Univik Migration Services

Zimbra Email Migration Services

✓ Zimbra Expert All Editions Supported Zero Downtime 100% Data Integrity

Excellent 4.9 (136 Reviews)

Univik provides professional Zimbra email migration services for businesses moving away from Zimbra Collaboration Suite. We migrate to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Exchange and other platforms with zero downtime and complete data integrity including Briefcase files.

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All Zimbra Editions: Network Edition, Open Source, Zimbra Suite Plus - all versions.
All Data Types: Emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, Briefcase files and shared folders.
All Destinations: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Exchange and more.

Migration Destinations

Microsoft 365

Google Workspace

Exchange Server

Zoho Mail

Other IMAP

Zimbra Upgrade

PST Export

TGZ Export

450+

Zimbra Migrations

45K+

Mailboxes Migrated

100%

Data Integrity

2013

Since

✓ Zimbra Expert

✓ Zero Downtime

✓ 100% Data Integrity

✓ Briefcase Support

✓ 450+ Migrations

Zimbra Editions

Supported Zimbra Editions

We migrate from all editions of Zimbra Collaboration Suite - Network Edition, Open Source and Suite Plus.

Zimbra Network Edition

Commercial Edition

✓ Zimbra 10.x (Latest)
✓ Zimbra 9.x
✓ Zimbra 8.x and older
✓ Backup & restore features
✓ ActiveSync / EAS
✓ Hierarchical storage

Zimbra Open Source

Free Edition (OSE)

✓ All OSE versions
✓ Community supported
✓ Web client access
✓ IMAP/POP3/SMTP
✓ Calendaring & contacts
✓ Briefcase files

All Platforms

Linux Distributions

✓ Ubuntu / Debian
✓ RHEL / CentOS
✓ Rocky Linux / AlmaLinux
✓ Virtual machines
✓ Docker containers
✓ Cloud instances (AWS, Azure)

Migration Destinations

Migrate Zimbra to Any Platform

We migrate your Zimbra mailboxes to all major email platforms and file formats.

Microsoft 365

Exchange Online, Outlook

Business BasicBusiness StandardEnterprise

Google Workspace

Gmail, Google Calendar

Business StarterBusiness PlusEnterprise

Exchange Server

On-Premises Exchange

Exchange 2019Exchange 2016Exchange 2013

Other Platforms

Zoho, IMAP and More

Zoho MailFastmailZimbra Upgrade

File Format Exports

Export Zimbra mailboxes to standard file formats for archival or import elsewhere.

PST (Outlook)TGZ (Zimbra)MBOXEML FilesvCard (.vcf)iCal (.ics)

Zimbra to Zimbra

Migrate between Zimbra installations for upgrades, consolidation or server moves.

Server UpgradeDomain MergeOSE to NetworkHardware RefreshVersion Upgrade

Data Migration

What Data We Migrate

Complete mailbox migration - all your Zimbra data transferred with full integrity.

Emails

All Messages & Folders

✓ All email messages
✓ Complete folder structure
✓ All attachments
✓ Sent/Drafts/Trash/Junk
✓ Tags & flags

Contacts

Personal & Shared

✓ Personal contacts
✓ Contact groups
✓ Distribution lists
✓ Global address list
✓ Contact photos

Calendars

Events & Scheduling

✓ All calendar events
✓ Recurring events
✓ Meeting invitations
✓ Shared calendars
✓ Reminders & alarms

Tasks

To-Do Items

✓ Personal tasks
✓ Task lists
✓ Due dates & priority
✓ Task categories
✓ Completion status

Briefcase

Files & Documents

✓ All Briefcase files
✓ Folder structure
✓ Shared documents
✓ Version history*
✓ → OneDrive / Drive

Metadata

Properties & Tags

✓ Zimbra tags → labels
✓ Read/unread status
✓ Date/time stamps
✓ Message flags
✓ Importance/priority

* Note: Briefcase files are migrated to OneDrive (M365) or Google Drive (Workspace). Version history may be limited depending on destination platform capabilities.

