-platform migration success rate: 99.9% content integrity with full audit trail.
How do you handle metadata during SharePoint migration?
Metadata preservation is critical for compliance and findability. Our approach: 1) Pre-migration metadata audit to identify all custom columns, content types, managed metadata, and taxonomy terms, 2) Metadata mapping between source and target schemas, 3) Automated metadata transformation rules for format differences, 4) Managed metadata term store migration and consolidation, 5) Post-migration validation comparing source and target metadata field-by-field. For regulated industries, we maintain chain-of-custody documentation proving metadata integrity throughout the migration process.
What happens to InfoPath forms and SharePoint Designer workflows during migration?
InfoPath forms and SharePoint Designer workflows do not function in SharePoint Online. They must be converted before or during migration. InfoPath forms convert to Power Apps with Power Automate backend logic. SharePoint 2010 and 2013 workflows convert to Power Automate cloud flows. Complex multi-step workflows with custom code require redesign. EPC Group provides a workflow assessment report identifying direct conversions (typically 60-70% of workflows), redesigns (20-30%), and retirements (5-10%). We prioritize business-critical workflows and provide parallel running during transition.
How much does SharePoint migration consulting cost?
SharePoint migration consulting costs depend on scope. Assessment-only engagements run $10,000-$25,000 and deliver a migration roadmap, risk analysis, and timeline. Full migration projects: under 1TB from $25,000-$50,000, 1-10TB from $75,000-$200,000, 10TB+ from $200,000-$500,000+. EPC Group offers fixed-fee SharePoint Migration Accelerators starting at $35,000 that include assessment, planning, execution, validation, and 30 days of post-migration support. Tenant-to-tenant migrations during M&A carry a 20-30% premium due to identity consolidation complexity.
What compliance considerations apply to SharePoint migration?
Regulated industries must address specific compliance requirements during migration. HIPAA: encrypted PHI transfer, BAA coverage for migration tools, audit logs of all data movement, post-migration access validation. SOC 2: documented migration controls, chain of custody, access control verification. FedRAMP: GCC/GCC High tenant targeting, FedRAMP-aligned consulting expertise tools only, CUI handling procedures. GDPR: data residency during migration, processing agreements, right-to-erasure compliance. EPC Group includes compliance validation as a standard phase and provides audit-ready documentation for all regulated migrations.
Should I migrate everything to SharePoint Online or archive some content?
Most organizations should NOT migrate everything. Our assessment typically identifies 30-40% of content as ROT (Redundant, Obsolete, Trivial) that should be archived or deleted before migration. Active content goes to SharePoint Online. Archival content goes to Azure Blob Storage with metadata indexing for retrieval. Legal hold content requires special handling with Microsoft Purview retention policies applied post-migration. Migrating ROT content wastes budget (migration cost scales with volume), inflates storage costs, and degrades search quality. EPC Group content classification saves clients 20-35% on migration costs.
How do you ensure zero data loss during SharePoint migration?
Zero data loss requires a multi-layer validation approach: 1) Pre-migration inventory with file counts, sizes, and checksums per library, 2) Incremental migration with delta sync to capture changes during multi-week migrations, 3) Automated post-migration comparison reports matching source vs. target (file count, size, metadata, permissions), 4) User acceptance testing with business owners validating critical content, 5) Parallel access period where users can verify content in both environments before source decommission. EPC Group maintains a 99.97% first-pass accuracy rate across 500+ enterprise migrations.
Get a Free SharePoint Migration Assessment
Our assessment includes environment analysis, migration roadmap, timeline estimate, and fixed-fee pricing. No obligation, no sales pressure — just expert guidance from consultants who have done this 500+ times.
SharePoint Migration Consulting: Enterprise Services 2026
EPC Group is a consulting firm specializing in SharePoint migration. We have 29 years of experience and over 11,000 completed projects.
Our services include:
- On-premises to SharePoint Online migrations
- Tenant-to-tenant migrations
- Cross-platform migrations from Google Drive, Box, and Dropbox
All migrations ensure compliance with:
- HIPAA
- SOC 2
- FedRAMP
- GDPR
A free migration assessment is available.
Key facts
- 29 years of Microsoft consulting. 11,000+ enterprise engagements. 6,500+ SharePoint implementations.
- Migration types: on-prem to Online, tenant-to-tenant, Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, OpenText, Documentum.
- Tools: Microsoft SPMT (in-place), ShareGate (permissions), AvePoint Migrator (compliance reporting).
- ROT reduction: most organizations have 30–50% redundant, obsolete, or trivial content before migration.
- Validation: content integrity, metadata accuracy, permission correctness, functionality, and compliance checked post-migration.
- Compliance: HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, GDPR, CMMC, FERPA from day one.
Migration Services We Offer
On-Premises SharePoint to SharePoint Online
- SharePoint 2013, 2016, 2019, and Server Subscription Edition to SharePoint Online.
- Full permission mapping from on-premises groups to Azure AD security groups.
- Content type and managed metadata term store migration.
- Custom solution assessment — classic web parts and workflows require rebuilding in SPFx/Power Automate.
Tenant-to-Tenant Migration
- Microsoft 365 tenant consolidations after M&A events.
