Network Upload vs Third-Party PST to Office 365 Migration Tools: What Admins Should Know

Microsoft 365 (Office 365) is a cloud-based service that many organizations prefer to move on to. When migrating to this service, they also need to move their mailbox data - in PST files - from their existing on-premises platform to it. 

For this, they can use the manual built-in Network Upload method in Microsoft 365 or specialized third-party PST migration tools. Though both these approaches can help in successfully migrating the PST files to Microsoft 365, they differ in terms of complexity, automation, speed, and scalability. 

In this article, we will compare both these approaches to help the administrators choose the most suitable option for their PST to Office 365 migration requirements. 

What is Network Upload Method for PST Import?

Network Upload is a method provided by Microsoft for importing PST files into Microsoft 365 mailboxes. By using this method, administrators can upload PST files to Azure storage by using AzCopy tool. They then create an import job in Microsoft Purview and use a CSV file to map PST files to the corresponding mailboxes.

Since this feature is available with Microsoft 365, there is no additional cost involved. It is best suited for organizations where PST files are already stored in a central location and the migration scope is relatively small. 

How to Use Network Upload Method?

Here are the steps to use the Network Upload method to import PST files into Microsoft 365:

• Assign the Mailbox Import Export and other required roles to the user/admin.
• Create an import job in Microsoft Purview.
• Generate a SAS URL for the Azure Storage location.
• Download the AzCopy tool.
• Upload PST files to Azure Storage using the AzCopy tool.
• Verify the uploaded PST files using Azure Storage Explorer.
• Prepare and upload a CSV mapping file to map the PST files with the mailboxes on Microsoft 365. 
• Validate the mapping and start the import job.

Limitations of the Network Upload 

Although Network Upload is a reliable method, there are several limitations associated with. These are: 

Multiple Manual Steps Involved

This method involves several manuals steps that are time-consuming and tedious to perform. This also increases the chances of human errors. Moreover, it requires technical expertise to successfully perform the process. 

Mailbox Mapping Errors

Incorrect mailbox mapping can lead to failed import jobs or misplaced mailbox data. Even a small error in the CSV file can affect the migration.

PST File Size and other Limits

Microsoft recommends keeping the PST file size under 20 GB for better performance. Mail items larger than 150 MB are also skipped during import process. These limits create extra preparation work. Admins may need to split large PSTs and remove oversized items before uploading the PST files.

Troubleshooting can be Time-Consuming

When a Network Upload job fails, administrators need to first identify the root cause. Resolving the issues can take considerable time, especially when multiple PST files are being imported. 

No Advanced Filtering Options

Network Upload method offers limited control over what data is imported. It does not provide any advanced filtering options to selectively import mail items. As a result, admins have to import the entire PST file, even if only specific data is needed, which can increase the time and storage consumption.

What are Third-Party PST Migration Tools?

Third-party PST migration tools are specialized tools that are developed to simplify the process of importing PST files into Microsoft 365 (Office 365). These tools provide user-friendly interface with additional migration features and help automate much of the migration process. 

Benefits of Third-Party PST Migration Tools

Apart from simplifying the migration process, these tool offer the following benefits: 

• Directly migrate PST files to Microsoft 365 (Office 365).
• Automatic as well as manual mapping of mailboxes.  
• Bulk migration of PST files using CSV file. 
• Support migration of encrypted PST files. 
• Auto-split large-sized PST files during migration. 
• Support incremental migration.
• Specific folder migration for organized and controlled PST import.
• Advanced filtering options for controlled migration. 
• Real-time monitoring of migration process and review of migration job.

Which PST Migration Tool to Choose?

Though there are several PST to Office 365 migration tools available, Stellar Migrator for Outlook is one of the most trusted and recommended tools by IT administrators. This tool is specially designed to import PST to Office 365 (Microsoft 365) with complete integrity and precision. It ensures smooth and quick transfer of PST files by preserving folder structure and hierarchy. 

Quick Comparison: Network Upload vs Third-Party PST Migration Tool 

Conclusion

Although Network Upload is a reliable option for importing PST into Microsoft 365, it works well for small and straightforward migration projects. It also requires administrators to manually configure the import process, map mailboxes, and monitor the migration.

For large-scale deployments or complex migrations, third-party PST migration tools, like Stellar Migrator for Outlook make the import process easier. It offers automated mailbox mapping, bulk migration capabilities, detailed reporting, and support for encrypted PST files. It reduces administrative effort while ensuring an efficient and reliable migration.