How to Migrate from an on-Perm Exchange Active Directory Hybrid Azure to full 365 Azure cloud and breaking the hybrid, moving all devices to cloud joined and retiring domain.

Question

Greetings:

We have a current environment of:

On-Perm AD Domain with last exchange server 2010.
200 Devices all domain joined.
Hybrid environment and AAD synch to the cloud from AD.
E3 license for all users
DNS is already going to 365, connector from exchange to EOL

Objective:

Break the hybrid and go full 365 cloud
All users and devices Azure 365 joined
Retiring AD domain, decommissioning last exchange server and no more on perm servers
No Down time

Your help on this project is appreciated.

Accepted Answer

This is an involved project that needs a full plan and not suited for a Q&A but the quick(?) and dirty of it is:

Project Plan: Transition to Full Microsoft 365 Cloud with Autopilot

Overview

This project aims to move from a hybrid environment with on-premises Active Directory to a fully cloud-based Microsoft 365 setup. The project involves decommissioning the on-premises Active Directory domain, removing the last Exchange 2010 server, and ensuring all users and devices are Azure AD-joined with no downtime. Additionally, Microsoft Autopilot will be used to streamline device deployment and management.

Project Scope

Decommission on-premises Active Directory domain and Exchange server.
Transition all users and devices to Azure AD with Microsoft Autopilot.
Ensure uninterrupted services throughout the transition.

Project Steps

Pre-Transition Assessment

Inventory existing resources, including devices, user accounts, and applications relying on the on-premises infrastructure.

Identify any dependencies on the on-premises Exchange server and Active Directory.

Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential points of failure and ensure redundancy.

Preparation and Communication

- Inform stakeholders about the upcoming transition and communicate the project plan and timeline.

   - Backup critical data from the on-premises servers.

      - Prepare a communication plan to keep users informed during the transition.

      **Autopilot Setup**

         - Enroll existing devices in Microsoft Autopilot.

            - Create Autopilot profiles with the necessary configurations for device setup and user policies.

               - Ensure devices are registered with Azure AD for seamless management.

                  - Test Autopilot deployments with a small group of devices to ensure proper functionality.

                  **Transition Planning**

                     - Plan the sequence of tasks to transition to Microsoft 365 without downtime.

                        - Test Azure AD synchronization and Autopilot deployment to ensure a smooth transition from on-premises AD to Azure AD.

                           - Create contingency plans for unexpected issues during the transition.

                           **Transition to Full Microsoft 365 with Autopilot**

                              - Ensure Azure AD synchronization is operational and up-to-date.

                                 - Reassign user mailboxes to Exchange Online, verifying email continuity and data integrity.

                                    - Deploy devices using Microsoft Autopilot to ensure consistent configurations and compliance with security policies.

                                       - Migrate shared resources, group policies, and other necessary configurations to Azure AD.

                                          - Reconfigure device management to ensure all devices are joined to Azure 365.

                                             - Validate DNS configurations to ensure seamless connectivity to Microsoft 365 services.

                                             **Decommissioning On-Premises Infrastructure**

                                                - Decommission the last Exchange server after ensuring all mailboxes and data are in Exchange Online.

                                                   - Decommission the on-premises Active Directory domain after confirming that all users and devices are in Azure AD.

                                                      - Remove and clean up any other on-premises servers and infrastructure.

                                                      **Post-Transition Activities**

                                                         - Monitor system performance and user feedback to identify post-transition issues.

                                                            - Conduct a project review to identify lessons learned and document the process for future reference.

                                                               - Provide user training and support to ensure a smooth transition to the new environment.

Considerations

Implement robust security measures, particularly when using Autopilot for device deployment.
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements during data migration.
Address any unique hardware or software compatibility issues when transitioning devices with Autopilot.
Consider additional training for IT staff to manage Autopilot deployments effectively.

Timeline

The timeline will depend on the complexity of the transition and the size of the organization. Plan a phased approach with clear milestones to ensure a smooth transition without downtime.

Stakeholders

Identify key stakeholders, including IT, business units, and end-users, to ensure all parties are informed and involved throughout the project.

This project plan includes Microsoft Autopilot to streamline device deployment while transitioning to a fully cloud-based Microsoft 365 environment. Adjust the plan as needed based on your organization's specific requirements and timelines.