Migrating your data to the cloud is simple in theory, but many potential issues can arise. If you want to minimise the potential for mistakes during your migration and ensure a smooth transition to cloud storage, check out these common traps and how to avoid them.
- Endless Rewrites
While migrating your data to the cloud, you’re likely moving through different versions of your platform. Old data is moved to newer versions of the platform, and then you start the process again. This can lead to rewrites, taking a lot of time and effort. To avoid rewrites, be sure to use the appropriate node types for your data. This allows you to migrate directly from one version of your platform to the next.
- Rehosting
While rehosting data can be helpful, don’t make it the default method of moving your data. As long as you use the appropriate migration tools, you won’t have to rehost your data. While rehosting is convenient, it can have performance implications. To avoid rehosting, use bulk migrators. These are tools specifically designed to migrate your data as quickly as possible.
- Analysis Paralysis
When migrating data from one platform to another, getting wrapped up in the details is easy. If you stop every step along the way to change every single field, you increase the chance of encountering an issue. Don’t get caught up in the details. Instead, use the appropriate tools to quickly and efficiently migrate your data to the cloud.
Any field that isn’t required for your data doesn’t need to be changed when you move your data to the cloud. This is especially true when moving data from one cloud provider to another. If a field is not required, be sure to set the cloud’s default value. This will ensure your data stays consistent.
- High-Value Apps & High-Profile Failures
It’s tempting to migrate applications that would benefit from cloud technology to the cloud first. However, this is a high-risk strategy, as those applications tend to be old and complicated.
If you put all of your eggs in one basket and find problems during the migration, you could lose everything. Instead, start with low-risk applications. These are applications that can easily be migrated to the cloud. You can then use the lessons you learn from those applications to migrate your high-value applications later.
In addition, don’t rush the migration process. It may be tempting to migrate data quickly to take advantage of new cloud-based features. However, if you rush the process, you risk making a mistake.
How to Avoid Cloud Migration Failure
Your data migration to the cloud is only as successful as your tooling and processes. If you want to make sure that you’re not making mistakes along the way, here are a few best practices to keep in mind.
- Be Flexible
When migrating your data to the cloud, be sure to check how the cloud provider handles your data. In many cases, they will have the most up-to-date technical documentation. You can use this to determine what you need to do.
- Be Proactive
The first step for a successful migration is to be proactive. If you’re not proactive and wait until you have issues, it is too late. Instead, you need to be proactive and verify that your processes work. This can be done with stress tests on a small scale. You can also use these tests to see if the migration tools you’re using will work with your data.
- Know Your Tools
If you’re using the right tools, you’ll be able to minimise the risk of encountering migration issues. However, that’s only if you know how to use them. You may need to change the configuration in some cases, but many tools have good documentation. Read the documentation carefully, and be sure to verify that your tools will work with your data.
Before migrating your data to the cloud, be sure that you are confident that your data can be migrated. If you’re not confident, it’s better to wait.
Here’s to a Smooth Migration Process
The cloud is a fantastic way to improve your business operations. However, migrating your data to the cloud is a complex process. The more complex your data, the more complex the migration process will be. Be sure to check your data first before you begin migrating, and you’ll minimise the risk of encountering any issues.
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