Understanding the Conversion of Distribution Lists to Microsoft 365 Groups
As cloud technology has rapidly grown and evolved, Microsoft has introduced many new products and services to help organizations become more productive and efficient. One of these is Microsoft 365 Groups, which is part of the Office 365 suite of products. Microsoft 365 Groups allow users to collaborate and communicate with each other in a secure, organized manner.
However, with the introduction of Microsoft 365 Groups, there was a need to convert existing distribution lists to the new service. Microsoft has been offering this conversion service since 2018, but as of April 2021, they are officially deprecating this service. In this blog post, we will explore why this decision was made and what the implications are for organizations that have existing distribution lists.
What is a Distribution List?
A distribution list is a type of email list that is used to send emails to multiple people at once. It is typically used for internal communication or for marketing purposes. The emails are sent to the list and then forwarded to the individual recipients.
What is Microsoft 365 Groups?
Microsoft 365 Groups is a cloud-based service that allows users to collaborate and communicate with each other in a secure, organized manner. It is part of the Office 365 suite of products and is designed to help organizations be more productive and efficient.
Why is Microsoft Deprecating the Conversion of Distribution Lists to Microsoft 365 Groups?
Microsoft has decided to deprecate the conversion of distribution lists to Microsoft 365 Groups for a few reasons. First, they believe that the conversion process is not an efficient use of resources, as it requires manual effort and is prone to errors.
Second, they want to ensure that customers are using the latest version of the product and are taking advantage of all the features that Microsoft 365 Groups has to offer. Finally, the conversion process is not compatible with the latest versions of Exchange and Office 365, which could lead to errors or unexpected behavior.
What are the Implications?
The deprecation of the conversion process will have several implications for organizations that have existing distribution lists.
First, any existing distribution lists will need to be migrated to Microsoft 365 Groups. This can be done manually, but it is time-consuming and prone to errors. Alternatively, organizations can use a third-party tool or service to automate the process.
Second, organizations will need to ensure that their users are familiar with the new Microsoft 365 Groups interface and understand how to use it effectively. This may require additional training and education for users.
Finally, organizations will need to monitor their Microsoft 365 Groups to ensure that they are properly configured and that any changes are recorded. This could involve implementing a governance policy and setting up automated processes to monitor the environment.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s decision to deprecate the conversion of distribution lists to Microsoft 365 Groups is understandable, as it will help ensure that customers are taking full advantage of the latest features and tools that the service offers. However, this decision does have several implications for organizations that have existing distribution lists. Organizations should take the time to migrate their distribution lists to Microsoft 365 Groups and ensure that their users are properly trained on the new service. Additionally, organizations should implement a governance policy and set up automated processes to monitor the environment.
By following these steps, organizations can ensure that their Microsoft 365 Groups are properly configured and that any changes are tracked. This will help ensure that the service is used effectively and that organizations get the most out of their subscription.
References:
Deprecating Conversion of Distribution Lists to Microsoft 365 Groups
