Data Migration Best Practices: Lessons from the Field
Large-scale data migrations are complex, high-risk endeavours that can make or break digital transformation initiatives. Drawing from our experience migrating over 2 terabytes of engineering data for major Australian organisations, we've identified key principles that consistently lead to successful outcomes.
1. Never Migrate Blindly
One of the most common mistakes organisations make is assuming all data needs to be migrated. Before moving a single file, you need to understand:
- What data actually exists
- What's still valuable versus archival
- What can be indexed in place versus migrated
- Where dependencies and relationships exist
We've saved clients millions by implementing intelligent overlay solutions like Mesh that make legacy data searchable without the cost and risk of migration.
2. Preserve Relationships and History
Engineering data isn't just files—it's a web of relationships. CAD references, version histories, approval workflows, and document dependencies all need to be preserved. Losing these relationships can render migrated data useless.
Our migration frameworks are specifically designed to:
- Extract complete revision histories
- Rebuild reference structures
- Maintain parent-child relationships
- Preserve audit trails
3. Delta Management is Critical
In real-world migrations, users can't simply stop working for weeks while data is moved. We implement delta-tracking mechanisms that capture changes in legacy systems throughout the migration period, ensuring the new system is fully up-to-date on Go Live day.
4. Metadata Standardisation
Multiple source systems often mean multiple metadata schemas—some conflicting, some redundant, some obsolete. Successful migrations require:
- A unified metadata schema
- Mapping rules for every source system
- Validation and quality rules
- Stakeholder alignment across engineering, IT, and document control
5. Plan for Zero Downtime
For critical infrastructure organisations, downtime isn't an option. Every migration we execute is designed for zero business disruption, with:
- Seamless cutover processes
- Comprehensive user training
- Live support during transition
- Rollback procedures if needed
Conclusion
Data migration isn't just a technical challenge—it's an opportunity to modernise information management, improve governance, and enable long-term scalability. The key is approaching it with the right expertise, tools, and methodology.
At Tentech, we've developed specialised frameworks and tools that handle the complexity of large-scale engineering data migrations, delivering enterprise-grade outcomes in high-risk environments.
Want to learn more about our approach to data migration? Contact us to discuss your specific challenges.