Are you looking for a method to convert Lotus Domino to Exchange? Have you ever tried to perform it manually? Here, in this blog, we have come up with a suitable approach for performing migration data from IBM Domino / Notes to Exchange 2013 and 2010.

Lotus Notes is a collaborative client-server service provided by IBM. Moreover, it supports NSF file format to store different types of mailbox items including emails, documents, appointments, etc. Sometimes, users want to move towards another email program. The reason being is the change of the work location, advancements in technology, cost factors and so on. Therefore, users want to transfer their data from IBM/Lotus Domino to Exchange server. In this article, we are going to discuss all manual tricks & explore how to migrate IBM Lotus Notes to Exchange.

Manual Tricks to Convert Lotus Notes to Exchange

There are so many ways by which users can perform data migration. Out of them, one such solution is Microsoft Transporter Suite which is used to convert emails from Lotus Domino (.nsf) to Microsoft Exchange server. Transporter tool suite is a combination of various tool that helps in migrating data. There are following steps listed below:

Step 1: Installation of Transporter Suite

  1. Download the Microsoft Transporter tool. If your system is of 32-bit then, you have to download transporter.msi. Else, navigate to file name as transporter.msi
  2. Now, launch the Transporter tool and run .msi file. After that, accept all the terms and conditions and then, continue
  3. The new screen appears to choose the components & install location screen under MS Transporter Suite for Lotus Domino. Next, choose this option for MS transporter tools and de-select this option for free busy Add-in task for IBM Lotus Domino.
  4. You have to Browse and then, choose the desired location where users can install MS transporter suite
  5. Then, click on Next button. The installation screen will be opened and hit on Install to continue
  6. Once the installation process gets completed. A folder name like “Microsoft Transporter Suite for Domino” will be generated

Remember: The GAL (Global Address list) must be synchronized between these two systems i.e., Lotus Domino and Exchange and users can easily view all system from both platforms.

Step 2: Create Directory Connect

Once the installation of Transporter tool is done. Now, there is a need to create a directory connector for the further processing. There are two different ways to create a directory connector i.e. Transport Management Shell and Transporter Command Shell. It depends on users which path they opt either Transporter Management Shell or Command Shell. Let us have a look:

With the help of Transporter Management Shell

  1. Select the option “connect under tools for Lotus Domino” from the console
  2. After that, Right click and choose the create directory connector option
  3. Now, the create directory connector wizard Window will be opened. Press Next
  4. Eventually, click on create and once the process gets finished, click on finish button

With Transporter Management Shell

First of all, the users have to follow pre-requisites for configuring Notes Domino permission when there is a need to Migrate Lotus Domino to Exchange Server. Initially, users should require the default Domino administrative account or a new account with the below permissions:

  1. Need the least editor or manager access to the Lotus Domino directory
  2. Users must have the access to UserModifier roles and UserCreator.
  3. Requiring permission to erase all documents.

Step 3: Configuration of Directory Connector

  1. Choose the newly created directory connector
  2. After that, Right click on it for opening Properties. Otherwise, choose Action menu and then, click the Properties
  3. Once the properties option will open, four new tabs i.e., General tab, Sync to active directory tab, Sync to Domino tab, an advance tab will appear and needs to be configured.

Step 4: Synchronization of Directories

  • First, you have to set up a user directory connector and select the synchronize option.
  • Go to the Directory connector and afterward, right click on it
  • After this, navigate to context menu/action panel. Choose to synchronize now the option
  • A new window will appear named as synchronize directory wizard. It will display two option like update synchronizations and full synchronization.

Note: If you select update synchronization then, you should run the synchronization for updated or modified options.

  • As per the requirement, select the type of synchronization. Then, click on synchronize option.
  • Once the entire process gets completed, then click on Finish to end the task

Important Note: If a user is not fully satisfied with the directory synchronization so they have to use the Domino users OU and check they can view the groups, contacts etc or not. Furthermore, verify the Domino directory for Microsoft Exchange users, contacts and groups.

Automated Solution to Convert Lotus Domino to Exchange

The above-stated method has certain limitations such as it migrate only Domino Contacts and email headers, not converted full mailbox, lengthy and time-consuming process. Additionally, Transporter tool does not provide any satisfactory result. It will also become fail when users are dealing with bulk data. So, the users can take help of a reliable third party tool that can convert Lotus Domino to Exchange. One such application is SysTools Mail Migration Wizard tool. It allows a user to migrate all Lotus Domino NSF file to Exchange server. Besides this, the graphical interface of this software is very interactive that even a non-technical user can easily operate this tool without taking any external help.

Conclusion

After considering the ongoing necessity to migrate Lotus Domino to Exchange server, we have described a manual approach to let the users understand how to convert Lotus Notes mail to Exchange Server. Also, we have recommended an alternate solution i.e., Mail Migration Wizard mail to perform migration from IBM Notes to Exchange server in an efficient way.