Database migration is one of the biggest challenges of moving to the cloud. Because the fact is: Existing databases are the foundation of all work and business processes. Nothing should go wrong with the move.
Successful database migration just got easier
Whether it’s accounting, customer service, purchasing, human resources or sales: every department in the company has access to data stored in databases (most often different ones) for almost every process. Constant availability of the necessary data is a basic requirement for the smooth operation of a business. Database queries that take too long or, at worst, don’t work at all cause massive outages or failures that cost the company real money.
Migrating the database from your own data center to the cloud is currently the best solution to minimize such risks and actively accelerate processes. In addition, it leads to greater flexibility in the medium term, which in turn is a prerequisite for rapid growth in times of digitalization.
However, all of this only works if the migration to the cloud goes smoothly and the cloud itself is used as efficiently as possible. With our 5 tips for a successful database migration, you can achieve this goal almost effortlessly.
Tip 1 – Determine all functional requirements
It is important to check in advance where there are discrepancies between the installed system and the new one. Example: if you want to switch from a SQL server to a cloud-based SQL database, you may find that some features of the installed database are not supported by the respective cloud provider. Therefore, it is all the more important to carefully check beforehand whether the cloud product you choose can meet the specified requirements in terms of feature diversity . If this is not the case, a rethink is required.
Additional advice: enlist the support of an independent consultant or IT service provider from the start. Experts know the relevant features or recognized products and can therefore directly suggest suitable solutions.
2nd tip – cleaning up existing databases
A huge advantage of the cloud is its cost-effectiveness. This is primarily based on the efficient use of storage space . So don’t sabotage this advantage by simply indiscriminately including all data ever captured as part of a database migration. Obsolete archives with unusable data inventories have no place in the cloud. To that end, activate the appropriate administrators and initiate the appropriate cleanup action.
In this context, it also makes sense to talk about future database organization so that you can avoid such large-scale actions in the future. As a result, you not only save storage space that is not required, but for which you have to pay, but also ensure faster database queries .
An additional tip: keep an eye on compliance requirements and GDPR . The latter can play a role, especially in terms of server location, and should not go unnoticed.
Tip 3 – Detailed documentation
After data cleansing is preceded by documentation of the data . Important here: recording the origin of all data. First of all, the following question must be answered: “Where does the data come from and for what purpose is it used?”
The answer is important when it comes to the need to modify the data before moving it. It is also possible to come to the realization that there is data in the company that does not need to be moved to the cloud at all. In fact, the topic of data classification, which in any case should be very relevant in companies, also plays a role here.
Tip 4 – Parallel work during data migration
System failure is the worst case scenario for almost every company. To avoid this, you can rely on a so-called ETL process during data migration . The acronym ETL stands for Extract, Transform and Load and refers to the data that must be available in parallel during the transition from the old to the new system.
To be able to use ETL, inventory data is copied to the new system and remains available to all users in their local environment. This temporarily results in parallel work so that business processes do not stop.
Tip 5 – Test, test, test
Before the data migration is complete, detailed tests must be done in the next step . With both systems running in parallel, this is also possible without much effort. Therefore, check if the same queries return identical results. Monitor the individual processes, generate relevant reports and compare them.
Only when everything goes smoothly, nothing prevents you from making the last move. Give up old habits after the migration is complete, but even better, triple-check that all data is in place and everything is working properly before you lose something important.