Serena Software: How to Successfully Migrate from Microsoft Exchange to Google Gmail

Google Apps provide broad appeal to Serena officials looking to cut cost of maintaining the Exchange on-premise solution.

The first step Serena undertook was to prepare its staff for what was to come. This was done via an internal PR campaign.

Next Serena had to immerse its people in the fact that a change was coming. They needed to get early implementers onboard. And they produced a variety of communications vehicles to reach their audience.

The next step involved getting the Serena IT staff to fully buy in to the goals of the migration.

The fifth step extended the planning stage to create the project plan, as well as to use the resources Google had made available. At the same time, employees helped tailor the new apps to Serena’s specific use.

Step six involves putting the plan into practice, beginning to use the Google tools and establishing four groups of early adapters to step in and lead the way for others in the organization. And to act as the first layer of defense as to why this is the right move to make.

Step 7 is success. Early adopters have bought in. IT has bought in. And this is the point where peers begin to help other peers.

This step shows some of the success factors involved in the migration, including getting IT onboard early, using Google as a resource and understanding the value of the early adopters in promoting the project.