We would like to migrate our domain from an existing on-premise 2003 Small Business Server to Office 365. We only have 2 users so I am looking for the easiest upgrade path. We will be retiring the SBS 2003 Server and have purchased a Windows 2012 Server to use strictly as a files server post-migration. I would like to split the migration into 2 phases:
1 Migrate the Exchange Server functionality to Office 365 in Phase 1
2. Migrate the file server function from SBS 2003 to Windows Server 2012 in Phase 2. Sicne I only have 2 users, I am going to kill the SBS 2003 domain, create a new local domain, and migrate the profiles and files.
The questions I have:
1. Can I migrate the domain mail server functionality to Office 365 and just import the PSTs for the 2 accounts. I have perused the migration documents but I think it would be easiest just to import the PSTs for 2 users rather than setting up the Outlook Anywhere on a 2003 Server.
2. Will I be able to initially manage the Active Directory accounts in Office 365 and then move that functionality back onto the Windows 2012 Server when that comes on-line?
3. If I am overlooking any issues other than those that I have mentioned, please provide feedback