What is Data Migration?
Simply put, data migration refers to the process of transferring data. The data transfer could happen from one storage system or computing environment to another or through the movement of data from one location to another, one format to another, or one application to another. There are various scenarios in which data migration may be necessary. These include the replacement of servers or storage devices or consolidation or decommissioning of a data center.
Types of Data for Migration
Cloud Migration
This generally indicates the transfer of documents and applications from a physical asset like a hard drive to the cloud for more secure and reliable storage. Sometimes cloud migration can also entail moving data from one cloud to another for better functionality or other benefits.
Application Migration
Application migration refers to the movement of data and applications when a company switches from one platform or web hosting service to another for improved connectivity.
Database Migration
Companies opt for Database Migration when they run out of space or need to upgrade to a better and more reliable database.
Top 8 Tips for a seamless Data Migration experience
Assign clear responsibilities to the migration team
For seamless data migration, you first need to identify the team that will be responsible for carrying out the project. You need to assign a manager and ensure that he gives out clear directions to the entire team. Since the process of data migration involves diverse areas of your organization, you need to account for the various stakeholders across your organization. It’s the managing team’s responsibility to keep all the relevant people in the loop.
One Step at a Time
Breaking down the entire data migration process into definite timelines helps you achieve clarity on what you need to do and by when. Break down the entire process into smaller, manageable steps and define the success criteria for each of these. This can go a long way in building trust in the process. You should also consider reaching out to an experienced Data Migration Assistant like IT Support NJ.
Clean your house before the migration
Assess the data that you have and always clean it up before attempting any data migration. Unorganized or messy data can lead to errors in judgment, poor supporter experience, inaccurate reports, decreased fundraising, and many other problems. In order to avoid this, you should discuss with your stakeholders to assess what data you have, what needs to be kept, archived, or removed. Make sure that only clean, and relevant data is allowed to migrate. You could also use this time to document and review your data management rules so everyone stays on the same page. Even if your current data turns out to be messy, this step will help address issues and prevent issues from recurring in the use of your future data.
Backup Your Data
Data migration should never be undertaken unless you have stress-tested and available backups on hand. This can save you a lot of headaches if something goes wrong in the migration process, and the data doesn’t get transferred properly. In worst-case scenarios, this could even lead to permanent data erasure. That is why it’s critical to backup your data before commencing any sort of migration. Backing up data is an extremely simple process. In fact, you have a lot of tools available today that can effectively automate the whole process. Once your backup is done, you should start to plan for your data migration.
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Building an effective Data Migration Strategy & Plan
Data Migration Planning is a critical step of any data migration process. You should have clear goals for the entire migration process and strategy. You should also set definite objectives for the process. The whole process becomes more transparent and easier to manage when you divide it into small action steps and tackle one issue at a time. Remember that it’s also important to clarify each of these steps and objectives with your team and partners. In fact, you should try to collaborate on data migration processes as much as possible so everyone stays in sync and can bring their own ideas to streamline the overall strategy. Sketch out a clear plan, define your objectives, outline the process, and get the entire team’s input and apprise them of all that’s involved.
Use the Right Tools
You should always try to minimize downtime and prevent data loss by any means possible. This means making use of relevant Data Migration Tools that can improve your data quality, streamline functions, and reduce confusion. Ideally, you should also have access to a team of experts with in-depth knowledge specific to your type of data and data structures. For example, tools like Centerprise Data Integrator or IBM InfoSphere are useful for data proofing or validation testing. The right tool will save you tons of time, and help you organize your data better.
Test Before Applying
You must always test everything before you launch on the actual data migration strategy. It’s important to do Migration Testing in the planning phase. You should go through the implementation and test the data migration to test the efficacy of the process/ strategy. This will again save you a lot of time and prevent potential issues arising from lost or misplaced data.
Plan Long-Term
Once you clean your data, you should ideally think about a long-term strategy to keep your data healthy and protect it against duplicates. One-time solutions won’t work here as maintaining the health of your data needs routine cleaning.
Conclusion
Olmec is a trusted Data migration service provider in IT Outsourcing New Jersey. Whether your company needs to consolidate databases, convert to a new system of record, or migrate a database to a new platform, Olmec’s deep rooted expertise in Data Migration Services Aws can help. Olmec’s wide recognition as a database migration leader in Cloud Services New Jersey and this stems from its comprehensive methodology including assessment, design, mapping, training, and testing and no data loss guarantee.