The SharePoint Migration Tool, or SPMT, is a free utility offered by Microsoft that assists users in migrating files and content to SharePoint Online and OneDrive. Many organizations use it for basic migrations, but it has several limitations that affect performance and functionality.

In this blog will we discuss the limitations posed by the SharePoint Migration Tool and then provide an alternative solution. 

What is the SharePoint Migration Tool?

The SharePoint Migration Tool allows migration of content from:

• File shares
• SharePoint Server 2010, 2013, and 2016
• OneDrive for Business

It is simple and suitable for sunsets of migration. However, it lacks many advanced features for complex migrations.

Key Limitations of the SharePoint Migration Tool

Here are some important SharePoint migration tool limitations: 

1. Limited Support for SharePoint Versions

Not every version of SharePoint Server is supported by SPMT. The three and only supported versions are

• SharePoint Server 2010
• SharePoint Server 2013
• SharePoint Server 2016

Older versions are unsupported, e.g., SharePoint 2007. Hence, businesses relying upon legacy systems will find it challenging. 

2. No Support for SharePoint On-Premises to On-Premises Migration

The tool only supports online SharePoint to SharePoint migration. Therefore, it doesn't provide any assistance on the on-premises to on-premises migration. If a business is using SharePoint Server without any cloud adoption, it will be left with no option other than to look for third-party solutions.

3. Limited Migration of Metadata and Permissions

SPMT does not completely support the migration of metadata and permissions. Some other restrictions are:

• It loses custom metadata during migration.
• User permissions are not transferred completely. 
• It is unable to migrate version history correctly.

This may lead to inconsistent data and extra manual work. 

4. Performance and Speed Issues

Large-scale migrations can take a long time due to:

• Limited throttling control
• Slower file transfer rates
• Frequent errors requiring manual intervention

Businesses with large data volumes may face significant delays.

5. Absence of Advanced Reporting and Monitoring

Lack of any sort of advanced reporting and monitoring exists for the SharePoint Migration Tool; instead, users may find themselves:

• Tracking the progress of migration
• Identifying file transfers that failed
• Diagnosing errors most efficiently

Thus, finding it troublesome to troubleshoot in large-scale migrations.

6. Does Not Support Complicated Workflows and Customization.

Custom workflows and integration are part of SharePoint for many organizations. SPMT does not support:

• Migration of complex workflows
• Custom scripts and web parts
• Third-party SharePoint applications

This can only result in malfunctioning after migration.

Alternative Solution – Kernel Migration for SharePoint

When looking for a brilliant SharePoint to SharePoint migration tool, review the Kernel Migration for SharePoint. It has:

• Support for all SharePoint versions
• Easy on-premise and cloud migrations
• Exact Metadata and Permission Transfer
• Advanced Reporting and Monitoring Tools
• Complex Workflows and Custom Elements Support

This tool provides excellent migration with less data loss.

Conclusion

The SharePoint Migration Tool is good for basic migrations- just a little into advanced functionality. It fails in quite a few ways - it has no version support, it is slow, and it does not complete metadata transfers.

Kernel Migration for SharePoint is a better application for migrating because it allows efficiency, saves time, and has state-of-the-art migration features.

Need a customized migration plan for your enterprise? Check out Kernel Migration for SharePoint today!