Migrating from SharePoint 2016 to SharePoint Online is no longer a future project, it is a business-critical requirement. With the July 14, 2026, deadline for the end of Microsoft extended support approaching, UK organisations still running on-premises SharePoint 2016 environments face significant security, compliance, and operational risks.”
As a leading SharePoint Partner UK, Bridgeall provides the expert SharePoint consultancy and technical framework needed to transition your legacy data into a modern, AI-ready digital workplace.
Why You Must Migrate from SharePoint 2016 Now
While SharePoint 2016 was a stable workhorse, it lacks the infrastructure to support today’s hybrid work requirements. Staying on this legacy version means:
- Zero Security Patches: After July 2026, no new vulnerabilities will be patched by Microsoft.
- Higher infrastructure costs: Maintaining on-premises servers and SQL licences is expensive.
- Lack of AI Integration: You cannot leverage Microsoft Copilot or advanced automation within a 2016 environment.
- Legacy Workflow Risks: SharePoint 2013-style workflows (commonly used in 2016) are being retired, threatening to break your core business processes.
Our 5-Step SharePoint 2016 Migration Framework
At Bridgeall, our SharePoint implementation process for legacy upgrades is designed to minimise downtime and ensure 100% data integrity.
- The Legacy Audit & Clean-up
SharePoint 2016 environments often suffer from content sprawl. We use specialised tools to audit your sites, identifying what needs to move and what can be archived. Typically, 30-50% of legacy data is redundant, and removing it now saves significant time and costs during the migration.
- Architecture Modernisation
SharePoint 2016 relies on a deep hierarchical structure (subsites). Modern SharePoint Online uses a flat architecture. Our SharePoint consultancy team will help you redesign your environment using Hub Sites, ensuring navigation is flexible and your search is lightning-fast.
- Transitioning Customisations (InfoPath & Workflows)
Many 2016 environments rely on InfoPath forms and SharePoint Designer workflows, which are incompatible with SharePoint Online. We help you rebuild these legacy processes using:
- Microsoft Power Automate for advanced, cross-platform workflows.
- Microsoft Power Apps for mobile-friendly, modern business forms.
- Phased Migration Execution
We don’t believe in big-bang migrations that disrupt your business. Our SharePoint migration services include a phased rollout:
- Pilot Phase: Migrate a single department to validate the methodology.
- Data Waves: Move larger datasets during off-peak hours to ensure zero impact on productivity.
- Governance and AI-Readiness
The final step ensures your data is secure. We implement Microsoft Purview for data retention and sensitivity labels. By moving to the cloud, your data becomes structured and accessible to Microsoft Copilot, allowing your team to work faster and smarter.
Ready to Move from SharePoint 2016?
Don’t leave your migration until it’s too late. As an experienced SharePoint Migration UK partner, Bridgeall has helped hundreds of organisations successfully transition from legacy on-premise environments to SharePoint Online.
