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What is Data Migration?

David White
David White

Data migration means what it sounds like it means — sort of. It's not data that moves one from place to another, unless you think of places as being virtual. It is actually the translation of data from one format to another format or from one storage device to another storage device. This also necessarily requires someone or something to do the translating. Data doesn't just get up and walk to another format all by itself.

Data migration is necessary when a company upgrades its database or system software, either from one version to another or from one program to an entirely different program. Software can be specifically written, using entire programs or just scripts, to facilitate migration. Such upgrades or program switches can take place as a result of regular company practices or as a result of directives mandated in the wake of a company takeover.

Man holding computer
Man holding computer

Another use of data migration is to store little-used data on magnetic tape or other backup storage methods. This data may need to be stored for historical purposes or for periodic access. Individual computer users do this all the time when they back up their data to CDs, DVDs, or external hard drives. Companies large and small do this, of course, to protect and archive their data. Migrated data typically is moved offline but remains available via network access, leaving the online environment free to conduct current business.

Data migration typically has four phases: analysis of source data, extraction and transformation of data, validation and repair of data, and use of data in the new program. During each phase, the migration software works its electronic magic, performing the necessary machinations before moving the data on through the process. Perhaps the most sensitive phase is validation and repair. In this phase, data is evaluated for potential problems, which are flagged and identified to the user. Unresolvable problems can be identified at this stage, along with untranslatable data, so they can be set aside and not gum up the whole data migration works.

Discussion Comments

bodaniel

I feel the following statement is not quite accurate: "It's not data that moves one from place to another, unless you think of places as being virtual."

I've worked on data migrations that involved moving data between different physical servers and different geographic areas. I've also worked on some migrations where data was present still in file cabinets and had to be physically translated into a system as part of the overall migration.

I realize that my definition may have some flaws too, but I welcome any discussion and feedback.

anon142917

expressor software just released a very easy to use, innovative data integration tool called expressor Studio. I've downloaded it recently and like what I see.

anon15562

Indeed, a "software can be specifically written" in order to perform data migration, but building your own ETL, despite all the advantages that it may entails, means that ETL has a great clout in your company, so much so that you can afford to spend a great amount of money to build a fine-tuned ETL software. And this is where "open source" comes into play, allowing you to save money comparing to a proprietary product or the building of your own ETL. As a matter of fact I've had to make several data migrations in my different jobs and it was always one-shot projects, I've used different open source ETL software and, to me, the most ergonomic one was Talend Open Studio that I discovered through a free webinar organized by the vendor itself

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