Quick Guide
To
Data Migration
Dr Peter Lappo,
SMR Ltd, April 2002
In Brief (Work in progress)
Migrating data from one system to another can be a suprisingly complex
operation. Good planning, a thorough understanding of the data in both
systems, tools to copy and move the data, and a method to prove the migration
are all part of the process.
What is data migration?
Data migration is the process of moving data from system to another (also
known as data conversion). Migration is normally carried out in the context
of databases when a system is being replaced or decommissioned.
What are the principal data migration issues?
- The data needs to be understood in two different dimensions.
- There needs to be mapping defined between fields in the source and
target database.
- How the data is used by applications in both systems needs to be
understood.
- Performance will be an issue when large amounts of data have to be
migrated in a limited period of time.
- The result needs to be verified and signed off by the customer.
- Data will need cleansing.
- Migration is harder when two or more databases are data sources and
data needs to be merged.
How To Find Out More
Search for Data Migration on Amazon or Google.com and you will find a
large body of information available in the form of books, papers and tools.
SMR can you help you by navigate
through this information and successfully use XP by,
- examining your current practices and making recommendations for process
improvement,
- making recommendations on tool support,
- providing XP training courses,
- providing coaching and mentoring on your XP projects
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