This guide explains what is changing with your practice email hosting, what you need to do before the deadline, and how to get help if you need it.
Deadline: 1st October 2026 Your practice email must be migrated to a new provider before this date. After 1st October 2026, CS1 will be switched off and any email still routing through it will stop working. |
What Is Changing
If your practice email is currently hosted by Bright on our CS1 server, this server will be decommissioned on 1st October 2026.
After that date:
- Any email accounts still using CS1 will stop working
- You will not be able to send or receive emails through those accounts
- The integration between your email and BrightManager may be disrupted
To avoid any interruption to your practice, you need to move your email hosting to a new provider before the deadline.
What You Need to Do
Follow the five steps below. We recommend starting as soon as possible, particularly if you will need help from an IT provider.
Step 1 Choose a New Email Provider
Popular options for accounting practices include:
- Microsoft 365 — includes Outlook, OneDrive, and Teams
- Google Workspace — includes Gmail, Google Drive, and Meet
Both options allow you to keep your current domain and email addresses. You can also choose any other provider that suits your practice. Your IT provider or domain registrar can advise if you are unsure.
Step 2 Set Up Your New Email Service
Your new email provider will guide you through the setup process, including instructions for updating your DNS settings so that email routes to them instead of CS1.
If you have an IT provider, they can manage this on your behalf. Your domain registrar can also assist with the DNS changes required.
Step 3 Back Up and Migrate Your Existing Email
Do this before you switch over — not after. Any email data remaining on the CS1 server after 1st October 2026 will no longer be accessible. Once the server is switched off, this data cannot be recovered. |
Before switching, export and migrate all of your mailbox data to your new provider:
- Inbox
- Sent items
- All folders
Most email providers include a built-in import or migration tool. Your IT provider can also assist with this step if needed.
Step 4 Update Your BrightManager Email Settings
Once your new email is active, you need to update your outgoing email settings inside BrightManager so it sends email through your new provider.
To do this:
- Go to Settings → My Details in BrightManager
- Enter the outgoing email settings provided by your new email host
- Save your changes
- Send a test email to confirm everything is working correctly
Step-by-step guidance for common email providers is available here:
Updating Email Settings – My Details Section
Step 5 Let Us Know When You Are Done
Once your migration is complete and your email is confirmed as working, please reply to the notice email or contact us at brightmanagersupport@brightsg.com. We will then close your old email account on CS1.
Need Help?
We understand this is an extra step for your practice. Our support team is here to help make the process as straightforward as possible.
- Email: brightmanagersupport@brightsg.com
- Support portal: brightmanagersupport.brightsg.com
| We recommend starting your migration as soon as possible — especially if you will need support from your IT provider. |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Why is this happening? Do I have to do this? |
Yes, this is mandatory. We are decommissioning the CS1 server and email hosted on it will stop working after 1st October 2026. The move to your own email provider gives you more control, better reliability, and the flexibility to choose the service that works best for your practice. |
| Will I lose my emails? |
Only if you do not back them up before the switch-off date. We strongly recommend exporting or migrating your existing mailbox — inbox, sent items, and folders — to your new provider before you make the switch. Step 3 of this guide covers this in detail. Most providers include an import tool, and your IT provider can also assist. |
| What email provider should I use? |
We cannot recommend one provider over another, but Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are the most commonly used options amongst practices. Both support your existing domain and email addresses, and both offer good migration tooling. Your IT provider or domain registrar will be able to advise on what is right for your setup. |
| What if I miss the deadline? |
After 1st October 2026, the CS1 server will be switched off. Email still routing through it will stop working and we will not be able to restore access once the server is decommissioned. Please treat the deadline as firm and do not leave this until the last minute. |
| Why did Bright host my email in the first place? |
| This was a legacy arrangement for a small number of BrightManager customers. It is no longer something we offer or support, and the infrastructure is now being retired. |
| I have already moved — what do I need to do? |
Please make sure you have updated your outgoing email settings in BrightManager (Settings → My Details) with your new provider credentials, and that you have sent a test email to confirm it is working. Then reply to the notice email or contact us to confirm, and we will close your old CS1 account. Guidance for updating your settings: Updating Email Settings – My Details Section |