Migrating data: five points to watch out for

Once the data migration is properly prepared – see our previous blog – it’s time to actually get to work. But there are also several points of interest during the data migration itself. We present five issues that come up a lot.

1. SCHEDULE SUFFICIENT TIME

For example, schedule the data migration on a weekend so that there is little work in the system. And so you have ample time to intervene if you run into certain problems. The duration of a data migration depends greatly on the amount of data and the systems being worked with.

2. USE THE RIGHT HARDWARE

Consider data separation for archive on the one hand and work data on the other. And make sure your archive data is on hardware that is cheap enough.

3. TAKE FAILURE INTO ACCOUNT!

It may sound strange, but it is good to factor in a failed data migration. Consider an infrastructure failure, such as power outages or faulty hardware. Or unexpectedly slow network connections. Or software that doesn’t work as expected.

4. KEEP THE OLD BACKUP FOR A WHILE

Given point three, it is therefore good to keep the old installation active as a backup. Also, because sometimes a new IT environment does not work as expected; often this does not become apparent until after a while. That way you can fall back on a working system.

5. CHOOSE THE TIME OF MIGRATION CAREFULLY

With all the previous points in mind, it is wise to plan a data migration well: for example, don’t do it right before a busy period. Procedures may take longer in the beginning as people have to get used to the new situation.

We at Comex can always assist you to achieve proper data migration!