- Permission preservation across hub-spoke architectures using ShareGate.
- Guest account migration and identity mapping between Azure AD tenants.
- URL redirect configuration after cutover.
Cross-Platform Migration to SharePoint
- Google Drive / Google Workspace to SharePoint Online — shared drive structure preserved.
- Box to SharePoint — folder hierarchy, permissions, and version history migration.
- Dropbox Business to SharePoint — team folder migration with metadata enrichment.
- OpenText and Documentum to SharePoint Premium — AI classification applied during migration.
- Network file shares (Windows Server) to SharePoint document libraries.
Migration Methodology
EPC Group follows a 6-phase methodology for every enterprise migration. Each phase ends with a signed-off deliverable.
- Assessment — inventory all sites, customizations, workflows, and compliance requirements using SMAT and custom tooling.
- Content Audit — identify and remove ROT content (typically 30–50% of total volume). Reduce migration scope before moving a single file.
- Site Mapping — design the target SharePoint Online information architecture; map source content to target libraries and sites.
- Pilot Migration — validate tools, benchmark throughput, and confirm permission mapping on 2–3 representative sites before full execution.
- Incremental Migration — bulk copy in waves with delta syncs to capture changes during multi-week migrations. Minimize downtime.
- Cutover and Validation — final sync, URL redirects, comprehensive testing, and a 30-day parallel run before source decommissioning.
Zero Data Loss: Our Validation Framework
Data loss is the primary migration risk. We use a multi-layer validation process to prevent it.
Pre-migration validation
- File inventory: counts, sizes, and checksums per library before migration begins.
- Unsupported character scan: identify files with names that will fail in SharePoint Online.
- Path length analysis: flag file paths exceeding the 400-character URL limit.
- Large file identification: flag files over 250 GB (SharePoint Online file size limit).
Post-migration validation (5 dimensions)
- Content integrity — file counts, sizes, and checksums match source to target.
- Metadata accuracy — all custom columns, content types, and managed metadata values preserved.
- Permission correctness — user and group access matches the intended model, not just the source.
- Functionality — search returns expected results; workflows execute correctly; web parts render.
- Compliance — retention labels applied, sensitivity classifications preserved, audit logging active.
Metadata Preservation
Metadata loss is the most common migration quality failure. EPC Group preserves metadata through a systematic process.
- Pre-migration metadata audit — catalog every custom column, content type, managed metadata term, and lookup relationship.
- Metadata mapping — document source-to-target schema differences and naming convention changes.
- Automated transformation rules — convert formats (e.g., date fields, choice column values) during migration.
- Managed metadata term store migration — terms migrated before content; lookup relationships preserved.
- Post-migration metadata validation — verify every required column has a value in the target library.
Compliance in Migration
Regulated organizations must maintain compliance during migration — not just after go-live.
- HIPAA: sensitivity labels for all PHI content applied before migration; DLP policies active before first file moves.
- SOC 2: audit logging enabled in the target tenant before migration begins; chain of custody documented.
- FedRAMP: migration runs in GCC or GCC High environments; data never touches a non-compliant endpoint.
- GDPR: data residency validated before migration — content stays in the correct geographic region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does SharePoint migration consulting cost?
Small migrations, which are under 1 TB and involve a single site, start at $25,000.
Mid-size migrations, ranging from 1 to 10 TB across multiple sites, cost between $50,000 and $150,000.
Large enterprise migrations exceed 10 TB and serve over 10,000 users with multi-compliance needs. These migrations range from $150,000 to over $500,000.
Pricing is influenced by several factors:
- Data volume
- User count
- Compliance requirements
- Customization complexity
How long does a SharePoint migration take?
Small migrations typically take 4–6 weeks. Mid-size migrations usually require 8–12 weeks. Large enterprise migrations can take 12–16 weeks and often involve phased wave rollouts.
The timeline for migrations depends on several factors:
- Data volume
- Customization complexity
- User acceptance testing requirements
What migration tool do you use?
We choose the migration tool based on the specific scenario. Here are our preferred options:
- Microsoft SPMT for in-place tenant scenarios (free).
- ShareGate for permission-heavy SharePoint-to-SharePoint moves.
- AvePoint Migrator for enterprise-scale cross-platform migrations with compliance reporting.
We utilize all three tools for large engagements.
How do you prevent data loss during SharePoint migration?
We utilize a 5-dimension validation framework that includes:
- Content integrity: file counts and checksums
- Metadata accuracy
- Permission correctness
- Functionality testing
- Compliance validation
During multi-week migrations, we perform incremental delta syncs to capture changes. We also maintain a 30-day parallel run before decommissioning the source.
Can you migrate from Google Drive to SharePoint?
We migrate from multiple cloud storage platforms to SharePoint Online. These platforms include:
- Google Drive
- Google Shared Drives
- Box
- Dropbox
During the migration, we ensure that folder structures, permissions, and version history are preserved.
We also apply SharePoint metadata and content types during the migration process, ensuring everything is organized from the start.
Get a Free Migration Assessment
Talk to a SharePoint migration architect about your source environment, compliance requirements, and timeline. Call (888) 381-9725 or request a free migration assessment.