How to Use Split Delivery in G Suite to Office 365 Migration?

For a small team, a complete cutover migration is easier and more manageable. But, for mid-sized or large organizations, transferring the complete data at once is quite risky. For this reason, people use Google Workspace split delivery to move their data in batches rather than at once. In this article, I am going to explain how you can set up Google Workspace split delivery to Office 365 in simple terms.

What is Split Delivery in G Suite?

The split delivery is a core email routing function in Google Workspace. In this user has the ability send emails between G Suite and other on-premise servers like Microsoft 365 for the same domain. This feature is based on the routing rules that you set in Google Admin Console. Split delivery is perfect for migration or a hybrid setup when some users are on Google, and others have Office 365.

To understand it, Google is the primary gatekeeper. It accepts all the incoming emails. Messages that belong to its own users, Google keep it, and those that do not belong are redirected to the Microsoft 365 server. This function is different than dual delivery, where you send every email to multiple systems for redundancy or migration. While split is used for specific user groups.

Why Need for Split Delivery for G Suite Migration?

Many companies use split delivery for the smooth migration of their data in stages. It is a safe option as it delivers the messages to two platforms based on the recipient rules. With this, you will get many benefits, like.

• Instead of transferring complete data at once, you move it in groups. This way, some of the emails are sent to Office 365, and some of themare left in the G Suite.
• This allows coexistence between G Suite and Office 365. Where some use the Google environment and others the Microsoft environment under the same domain.
• Before you fully switch to Office 365, split delivery helps you to test the programs first. If everything is fine, you can later transfer the rest of the accounts.
• Moving the entire mailbox is risky, but with a gradual transition and fallback options, your migration will be safer.
• It also helps you manage your emails across multiple servers for a long time.

Therefore, using the split delivery, you will experience zero downtime and reduce risk when moving your data from G Suite. To set up the split delivery, you have to focus on several points, which I have mentioned below.

Prerequisites to SetUp Split Delivery

• The most important thing in preparation is that both the G Suite and Office 365 are connecting to the same domain.
• The domain must be owned by the organization and properly verified.
• When setting up the function, you must have complete administrative access to both platforms.
• The domain MX records must point to Google as your primary mail server.
• Update the domain’s DNS SPF record to get both programs and, by configuring DKIM, prevent authentication errors and spam flagging.

This checklist makes the procedure easier, and you can avoid any issues. After that, it is time to set up the split delivery.

Guide for Google Workspace Split Delivery to Office 365

The procedure is begin from first configuring your domain’s MX records to point to Google. Then, make Microsoft 365 a secondary host within the Google Admin. After that, the main step starts: create a routing rule to identify the incoming messages. Lastly, update the SPF and DKIM records.

This is an overview that lets you clarify how you are going to make the G Suite and Office 365 co-exist. Below is the complete step-by-step process, so carefully follow it.

Step 1: Point Domain DNS to Google Workspace

1. Go to your Domain DNS verification.
2. Here, I am going to verify only Google’s MX records.
3. Make sure you lower the TTL (like, 300 seconds) so that the setup changes apply quickly.

Step 2: Prepare the Microsoft 365 Account

1. Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin center. Add and verify the same domain using G Suite.
2. Then, create the user accounts in the Microsft for the migration.
3. Assign the license to all the user accounts that you created.
4. Also, create mailboxes where your emails are going to be stored.

Don’t change the MX records yet, as at this stage, we need G Suite as the primary email system.

Step 3: Prepare your G Suite Account

1. Log in to the Google Admin Console. Check that all the users are active and the mail flow is normal.
2. Select the users for the first migration batch. For this, you must have super admin access.
3. Create a backup of your Gmail data before migrating it.

Step 4: Create Split Delivery Routing

In this, I am going to create a routing rule, where emails for migrated users will be delivered to O365 and rest of them stay in the Gmai.

1. In the Admin Console, navigate to the Apps.
2. Click on the Google Workspace and then Gmail.
3. Select the Routing option. Click on Configure under the Routing option.
4. Now, create a new routing rule
   • Select Email messages to affect: for incoming and internal messages.
   • For recipients: Specific user or groups only
5. After creating the rule, enable the Change route button.
6. Now, add the mail route as Microsoft 365:
   • Host: your-domain.mail.protection.outlook.com
   • Port: 25
   • TLS required
7. Lastly, save and apply the rule.

Step 5: Configure Inbound Connector in Office 365

1. Again, go back to Exchange Admin Center. Then, Mail Flow and Connectors.
2. Create a new connector by adding From: Google Workspace and To: Microsoft 365.
3. Now, allow the message from G Suite IP ranges. Enable the TLS encryption and validate the connector.

Step 6: Update the Domain MX Records

1. Here, keep the Google Workspace as primary.
2. Make sure Office 365 MX records are not active yet.
3. For the final cutover, lower the DNS to 300 seconds (recommended).

So, here are the steps to Google Workspace split delivery to Office 365. After this, when the incoming emails are received in Google Workspace, those users who havean Office 365 account move their emails into them. However, this method only transfers incoming emails, not the old and existing emails. Also, it doesn’t apply to contacts, calendars, and documents.

Move Old or Existing G Suite Data

When it comes to transferring Google Workspace data, including emails, contacts, calendars, and documents, into Micorosoft environment. Tools like SysTools G Suite to Office 365 Migration are a perfect choice. As it can migrate complete data without making any issues. The software is secure when it comes to handling the admin credentials and the data. Here, the utility easily moves multiple user accounts and specific data using the date filter button.

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Conclusion

To make the migration process easier, split delivery is great. Here, I have provided proper and detailed steps for Google Workspace split delivery to Office 365. Make sure you have properly prepared your process by following the pre-requisite checklist. To complete the migration, professional software will be great.