Migration Scenarios

Common Migration Scenarios

Why businesses migrate from Zimbra and how we help with each situation.

Cloud Adoption

Moving from self-hosted Zimbra to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for better collaboration, mobility and reduced server management overhead.

Remote WorkNo Server MaintenanceAuto Updates

Licensing Costs

Zimbra Network Edition licensing costs adding up. Cloud platforms or OSE may offer better value for your organization's needs.

Cost ReductionPredictable PricingBundled Features

OSE to Commercial

Outgrowing Zimbra Open Source limitations. Need to upgrade to Network Edition or migrate to cloud for enterprise features.

OSE → NetworkOSE → M365Feature Upgrade

OS/Platform Change

Linux distribution reaching EOL or changing platforms. CentOS 7 EOL driving many Zimbra migrations to cloud or newer infrastructure.

CentOS EOLUbuntu UpgradeNew Hardware

Enterprise Features

Business outgrowing Zimbra capabilities. Need enterprise features like advanced compliance, eDiscovery, DLP and ATP.

ComplianceeDiscoveryAdvanced Security

Merger & Acquisition

Consolidating email systems after company merger. Need to unify Zimbra with parent company's Microsoft 365 or Google platform.

Domain MergeUser ConsolidationSingle Platform

Why Now

The Clock on Zimbra Itself

Most Zimbra migrations are not a preference. They are a response to dates Synacor already published.

If your install is 8.8.15 or a community 9 build, every month adds unpatched exposure on a server that faces the internet by design. That is the deadline behind most of the migrations we run.

The Free Route, Measured

What IMAP Migration Silently Leaves Behind

Microsoft's built-in migration route speaks IMAP and IMAP carries mail. Everything else in a Zimbra account needs its own path.

Zimbra data	Travels over IMAP	What it takes to move it
Emails and folders	Yes	IMAP handles the messages. Folder structure comes along, though sync of very large mailboxes is slow and fragile over WAN links.
Contacts and distribution lists	No	Exported through Zimbra APIs or TGZ and rebuilt at the destination as contacts and Microsoft 365 groups.
Calendars with recurrences	No	Moved natively so recurring meetings, reminders and attendees survive. ICS re-imports flatten edge cases.
Tasks	No	Carried through native export and mapped to Outlook tasks or Google Tasks.
Briefcase files	No	Extracted separately and placed in OneDrive or Google Drive with the folder tree rebuilt.
Tags, flags, read state	Partially	Read state usually survives IMAP. Zimbra tags need conversion to Outlook categories or Gmail labels.
Shared folders and delegation	No	Permissions are recreated at the destination. ACL models differ, so sharing is mapped, verified and documented.

This table is why a free IMAP pass and a complete migration produce different results from the same server. Our service moves every row.

Honest Mapping

Where Each Zimbra Feature Actually Lands

Zimbra concepts do not all have twins in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Knowing the mapping before cutover prevents the surprises after it.

Briefcase becomes cloud storage

Files land in OneDrive or Google Drive with their folder tree. Briefcase version history does not carry over, so we archive versions on request before cutover.

Tags become categories or labels

Outlook categories are flat color labels and Gmail labels act like folders. Multi-tagged Zimbra mail maps cleanly to Gmail and gets a documented convention in Outlook.

Shares become delegation

Zimbra folder shares turn into mailbox and folder permissions at the destination. The models differ enough that we map each share and confirm it with the owner.

Distribution lists become groups

Lists are rebuilt as Microsoft 365 groups or Google groups with the same membership and the same addresses, so mail to old list names keeps working.

Aliases and identities

Zimbra aliases and send-as personas are recreated as destination aliases and send-as permissions. Users keep sending from the addresses they always used.

Filters need rebuilding

Zimbra mail filters do not import anywhere. We export the filter list per user and hand it over as a checklist for recreating rules that still matter.

Honest Triage

When You Do Not Need a Migration Service

Three situations where paying us would be the wrong call. Check them before requesting a quote.

