Data migration is a natural byproduct of business upgrade and expansion. Updating your software systems or transforming how your company operates is a widely acknowledged part of doing business. However, many who undergo data storage, software, or hardware upgrades find themselves lost in issues that they did not foresee, and they’re left without the help of custom IT projects to navigate these difficult issues alone. Data migration challenges can seriously impede your operations.
While these roadblocks are often temporary, they can cause lags in productivity as well as compounding problems that require scheduled downtime time to drag on. Luckily, for these data migration challenges there are readily available solutions.
Compatibility Issues
Compatibility issues arise when the data files and applications you attempt to transfer are not met with an appropriate platform on the other side of the move. One example of a compatibility issue is a file that is rendered unreadable after you update to a new operating system.
The Solution: It is important to adequately assess all system requirements before transferring data, software, and applications. While it is possible to do a data transfer and have system compatibility by chance, it is poor planning to not do the easy research that will prevent a workload pile-up later. Any custom IT project manager will be able to tell you that thoroughly checking the platforms you are interested in using is paramount to success.
Data Loss
Another very common issue that occurs with data migration is data loss or corruption. Data loss happens when not all the data being transferred is sent to the right place, and data corruption occurs when unwanted data from an older system makes it into the new system.
The Solution: Before any data is moved away from its original location, it is extremely important that it is backed up elsewhere. This allows you to perform a transfer that is truly backed up. Using secure transfer protocols will prevent data corruption. It does this by ensuring that all received data is the same as original data.
Lack of Cohesive Plans
While this issue is more strategy related, the cons of not adequately delegating tasks, making a game plan, and securing the correct resources often lead to a mess of problems that can be lumped together as simply being unprepared. Maintaining business continuity is a skill that any migration needs in order to thrive.
The Solution: Adequate planning and zeroing in on all the potential mishaps that could occur will prevent potential downtime or data loss. It will prevent logistical pile ups and allow each step of the migration to function properly.
Generalized Performance Issues
Any time you upgrade to a new platform for operating, there will be adjustments to be made. Often, some of the bigger issues one can have after such a move are generalized performance issues. For example, if you are migrating to an SQL server, you may find that your CPU isn’t operating as quickly as you would like. Because the new environment is confusing, you may not know how to handle a worker thread bottleneck.
The Solution: The absolute safest option for migrating to a new platform is to have professionals in the field of the new environment take the lead. While it is generally true that updating your systems is considered an upgrade to a better method or platform, it can be difficult at first to adjust to the changes. Having an expert to troubleshoot any additional issues that may arise can make the transfer a success.
While these issues can come as a surprise to many, Axiom has years of experience helping businesses avoid these exact challenges. Their custom IT projects are a reliable resource to assist your organization in navigating your data migration experience.
Contact Axiom today for help with your data migration challenges!