VTR IT migrates UAE enterprises to Microsoft 365, Azure, and hybrid cloud with zero data loss and UAE data residency compliance. From on-premises Exchange to Exchange Online. From physical servers to Azure IaaS. From legacy infrastructure to a modern cloud platform
Most UAE enterprise cloud migrations follow one of four paths. VTR IT has delivered all four across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The total cost of ownership comparison between on-premises Exchange and Microsoft 365 Exchange Online for a typical 50-user UAE organisation.
| Cost element | On-premises Exchange (annual) | Microsoft 365 (annual) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Email server hardware | AED 18,000-35,000 (amortised) | AED 0 | AED 18,000-35,000 |
| Exchange Server licences | AED 12,000-28,000 (per 5yr) | Included in M365 | AED 12,000-28,000 |
| Storage and backup | AED 8,000-20,000 | Included in M365 | AED 8,000-20,000 |
| Anti-spam and email security | AED 5,000-15,000 | Included in M365 | AED 5,000-15,000 |
| UPS and power for server room | AED 3,000-8,000 | AED 0 | AED 3,000-8,000 |
| Microsoft 365 licences (50 users) | AED 0 | AED 35,000-55,000 | – |
| Total annual estimate (50 users) | AED 90,000-175,000+ | AED 35,000-55,000 | Up to AED 120,000/yr |
Estimates based on VTR IT UAE client environments. Actual savings depend on current infrastructure, user count, and licensing tier chosen. Contact VTR IT for a tailored cost analysis.
VTR IT checks all of these before planning any UAE cloud migration. Review this list before starting your migration project.
A standard Microsoft 365 email migration for a UAE business of 50 users typically completes within 48-72 hours of migration weekend time. VTR IT runs the migration in phases – tenant setup and configuration takes 1-2 days before the migration weekend, email data migration runs overnight, and cutover happens on a Sunday morning UAE time to minimise business disruption. Larger organisations with 200+ users or complex Exchange configurations may require a staged migration over 2-4 weeks.
Yes, when configured correctly. Microsoft Azure provides the UAE North (Abu Dhabi) and UAE Central (Dubai) data centre regions. VTR IT selects the UAE North region for all Microsoft 365 data at rest and Azure workloads, ensuring personal data of UAE residents is processed within UAE boundaries as required by UAE PDPL. VTR IT documents the data residency configuration as part of every cloud migration for regulatory evidence purposes.
No. VTR IT uses a pre-staged migration approach where all historical email is synchronised to Microsoft 365 before the cutover. When the MX records are changed and cutover completed, all email arrives in Microsoft 365 Exchange Online and historical email is already present. The cutover window – where inbound email may be briefly held in transit – is typically less than 15 minutes. No email is lost during a VTR IT managed Microsoft 365 migration.
VTR IT cloud migration costs in the UAE depend on the scope and size of the project. A Microsoft 365 email migration for 10-50 users typically costs AED 8,000-22,000 in migration services. For 50-200 users, expect AED 18,000-55,000. Azure IaaS migrations for 5-10 servers typically range from AED 25,000-80,000 depending on complexity. All pricing is in AED with a fixed quote issued after a discovery phase. Microsoft 365 licensing is additional and can be procured through VTR IT.
Line-of-business applications that send or receive email (ERP systems, CRM, HR platforms, ticketing systems) require specific configuration to work with Microsoft 365 after migration. VTR IT identifies all applications that use SMTP relay or Exchange connectivity during the discovery phase and configures Microsoft 365 connectors and SMTP authentication before cutover. No application access is cut off during the migration without a tested replacement configuration already in place.
VTR IT delivers zero data loss cloud migrations across the UAE. Microsoft 365, Azure, and hybrid cloud. UAE North data region. Fixed AED quote. Abu Dhabi-based engineers.
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