Introduction
Microsoft Stream (Classic) will begin retiring in February 2024 and will be replaced with Stream (on SharePoint). Some Key dates:
- 15th May 2023 - No new videos can be uploaded to Stream Classic.
- 15th October 2023 - Users no longer able to access or use Stream Classic.
- 15th February 2024 - Stream Classic fully retired and disabled. Any remaining content that wasn't migrated will be deleted.
At the time of this article, May 2023, we have 2 versions of Stream coexisting at the same time:
- Stream (Classic) - this is the legacy video storage and reproduction service that is being retired.
- Stream (on SharePoint) - new version that allows users to store video files directly on SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive and Yammer/Viva Engage, and play these from these locations.
Do review this article: Overview of migrating from Microsoft Stream (Classic) to Stream (on SharePoint)
A couple of highlights we've picked up on:
"Stream (Classic) URLs and embed links will keep working post migration. Links to Stream (Classic) will redirect to the videos in their new destination after the migration." - Phew! This looks like the impact to end-users will be zero. At least to start with. Do be mindful that from February 2025, these links will stop working too, and will need to be updated to the new location rather than be re-directed.
"Not all content in your tenant needs to move to Stream (on SharePoint). Before you migrate, you might want to audit your video files, and remove or leave behind any stale content. Use the Stream (Classic) inventory & usage" - Ah this is a very sensible idea! This change does provide an opportunity for a bit of housekeeping if you have chance. Cleansing your data before the migration will undoubtedly give a smoother migration experience and through the other side, might even allow you to better surface/promote existing content, currently lost in the noise.
"Microsoft won't automatically force a migration of your content to Stream (on SharePoint). If you choose not to migrate your content, it will be deleted when Stream (Classic) is retired." - Do be careful with this. We're not sure what happens in a deletion scenario.
Next Steps
Keeping it simple, and assuming your internal preparatory work is underway or complete, there are 2 high-level topics to consider for this change.
- The Technical action of migrating content from Stream (classic) to Stream (on SharePoint), ensuring content is still accessible to users with minimal disruption to them
- The Business action of re-educating colleagues on the adoption of Stream (on Sharepoint), load Stream content (to the correct place) and easily sharing it to colleagues.
Do please review this great article, selecting from it the ideas you think are most appropriate for your organisation: Migration strategies for moving from Stream (Classic) to Stream (on SharePoint)
Migrating Content
Microsoft have provided a migration tool to assist with moving content. This is only available to SharePoint Admins. You can read about this tool here.
Stream (Classic) to Stream (on SharePoint) migration tool
Here at ClearPeople, some of our internal training videos were in Stream (Classic). We used the migration tool and found it very intuitive and efficient moving about 60 files, 10Gb in about 40 mins. There are reports available too, that can be used after he migration and referred back to if needed
For us we found that.......
If you have a small set of videos, simply download them to your Laptop and Upload them to your OneDrive. Probably not worth using the tool in this case.
If you have Groups and Channels (in Stream (Classic)) with Content that needs to be Migrated, you will need to think where you wish to Migrate these to. These can be moved to any Workspace (Teams or SharePoint) content and the tool will offer a suggested location for you.
Re-Educating colleagues
These days, all of us are accustomed to use and store Files in OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint and Yammer. Stream (on SharePoint) brings a more consistent and integrated user experience along with a host of other advantages to video content not available in Classic like Chapters, Transcripts and Comments.
Stream (Classic) is available from this link, Microsoft Stream (Classic), and its this that will no longer be available from October 2023. Going forward you'll be using this, Stream | Microsoft 365, but you might consider using it from today.
In moving to Stream (on SharePoint) here are a few recommendations on where to upload any videos you record:
- Small scale sharing of videos: These are videos you may need to share with a small group of people or maybe a video you wish to keep for yourself. Upload this type of video directly to your OneDrive and share the link with others as needed.
- Team, Department or Class Sharing Videos: These may be Training Videos, Presentation Recordings, Live event recordings or Meeting recordings. Upload these videos to a Teams team, Atlas Workspace (or SharePoint Site) or Yammer/Viva Engage Community. You can then grab a link to the video and share with people.
- Videos that needs to be shared with all the company: Video messages from the Executive Board, HR Information or Onboarding training. Create or reuse Communication Workspaces, Teams Teams, Atlas Workspace (or SharePoint Site) or Yammer/Viva Engage community that is open to the entire organization, and upload the video there.
In Stream (Classic) users could create Groups or Channels to organize videos. This does not carry forward on Stream (on SharePoint). Instead video files can be organized in the same way as any other file and alongside these other file types. Below are some suggestions:
- Lightweight Grouping with Folders: Several related videos, that you wish to keep together in the same place. Create a folder in your Teams team, SharePoint site (Atlas Workspace) or Yammer/Viva Engage community and upload these videos to the same folder. When people wish to see this collection of videos, share the link to the folder.
- Dedicated Grouping and Space with a library: Lots of videos for a team, department, class, or area and want to keep them together in the same place but not mix these with other file types. Create a new document library in SharePoint (Atlas Workspace) and create folders to classify the videos. Tags and metadata can also be used instead of or as well as folders. New Gallery views can be created so users can see the video thumbnails when browsing the library. Customized pages can also be used thus allowing users to browse and find videos.
Lastly, we understand a *NEW* Stream on SharePoint webpart (replacing the current (Stream (Classic) webpart) to be available in July. This is later than we'd expect since what are we all expected to use in the meantime?
Our favourite option is of course In Focus!! Depending on your requirements though you could use other OOTB SharePoint features like the File and Media webpart, Highlighted Content webpart. You can see these and other options described here
If you have any specific concerns or queries not covered above, do reach out to us at support@clearpeople.zendesk.com
Extra Reading
Overview of Stream (on SharePoint) - The main essentials you'll need to know
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