Migrating R: drives to SharePoint Online and/or Teams

Increased capacity for data storage, anytime, anywhere access to files, and the ability to collaborate in realtime with peers

Motivation behind the change

SharePoint Online lets you share and manage content, knowledge, and applications to empower teamwork, quickly find information, and seamlessly collaborate across the organization. Teams allows you to chat, manage projects, and work on documents all in one place. Learn more about Teams.

Relationship to other Microsoft 365 projects

Audience(s) impacted

The main audience for this current phase of work are IST-managed computers in academic support units (ASUs). However, faculties ready to begin R: drive to SharePoint Online and/or Teams migrations can contact IST for assistance.

Known impacts

Learning how to migrate files and/or folders from R: drive to SharePoint Online and/or Teams, where applicable (KB article coming soon)
Learning how to allocate/remove permissions in SharePoint Online and Teams (KB article coming soon)

Benefits of the change

Increased capacity for storing data
Access files from anywhere at any time
Easily share, co-author, or collaborate on content with colleagues in real time (no VPN required; two-factor authentication (2FA) is required)
Integration with other Microsoft 365 apps
Autosave feature
Enhanced security
Data is encrypted at rest and is stored in Canada

Risk of not completing the change

Continued costs for storage and maintenance of high-speed, high-capacity storage equipment housed in on-campus server rooms

Important date(s)

Fall 2022: IST to pilot migration process and create necessary documentation and support resources; develop a migration plan for ASUs
August 2022: Project kick-off and planning begins
Individuals who wish to migrate from R: drive to SharePoint and/or Teams early may contact their IST Account rep

Project resources

Project contact(s)

Lisa Tomalty

Diana Timmermans