Data Migration Strategies to Cut Down Migration Costs by 70%

Migrating data can feel overwhelming and expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right strategies, you can actually reduce migration costs by up to 70%. So, what’s the trick? It’s all about being intentional—only migrating the data that’s essential and ensuring its quality. Let’s break down three practical strategies that can make a big difference.

1. Start With an Initial Data Health Assessment

Imagine trying to pack for a big move without knowing what you actually need to take. You might end up carrying around things you don’t need, wasting space and time. Data migration works the same way. Before starting, it’s critical to understand the “health” of your data by doing an initial assessment.

A data health assessment checks for inconsistencies, outdated records, and other issues that could cause headaches down the line. By identifying and fixing these issues ahead of time, you avoid the pain of moving unnecessary or faulty data. This step alone saves you time and reduces costs because you’re only working with high-quality data right from the start.

Think of it as trimming down your moving boxes to just the essentials. You’ll need fewer resources to move and manage it all, which means you’re already on the path to cutting costs.

Steps to Take:

• Data Profiling: Analyze the accuracy and completeness of your data.
• Data Validation: Check if your data aligns with business requirements and expectations, so there are no surprises later.

2. Prioritize High-Trust Tables for Phase 1 Migration

Once your data is in good shape, the next step is to prioritize what’s truly important. High-trust tables are tables with critical information—data that’s essential for daily operations or compliance. Prioritizing these high-trust tables for migration helps reduce both the time and cost of the migration process. It ensures you’re moving the most crucial data first, so you can test and adjust your approach as needed without putting all your resources on the line.

For example, if your business relies heavily on certain customer records or financial data, start with those. This strategy not only makes the migration smoother but also provides peace of mind that your vital data is ready for action.

Steps to Take:

• Evaluate Data Usage: Identify the tables frequently accessed by your team.
• Collaborate with Stakeholders: Work with your team to determine which data holds the most importance.

3. Deduplication: Eliminating Redundant Data

One of the biggest reasons for high migration costs? Redundant data. Duplicates and near-duplicates can pile up, adding unnecessary weight to your migration workload. Deduplication is the process of eliminating these redundant entries so that you’re only moving what’s necessary.

This doesn’t just save money on migration costs—it also boosts data performance. Clean, duplicate-free data allows for smoother processes and less clutter in your new environment, making it easier to manage and analyze after the migration.

Steps to Take:

• Run Duplicate Checks: Use tools to identify and remove duplicates.
• Set Entry Rules: Establish rules to prevent future duplicates, keeping your data clean in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Cutting migration costs doesn’t require cutting corners. By investing in data health assessments, prioritizing high-trust data, and focusing on deduplication, you create a streamlined process that’s cost-effective and efficient. With these strategies, you can turn what might seem like a complex and costly project into a smooth, strategic migration journey.

Ready to get started? Talk to a data expert today and make your migration a success.