When businesses move to Microsoft 365 (M365), one of the most common questions we hear is:
“Why can’t you just lift and shift our data?”
It’s a fair question – but the truth is, that “quick win” often ends up being an expensive mistake.
In fact, Gartner found that 83% of cloud migrations fail to deliver their expected business value – most because they prioritise speed over strategy.
At Appetite, we take a different approach.
Why “Lift and Shift” Sounds Easier
A simple lift-and-shift might move your files, but it doesn’t address how your teams actually use information day to day.
It’s like unpacking boxes into random rooms – everything’s technically “moved,” but nothing’s where it should be.
That’s why we begin every M365 migration with strategic analysis – understanding your business, your processes, and your metadata (the information about your data).
This ensures your new Microsoft 365 workspace is structured for collaboration, not chaos.
The Hidden Costs of a Quick Migration
Many businesses learn the hard way that speed can create long-term inefficiency.
Here’s what typically happens when companies take the fast route:
⚠️ Lost context – files are moved, but the metadata (ownership, version history, permissions) isn’t.
🧩 Fragmented collaboration – Teams and SharePoint become silos instead of connected workspaces.
📉 Missed automation opportunities – manual processes stay manual because workflows weren’t mapped.
🤖 AI limitations – messy data means Copilot and Power Platform tools can’t deliver accurate insights.
A Real Example
One 45-person firm migrated 2TB of data to SharePoint in just three weeks.
The initial cost? £15,000.
Six months later:
- 8 years of version history were lost
- 127 hours per month were wasted searching for files
- £18,000 was spent fixing the chaos
💸 Total damage: over £50,000 – all for trying to save two weeks of planning.
A Smarter Approach to Microsoft 365
Our framework focuses on getting the foundations right – building a modern, AI-ready workspace that reflects how your business really operates.
We:
→ Conduct a process audit before touching files
→ Map real-world workflows and metadata
→ Design a taxonomy that matches how people think
→ Identify what can be archived vs migrated to cut storage costs and maintain compliance
→ Build automation and testing into the migration process
It may take a few weeks longer upfront, but it saves months – even years – of productivity loss later.
Through our Skills 365 training programmes, we also empower teams to make the most of their new tools – ensuring they don’t just migrate successfully, but actually work smarter across Microsoft 365.
The Long-Term Payoff
HereThe result is an M365 environment that works with you, not against you:
✅ Stronger collaboration
✅ More effective automation
✅ Smarter Power BI insights
✅ A foundation ready for AI agents and the Power Platform
Your data migration isn’t just an IT project – it’s a business transformation opportunity.
Don’t waste it trying to save a fortnight.
Ready to Modernise the Right Way?
👉 Thinking about moving to Microsoft 365 or reviewing how you’re using it?
Book a free consultation with our team to explore how to get the most from your migration — and future-proof your investment for AI and beyond.
