Todd Maddex - Systems Admin

I have migrated several companies and individuals from a pop3, imap, or exchange server email solution into Google Apps. I feel the Google interface rocks and is definitely the way to go instead of relying on MS Outlook. You can also use outlook...but...I hate it.

Please follow some of the steps I have laid out quickly below to make sure you have a successful migration!



1 Have a good backup
2 Confirm ownership of your domain ahead of time and create accounts
3 Merge all current mail/contacts into 1 pst folder or exchange
4 Do not use migration tool...use Google Sync Tool if premier account.

a. Google email uploader: http://mail.google.com/mail/help/email_uploader.html
b. Google Apps Sync: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gappssync

5 Have Google Sync Tool downloaded and available on a local fileshare. Javascript errors
6 Change folder names in outlook prior to Google Sync. Long folder names will not be readable on the google interface. It just doesn't work. I would recommend shortening any names as much as possible before the migration. You can also go to the labels management and hide most or all of the names if you use the search feature for the mail to make it look better.
7 Reduce your TTL for your domain's DNS prior to changing MX record
8 Change your URL for mail.domainname.com and calendar.domainname.com - ahead of time if poss
9 Do not: stop a sync or migration in progress. doubles data
10 If sync fails:

a. Verify account has logged in and validated
b. Verify "Allow users to upload mail using the Email Migration API" is checked in bottom of Advanced Tools, User Email Uploads - under control panel
c. Verify set to Unlimited (right click Google Apps Sync on toolbar)

11 Do not Delete a user account if it did not go well. You cannot recreate the account for 5 days afterwards. If you already did this, create another user with a similar name and give the user a nickname for the existing email address whose account you deleted. This will allow you to be able to still receive email even though you can't create the account. Just have the user log in with the new account info you provided
12 If you have a user who realized after the fact that they have mail folders stored on a local pst outside of exchange or your main pst file: Create a manual IMAP connection in outlook in addition to the one created with Google Apps Sync and transfer your files one folder at a time. It's going to suck. Google it.
13 If you try to install Google Apps Sync tool from Vista or Win7 computer, you may need to right click on the installer and select Run as Administrator if it is in a shared location on the network.
14 If you install the Google Apps Sync tool and it doesn't prompt you to log into your google account or seems to already be setup but it's not working, then browse to C:\program files\Google\Google Apps Sync\ and select profileeditor.exe



I hope some of this made sense to some of you! Please feel free to comment on any of the items above or add your own personal tips below if you have some. This is a great email solution but the steps above should help make the transition a little more bearable than my first try.

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I've done it before and I'll do it again. I am starting a blog. This is Dave's fault. He thinks I need a blog so when I have a great idea I can document it. What he doesn't know is, I don't ever have good ideas. Please stop reading now because everything I'm going to say someone out there has already said. Seriously! For example. I sometimes try to come up with business ideas or inventions and so far 100% of the time I've invented something that already exists. Websites that already exists. Services that already exist. Sometimes they are exactly how I imagined them and sometimes my ideas are better...but who wants to redo something that already exists and try to make it better. That just makes you look like a copy cat.

I have written a blog in the past and felt like no one was reading it, so I quit. I like to Facebook and most of what I am thinking can go in there. I don't plan to use this much except for posting TECH articles on solutions I have found or things I have figured out.

I am a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and the Lead Systems Admin (computer tech) at Morris Consulting Services, Inc. We're getting ready to setup a DBA and change the name to something cooler. I know what it is...but I'll wait until we announce it to...announce it I guess.

I am also the Co-Host of a weekly tech show called Crash Tech Dummies! It's your weekly source of Tech News, Reviews, and How-Tos! Come check us out at:
www.crashtechdummies.com
youtube.com/crashtechdummies (subscribe to win a free gaming console! Details here.)




facebook.com/crashtechdummies (Like or Become a Fan and you will be my friend! :) )
I'm also on Twitter if anyone's into that:
twitter.com/toddmaddex

So look forward to some mindless ramblings and comment if you can! That way I don't think nobody is out there and delete this blog again!

Todd Maddex

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