Under 10 mailboxes, mail only

A handful of accounts with no Briefcase and no shares moves fine through IMAP tools or per-user TGZ exports. A service adds cost without adding much safety at that size.

You already hold TGZ exports

If clean per-mailbox TGZ files exist and the destination is PST or another file format, a desktop converter finishes the job for the price of a license. Ask us which one fits.

Staying on Zimbra deliberately

A maintained Network Edition or a patched third-party build is a legitimate choice. If that is your plan, you need a patching routine rather than a migration.

The working test: multiply mailbox count by data complexity. Shares, Briefcase, recurring calendars and compliance requirements are what make a migration a project. Ten simple mailboxes are an afternoon.

Advanced

Inside the Cutover Weekend

Zero downtime is a sequencing exercise. This is the order of operations behind a cutover that users never notice.

Bulk sync while Zimbra stays live

Historical mail, calendars, contacts and Briefcase move days in advance. Users keep working in Zimbra and never feel the transfer.

MX TTL drops 48 hours ahead

Lowering the DNS record lifetime early means the eventual switch propagates in minutes. Skipping this step is how cutovers stretch into days.

Delta pass catches the week's mail

A second sync moves only what arrived since the bulk run. Deltas take minutes instead of days, which is what makes a weekend cutover possible.

MX flips, both systems receive

Mail routes to the new platform while Zimbra stays reachable. Anything that lands on the old server during propagation gets swept in the final pass.

Final sweep, then verification

One last delta empties the Zimbra queues. Item counts per mailbox are compared source against destination and the report goes to you before the old server powers down.

Your Concerns

Addressing Your Migration Concerns

Common questions and concerns about migrating from Zimbra.

"Will there be downtime?"

Minimal to Zero. We perform initial migration while Zimbra is running. Final cutover with delta sync takes minutes. Users may not even notice the switch.

"What about Briefcase files?"

Fully Supported. We migrate all Briefcase files to OneDrive (M365) or Google Drive (Workspace). Folder structure is preserved. Users keep access to all their documents.

"How much does it cost?"

From $15/mailbox. Volume discounts available. No hidden fees. We provide detailed quote after free assessment. Payment after successful migration.

"How long will it take?"

Depends on Size. 1-50 mailboxes: 1-3 days. 50-200 mailboxes: 3-7 days. 200+ mailboxes: 1-2 weeks. We can work nights/weekends to minimize disruption.

"What about Zimbra tags?"

Tags → Labels/Categories. Zimbra tags are converted to labels (Gmail) or categories (Outlook). Your organizational structure is preserved on the destination platform.

"Is our data secure?"

Encrypted & Secure. All data transferred over encrypted connections. We use secure protocols and sign NDAs. Data deleted from our systems after migration.

How It Works

Our Migration Process

A proven 6-step process that moves your Zimbra data with minimal disruption to users.

Assessment

We analyze your Zimbra environment - edition, version, domains, mailbox count, Briefcase usage and special requirements. Free assessment with detailed migration plan.

Planning

Create migration schedule, set up destination environment, configure connections. Plan Briefcase-to-cloud-storage migration for files.

Pre-Migration

Initial bulk migration while Zimbra remains active. Most data transferred during this phase with zero user impact. Users continue working normally.

Verification

Verify data integrity - compare mailbox counts, folder counts, Briefcase files and random sampling. Identify and resolve any issues before cutover.

Delta Sync

Final sync to catch any new emails since pre-migration. Quick process - typically minutes. MX records updated to point to new platform.

Cutover & Support

DNS cutover to new platform. User communication and email client configuration support. Post-migration monitoring and issue resolution.

⏱ Typical Migration Timeline

1-3 Days

1-50 Mailboxes

3-7 Days

50-200 Mailboxes

1-2 Weeks

200+ Mailboxes

Minutes

Final Cutover

Pricing

Migration Pricing

Transparent per-mailbox pricing with volume discounts. Free assessment included.

