Many businesses will migrate their data to a new platform because it gives them an advantage. Other times, they do so because they don’t have a choice because of natural disasters or other reasons. When moving data, small and medium-sized businesses often make mistakes. The five most common mistakes, and how to avoid them, are as follows:
- Moving data to the cloud blindly: many businesses see moving their data to the cloud as the most logical choice. It often is, but if you lack the in-house tech expertise, it may not be a good idea. To keep pace with your competition in the cloud, you need the technical staff to run your IT services on premises. Even if your business already uses the cloud for your system, it may not be the optimal solution for storing your data. One reason you may want to reconsider storing data on the cloud is if you have large files, it must be pulled several times throughout the day. The point of sale displays created by the cloud are often too big. Once that information is over a certain size, it becomes too difficult to move around from one point to another. Keeping that data on site would be much faster.
- Migrating relevant information with junk data: if you simply migrate data from your old platform to another one, you are simply moving all your issues into a new system. Unfortunately, most databases are loaded down with a bunch of garbage. This garbage includes multiple records with differently spelled names, inconsistent data, and overlapping information. Before you begin migrating anything, make sure the data you are moving will be used in the future. Before the migration, it is a great time for a business to clean up their data stores.
- Not having a plan for disaster recovery: one thing that complicates data migration is the fact that the data is rarely stored in a single place. You may have some of your data on premises, but other parts of your data may be in the cloud or a hybrid environment. Regardless of where your data is stored, your company needs to provide a continuity of services and data. With older systems, you simply had to back up your data, and all was well. The data was stored in a single place. Once you begin spreading your data over many locations, the dynamics change. Having a disaster recovery plan helps you protect your workload and provide consistent services, whether your data is in the cloud or on premises.
- Underestimating how much time and work goes into data migration: too many businesses underestimate what it takes to migrate their data. Many things factor into data migration, such as connectivity speeds, data quantities, workloads, and more, especially if a company doesn’t have many IT resources as a backup. Many small businesses fail to understand how long it takes to convert the data and cleanse it for migration. The best way to plan for data migration is to take how much time is budgeted and double it. That way, if you do it in less time, you will be ahead of the game. And if it takes more time, it will be less of a disappointment for you.
- Data migration without partners: there are many parts involved in migrating data. A small IT team would have a hard time handling this job alone. Using a service or vendor is the best option to help you make wise decisions throughout the process. At RedWave Technology Group, we have the in-house expertise to help you with all your data migration needs.
Every business will have to face data migration at some point or another. By avoiding the five most common mistakes listed above, you will be well on your way to having a successful migration.