Data migration is a crucial process for any organisation looking to upgrade or change its systems. It involves transferring data from one system to another, ensuring that the data remains accurate, secure, and usable. Let's break down the data migration process in simple terms and understand why it can be complex.
What is Data Migration?
Data migration is the process of moving data from one location, format, or application to another. This is often necessary when a company upgrades its systems, merges with another company, or moves to a new software platform. The goal is to ensure that all data is accurately transferred and remains accessible and functional in the new system.
Example of a Data Transformation
Let's say you have a customer database with dates stored in the format MM/DD/YYYY, but the new system requires dates in the format DD-MM-YYYY. Data transformation would involve converting all the dates to the new format. This might seem simple, but it can be complex if there are different data structures or if the data needs to be combined from multiple sources.
Conclusion
Data migration is a complex but essential process for any organisation looking to upgrade or change its systems. By understanding the steps involved and following best practices, you can ensure a smooth and successful data migration.
Checkout Top 10 Data Migration Mistakes to Avoid or look at Mercury’s Standard Data Migration Process for more information on how we handle things at Mercury.