Small

$15

Per mailbox

✓ 1-25 mailboxes
✓ Emails & attachments
✓ Contacts & calendars
✓ Basic support
✓ 1-2 day turnaround

Chat With a Migration Engineer

Standard

$12

Per mailbox

✓ 26-100 mailboxes
✓ Full data + Briefcase
✓ Delta sync included
✓ Priority support
✓ 2-5 day turnaround

Get Quote

Business

$10

Per mailbox

✓ 101-500 mailboxes
✓ Multi-domain
✓ Shared folders
✓ After-hours work
✓ Dedicated engineer

Get Quote

Enterprise

Custom

Contact for quote

✓ 500+ mailboxes
✓ Multi-server Zimbra
✓ Complex environments
✓ Custom requirements
✓ Project manager

What is Included

All pricing includes: emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, Briefcase files, tags, shared folders, folder structure, delta sync, verification and post-migration support. No hidden fees.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about Zimbra email migration.

We migrate from all Zimbra Collaboration Suite versions including Zimbra 10.x (latest), 9.x, 8.x and older legacy versions. We support both Network Edition (commercial) and Open Source Edition (OSE). Any Linux distribution running Zimbra is supported.

We migrate Zimbra to Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online), Google Workspace (Gmail), Exchange Server (on-premises 2013-2019), Zoho Mail and other IMAP-compatible platforms. We also support Zimbra-to-Zimbra migrations for upgrades, OSE-to-Network or server consolidation, plus export to PST/TGZ/MBOX files.

We migrate all mailbox data: emails with attachments, complete folder structure, contacts (personal and shared), calendars (events, meetings, recurring items), tasks, Briefcase files and shared folders. Zimbra tags are converted to labels/categories on the destination platform.

Briefcase files are fully migrated. For Microsoft 365 destinations, Briefcase files go to OneDrive. For Google Workspace, they go to Google Drive. Folder structure is preserved. Users will find their documents in the cloud storage integrated with their new email platform.

Timeline depends on mailbox count, data volume and Briefcase size. 1-50 mailboxes: 1-3 days. 50-200 mailboxes: 3-7 days. 200+ mailboxes: 1-2 weeks. Final cutover with delta sync typically takes minutes. We can work during off-hours/weekends.

Minimal to zero downtime. We perform initial bulk migration while Zimbra remains fully operational. Users continue working normally. Final cutover involves a quick delta sync (minutes) to catch new emails, then DNS/MX record update. Most users experience no interruption.

Pricing starts at $15 per mailbox for small migrations. Volume discounts: $12/mailbox (26-100), $10/mailbox (101-500), custom pricing for 500+. Includes all data types, Briefcase files, delta sync, verification and support. Free assessment provided - no obligation.

Absolutely. Zimbra OSE migrations are very common. We migrate to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or even upgrade to Zimbra Network Edition. The migration process is the same regardless of which Zimbra edition you are running.

Typically yes - we need admin-level access to efficiently migrate all mailboxes. Options include: Zimbra Admin Console access, SSH access to run zmmailbox commands or we can work with TGZ exports if you prefer to extract the data yourself. We provide detailed instructions for each approach.

Yes, we migrate shared resources. Zimbra shared folders, shared calendars and shared contacts are migrated where the destination platform supports equivalent features. For Microsoft 365, these become Shared Mailboxes or Microsoft 365 Groups. Permissions may need to be reconfigured.

Tags are converted. Zimbra tags are converted to Gmail labels (Google Workspace) or Outlook categories (Microsoft 365). Your organizational structure is preserved. Color coding may differ based on destination platform capabilities.

Yes, typically. After migration, email clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, mobile apps) need to be reconfigured to connect to the new platform. For M365, this is often automatic with modern Outlook. We provide step-by-step guides for all common email clients.

Common scenario. Many Zimbra migrations are driven by CentOS 7 reaching end of life. Rather than migrating Zimbra to a new Linux distribution, many organizations choose this as the time to move to cloud email. We can also migrate to Zimbra on Rocky Linux or Ubuntu if you prefer to stay on Zimbra.

