Data Migration: What You Need to Know
Data Migration is the process of transferring the captured data between types, formats, or computer systems. It minimally requires data extraction and data loading to complete these steps. Data needs to be read from the old file, format, or system and written (“loaded”) into the new system. If the data is being migrated from paper to electronic form it first must go through scanning and Optical Character Recognition.
- First, the data needs to be written, coded, and programmed to match the type, format, or system it is being migrated to.
- Data is then checked for errors or loss by human hands.
- Data is a process for quality to eliminate redundant or obsolete information, and match the requirements of the new system.
What is Big Bang Migration?
There are two primary types of data migration that your company can use. These are big-bang and trickle migration. Big Bang Migration, migrates ALL the data in a short, specified time frame. This often causes downtime in the systems to handle a large amount of information, which can lead to several risks. Systems may not be able to afford to be down for that length of time due to customer demand. In addition, errors lead to further downtime and slower response still. This is the less common data migration.
What is Trickle Migration?
Trickle Migration sends the data over in small increments. Since the systems are able to run at the same time, server downtime is not an issue. The challenge to success is keeping track of what data has been migrated. There must be a system in place to track this so overlap does not occur. If no system is in place, it may also take longer since the work will have to be done to decide which data is being migrated. This the more common of the data migrations since less downtime is required.
The Challenges of Data Migration
Migration is incredibly useful but may present some challenges. These include old systems not being able to meet new system software requirements, data encoding not being matched and transformed properly, attempting to use data migration with apps that are very different with few stable factors. Yet these greatly improve your automation. To improve your migration contact InStreamtoday.
