Move Users to Teams Only Mode: Seamless Migration Strategies

Transitioning to Teams Only mode in Microsoft Teams requires careful consideration, particularly for organizations currently utilizing Skype for Business. Teams Only mode is the final state in the upgrade journey from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams, where all messaging, meetings, and calling capabilities are handled exclusively in Teams. As we move users to Teams Only mode, we’re ensuring that we fully harness the collaborative power of Teams, integrating chat, video, and file collaboration in one platform, effectively streamlining communication across the organization.

Migrating to Teams Only mode isn’t just about technological shifts; it involves executing a plan that prepares both the infrastructure and users for the change. We must verify that devices support Teams and that DNS settings are configured correctly. For instance, SIP-enabled domains need the ‘lyncdiscover’ DNS record pointing towards Microsoft 365. This careful approach helps us avoid any disruption of services during the transition, allowing users to immediately benefit from the unified experience of Microsoft Teams post-migration.

Preparing for Teams Only Mode

To successfully move to Teams Only mode, it’s crucial to analyze your existing environment and formulate a meticulous strategy. This involves evaluating current systems, understanding how Skype for Business and Teams will coexist, and deciding on the detailed steps for the transition.

Assessing Current Infrastructure

In preparing for Teams Only mode, we first need to examine our current infrastructure to ensure compatibility. Devices and systems that do not support Teams must be replaced or updated.

Understanding Coexistence Modes

Before transitioning, it’s essential that we understand the different coexistence modes available. This will influence how Skype for Business and Teams interact during the transition.

Planning the Migration Strategy

Once we’re comfortable with our infrastructure’s readiness and have a solid grasp of the different modes, we then lay out our migration strategy. For a smooth transition, all on-premises users must be moved to Teams Only using the Move-CsUser command provided by the Skype for Business Server management tools.

Executing the Upgrade Process

In migrating to Teams Only mode, meticulous planning meets decisive action. Our focus lies solely on transitioning users effectively to Microsoft Teams, ensuring a seamless user experience during and after the move.

Configuring Org-Wide Settings

Before individual users can be upgraded to Teams Only mode, we must adjust the organization-wide settings. It’s our responsibility to lay a solid foundation by ensuring all legacy services like Skype for Business are fully transitioned to the cloud. Here’s how we configure our tenant settings step by step:

Given the critical nature, we also update DNS records to reflect the new direction towards Microsoft 365, cementing the foundation for our Teams Only environment.

Assigning TeamsUpgrade Policies

The next crucial step involves assigning the right TeamsUpgrade policies. We must be strategic, tailoring policies that cater to the user’s need for functionality and the organization’s operational flow.

Grant-CsTeamsUpgradePolicy is our trusted PowerShell cmdlet to assign the PolicyName “UpgradeToTeams”. This is a representation of our detailed approach:

This diligence ensures that each user receives a bespoke upgrade process, tailored to their needs and ensures the integrity of our operational standards.

Automating with PowerShell Scripts

We embrace efficiency and accuracy through automation. By utilizing PowerShell scripts, we streamline the process, minimizing human error and saving valuable time. Here’s how we execute the automation:

We kick-start the upgrade by importing the necessary modules. The SkypeOnlineConnector is essential, as it includes the cmdlets we need.

With these modules loaded, our script then reads user identities from a CSV file, applying the Teams Only mode with pixel-perfect precision through lines of robust PowerShell code:

Import-Csv -Path “c:\temp\users.csv” | ForEach-Object { Grant-CsTeamsUpgradePolicy -Identity $_.SipAddress -PolicyName “UpgradeToTeams” }

We ensure that every command, every user, and every policy aligns perfectly, orchestring a harmonious shift to an optimized Teams Only mode, fully automated and meticulously executed.

Post-Migration Activities

After completing the migration to Teams Only mode, it’s crucial for us to perform post-migration checks to ensure that users are experiencing seamless communication and collaboration capabilities.

Verifying User Experiences

Once the users have been moved to Teams Only mode, we carefully monitor and verify that all users’ experiences align with expected outcomes. We check the functionality of features like messaging, meetings, and calls for each user.

We use scripts when possible to automate verification processes. For example, using CSV files, we might generate reports with user details such as UserPrincipalName and SIP address, and check against the expected behavior in Teams.

Handling Post-Upgrade Issues

Should any errors arise post-migration, our team is equipped to handle them promptly. Common issues could include login problems or difficulties in accessing Teams features.

It’s imperative to note that any unresolved issues have the potential to affect the user experience negatively. Therefore, we make it a priority to meticulously check the homed status of each migrated account and to confirm that all services are correctly aligned for users to leverage the full suite of Teams functionalities.