Absolutely. All data transferred over encrypted connections (TLS/SSL). We sign NDAs on request. Migration data is processed in secure environment and deleted after successful migration confirmation. We do not store or access your email content beyond technical requirements.

We recommend keeping Zimbra running (receive-disabled) for 2-4 weeks after migration as a backup reference. After you confirm everything is migrated successfully, you can decommission the server. We do not modify or delete anything on your Zimbra server during the migration process.

Success Stories

Zimbra Migration Case Studies

Real Zimbra migration projects we have completed for businesses.

Zimbra → M365 2024

Engineering Firm

Engineering company migrating from Zimbra Network Edition on CentOS 7 to Microsoft 365 before OS end-of-life deadline.

120

Mailboxes

340GB

Data

5 Days

Completed

Result: Zero downtime migration. All Briefcase files moved to OneDrive. CentOS server retired. Team now on modern M365 platform.

Zimbra → Google 2024

Non-Profit Organization

Non-profit moving from Zimbra OSE to Google Workspace for Nonprofits to get free licensing and better collaboration tools.

Mailboxes

65GB

Data

2 Days

Completed

Result: Smooth transition to Gmail. Briefcase files migrated to Google Drive. Organization now benefits from free Google Workspace.

Multi-Server 2024

University Department

University department consolidating 3 Zimbra servers across campuses into single Microsoft 365 tenant for unified administration.

Servers

280

Mailboxes

10 Days

Completed

Result: All 3 Zimbra servers consolidated. Unified global address list. Shared calendars working across all campuses.

OSE → Network 2024

Healthcare Provider

Healthcare organization upgrading from Zimbra OSE to Zimbra Network Edition on new hardware for ActiveSync and compliance features.

Mailboxes

180GB

Data

3 Days

Completed

Result: Clean migration from OSE to Network Edition. Mobile sync now working. HIPAA compliance features enabled.

Version Upgrade 2024

Financial Services

Financial firm upgrading from Zimbra 8.7 on old hardware to Zimbra 10 on new Rocky Linux server with modern security.

Mailboxes

220GB

Data

4 Days

Completed

Result: Fresh Zimbra 10 installation on new server. All data preserved. CentOS 7 server retired. Modern security features enabled.

Archive Export 2024

Law Firm

Law firm exporting all Zimbra mailboxes to PST files for long-term legal hold and compliance archival before cloud migration.

150

Mailboxes

480GB

Data

5 Days

Completed

Result: All mailboxes exported to individual PST files for 7-year legal retention. Then migrated to Microsoft 365.

Reviews

What Clients Say

Robert Kennedy

IT Director, Engineering

"Our CentOS 7 server was reaching EOL and we needed to migrate 120 mailboxes from Zimbra. Univik handled everything - emails, calendars and all our Briefcase files went to OneDrive. Flawless execution!"

Verified

Lisa Martinez

Executive Director, NPO

"Moving from Zimbra OSE to Google Workspace for Nonprofits was a big step for our organization. Univik made it painless - all our historical emails and even the Briefcase documents came over perfectly. Highly recommend!"

Verified

David Thompson

Sys Admin, University

"Consolidating 3 Zimbra servers across different campuses into one M365 tenant seemed daunting. Univik's team planned everything down to the folder level. The migration went smoothly and now we have one unified system."

Verified

GET STARTED

Ready to Migrate From Zimbra?

Free Assessment Call Expert

✓ Free Assessment ✓ Zero Downtime ✓ Briefcase Support ✓ From $15/mailbox

About Univik

Univik is an email migration and digital forensics company founded in 2013.

With 12+ years experience and 450+ successful Zimbra migrations, we have helped businesses, universities and organizations move from Zimbra Collaboration Suite to modern platforms. Our team includes certified migration specialists with deep expertise in Zimbra architecture, including Briefcase, shared folders and multi-server deployments. We serve clients in 89+ countries.

Zimbra Migration Experts

450+ Zimbra Migrations

12+

Years

450+

Zimbra Migrations

45K+

Mailboxes

89+

Countries

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