Why You Need to Implement Data Migration Best Practices

Data migration is an increasingly common need within organizations from one system to another, whether it is for maintaining data integrity, ensuring accessibility or another reason, as Shelley Bougnague of Cloudficient writes in a recent blog post. Learning about seven common migration scenarios and data migration best practices is essential for successful collaboration between legal ops and IT.

Email data migration involves transferring email messages and data when adopting new platforms, consolidating systems, or moving to cloud services. Key steps are assessing the current infrastructure, selecting a target platform, and planning the migration. Challenges include data compatibility and downtime. These migrations necessitate careful planning and testing.

Legacy archive data migration moves historical data from outdated systems to modern platforms. This process entails cataloging legacy data, assessing compatibility, transforming data, and ensuring compliance. Challenges incorporate extracting data from old systems and maintaining data integrity and require thorough planning and specialized tools.

On-premise to on-premise data transfers data between physical locations or systems within existing infrastructure, typically during hardware upgrades. Key steps are assessing infrastructure, creating a migration plan, and using backup tools to mitigate risks.

On-premise to cloud data migration leverages cloud services for scalability and cost efficiency by moving data from local data centers to cloud environments. It involves assessing the current system, ensuring data security, and managing potential downtime. Evaluating infrastructure and prioritizing data based on sensitivity are crucial for success.

Cloud-to-cloud data migration moves data between cloud platforms for cost optimization, better services, or organizational changes. Key steps are assessing current and target environments and providing user training. Challenges consist of ensuring data format compatibility and maintaining data integrity.

Data migration in mergers and acquisitions consolidates the merging entities’ systems, involving detailed planning, data mapping, and stakeholder engagement. Challenges include differences in data structures and operational practices.

Data migration in divestitures incorporates separating and transferring data from a parent company to a new owner. This process comprises identifying data, extracting it, and guaranteeing compliance. Regular audits and checks ensure regulatory adherence.

For more on data migration best practices, read this Today’s General Counsel story about eDiscovery data migration.