Set Hybrid Microsoft Google Environment: A Proper Guide

Are you thinking of setting up a hybrid ecosystem for your organization? You need Microsoft apps and services to access Google. This guide explains the need for accessing both Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace and the methods to access both services.

Many companies nowadays use a hybrid ecosystem to manage their modern work environments. Microsoft and Google are leading platforms that offer powerful features for managing emails, documents, and real-time collaboration. For this, you need structured access between the two services.

By integrating Microsoft 365 apps with Google Workspace create a smooth workflow. However, it is not a straightforward process because Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace use different technologies.

User Scenarios Where You Need to Access Microsoft to Google

There are certain situations where Microsoft and Google often coexist for continuity, collaboration, and data management. Below are the common cases.

• In situations where employees use the Gmail interface, but the company hosts email on their Microsoft 365, startups moving to Google Workspace but still using Microsoft mailboxes, or admins wanting centralized inbox management, they need to connect Microsoft 365 to Gmail.
• Some teams use Microsoft Teams, others use Google Meet. In that case, syncing the Outlook calendar with Google Calendar is required.
• The sales and HR teams regularly need unified contact directories, so they often need access to Microsoft contacts in Google Workspace.
• The marketing team uses Google Drive, the IT department stores their documents in SharePoint, etc. In these scenarios, they need to combine their Microsoft documents with Google Drive.

From these situations, you can see the bigger picture that organizations no longer operate on a single platform. They want flexibility between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. So, here are the ways to access Microsoft services through Google.

Using IMAP Method

To access Exchange Online emails directly in Gmail, the IMAP option is great. This method is suitable for basic email access by individual users.

1. First, enable IMAP in Microsoft 365 by logging in to the Admin Center.
2. Then, Users and Active Users. Choose the mailbox user and click Mail.
3. Select Manage email apps and enable IMAP.
4. After that, log in to Gmail and go to Settings.
5. Click Accounts and Import, then Add a mail account.
6. Provide your Microsoft 365 email address and choose Import emails from my other account (POP3).
7. Enter credentials:
   • IMAP server: outlook.office365.com
   • Port: 993 and Encryption: SSL/TLS
   • SMTP Server: smtp.office365.com
   • Port: 587 and Encryption: STARTLS
8. Save the configuration

It is an easy method, but it only supports one-way synchronization. You may have issues with folder mapping inconsistencies and may create duplicate sent items.

Access Microsoft Calendar in Google

To access the Calendar, you can use the ICS link method. In this, you have to first publish your Microsoft calendar and then share it with Google.

1. In Outlook Web App, go to Settings.
2. Click Calendar and then Shared Calendars.
3. Select your calendar and choose permissions. Click the Publish button.
4. Copy the ICS link. Now, add this to the Calendar.
5. In Google Calendar, click Other Calendars and then Choose from URL.
6. Paste the ICS link and then Add Calendar.

Link Contacts with Google Contacts

To manage contacts in hybrid Microsoft and Google environment, you can manually import or export them.

1. In the Outlook Web, go to People and then click on the Manage option.
2. Choose Export contacts and then download the CSV file.
3. Go to the Google Contacts and then click the Import option.
4. Upload the CSV file. After that, review and merge duplicates.

Access Microsoft Documents in Google

If you want to connect Microsoft OneDrive or SharePoint services to Google. You have to manually download and upload the files.

1. Log in to your OneDrive or SharePoint.
2. Choose the Files or folders and then click Download.
3. Log in to Google Drive. Press the New button.
4. Select File Upload and then Upload files.

Limitations of Microsoft and Google Integration

There are several ways to connect your Microsoft apps and services to Google. However, there is no fully seamless method available. Most methods can create problems when you are creating a hybrid environment in Microsoft and Google.

• Most of the options are one-way sync, where you can view your Microsoft data in Google but not the other way.
• Microsoft and Google have different identity management systems that create separate login credentials for each ecosystem, OAuth permission conflicts, multi-factor authentication compatibility issues, etc.
• Data formatting issues can also occur as Microsoft and Google use different file formats and collaboration models.
• Manually accessing the Microsoft apps on Google may result in loss of permissions and metadata.

There are many other limitations you may face. Manual methods are easy, but they are also time-consuming when your account has bulk data. For this, professionals prefer smart software.

Expert Recommendations for Microsoft Apps and Services Access to Google

IT admins and organizations need a robust way to move their data from one platform to another. As they have to transfer a large amount of data. For this, a professional software would be best as it can move multiple data points without any issues. Therefore, I would like to introduce you to SysTools Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace Migration Tool, a reliable option to completely move the data, including emails, contacts, calendar, and documents, with permissions and folder hierarchy.

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To Conclude

If you want to create a hybrid ecosystem of Microsoft and Google Workspace. This guide explains how to integrate the two platforms effectively. In this, I have provided ways to individually connect your Microsoft services to Google. Additionally, I have presented a professional method that allows you to migrate and gain complete access to Google Workspace.