Is it possible to have a company email (one domain) on google workspace and microsoft 365 for different users?

Question

Our company is currently using Google Workspace for our company emails. We would also like to setup email hosting on microsoft 365 (with the same domain). Is it possible to have one group of users on google workspace email and another on microsoft 365 with the same company domain? The goal is for users to try both and ultimately pick one.

If it is possible, we would appreciate any advise on how to do so (any resource links or methods welcomed).

Answer 1

You can, but it's not a straightforward setup. The big issue is that your MX record can only point at one email system, so you effectively need a method to distribute messages between Google and M365. Generally speaking, it will be much easier if you use a separate domain (or a subdomain), and an acceptable alternative is to also use the default domain you are given with the service (in the case of Exchange Online, it will be companyname.onmicrosoft.com).

If you do plan to use the same domain in both systems, you need to ensure that users are represented correctly in each system, and that some sort of "forwarding" handles the mail delivery to the correct mailbox. There are some guidelines here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/misc/pilot-microsoft-365-from-my-custom-domain?view=o365-worldwide

Answer 2

I am doing the same for this topic. Currently MX records point to Exchange Online. A user on the google domain but not on Exchange could receive Emails from Exchange. But fail on sending Email from Google SMTP to Exchange. Google SMTP IP vary a lot and it is hard to setup into EAC connector. Another way to use certificate file to authenticate with Exchange online is not supported by Google.

Any idea?