Ensure Smooth and Efficient Data Migration
All organizations need to store their files and data—but when it comes time to move to a new environment, whether on-premises or in the cloud, a common challenge emerges: there’s often little visibility into what’s actually being stored and how much of it is still relevant. That’s why many organizations see this as the perfect opportunity to not only migrate, but to streamline—eliminating outdated or unnecessary data and setting the stage for a cleaner, more efficient future environment.
Imagine moving to a new home.
Before the big move, you’d typically sort through your belongings, getting rid of old documents and unnecessary furniture. It’s easy to overlook the importance of what goes into your boxes. But what if you accidentally pack raw materials, random items, or things you don’t need right now without organizing them properly? These boxes could end up cluttering your new home, leaving you unsure of what’s inside.
To avoid unnecessary risks and make the transition smoother, why not take the time to organize your belongings before you move? Proper preparation ensures a seamless move and helps you avoid bringing chaos with you.
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Data Migration Support Service
Optimize Migrations Through Intelligent Preparation and Support
Northern’s Data Migration Support service helps analyze the current status of file services that are set to be migrated. It visualizes the usage of these services and recommends actions to ensure optimal data migration before the actual process begins.
Why it Matters
Large-scale data migrations demand careful planning and precision. Whether it’s user shares moving to OneDrive, group shares shifting to Teams Sites, or application data transferring between NAS platforms, migrations often span hundreds of terabytes, millions of folders, and hundreds of millions of files—even when done in phases.
Gaining early visibility into the file systems and their permissions can shave weeks off migration timelines and significantly reduce risk. It enables proactive communication with stakeholders, cleanup of redundant or incompatible files, and proper alignment of permissions to ensure smooth access for migration tools.
Ongoing monitoring during the migration process helps identify and resolve issues quickly, keeping everything on track and ensuring a seamless experience for end users.
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What are the steps?
Step-by-Step Migration Support
At Northern, we take a collaborative approach, working closely with our customers every step of the way.
It’s important to highlight that the migration support service goes beyond just assessment. Unlike services that only identify and analyze the current situation and share the results, Northern provide actionability. This means data isn’t just assessed — Northern actively assist in implementing the necessary steps to ensure a successful migration.
Analyze and Understand the Current Situation
Identify and Prioritize the Issues
Take Action to Remediate the Issues
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Current Situation Analysis
Key Aspects of the Current Situation Analysis
Categorization
Use Path Categories and Path Labels to organize the data for a clearer, more refined understanding.
Ownership
Review ownership information and determine whether more in-depth or alternative analyses may be needed later.
Rates of Activity
Identify the most active source objects (shares/sites) that may require special handling.
Growth Drivers
Identify which types of files/activities are driving data growth.
Access for Migration
Check that the account/group that will be used for data migration has the necessary access to all Source Data.
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Identification and Prioritization
Prioritization of Identified Issues
Whether you’re replacing servers or migrating to the cloud, it’s essential to identify and resolve any incompatible files in the current setup, eliminate unnecessary data, and ensure it doesn’t carry over into the new environment. With Northern’s expertise and experience, we provide actionable advice on the best steps to take.
For instance, we prioritize issues based on key considerations such as:
The number of outdated files and whether they still need to be retained
Abandoned shared folders
Email archive files
Leftover IT-related resources, such as unused virtual machines
Proper access rights and permissions
And more…
Our analysis will highlight the current status of these categories and identify the issues that need to be addressed.
A common challenge when migrating to the cloud is the initial intent to move everything, only to find that some data needs to remain on the file servers, resulting in a hybrid setup. It’s important to be aware that such unexpected scenarios can arise, so it’s wise to plan accordingly from the start.
※See also
Data Migration Support Dashboard
File Service Usage Visualisation (File Service Insight is beneficial not only for data migration but also for continuous monitoring of production environments.)
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Actionability
Take Action on Identified Issues
Once the issues are identified and prioritized, the next step is to take action!
For example, the following actions may be considered:
Determine how many years of data should be stored and decide what to do with older data (e.g., move to cost-effective storage and destroy it after the legal retention period).
Delete files that are incompatible or non-compliant with policies.
Correct any improper access rights or permissions.
And more.
In collaboration with the customer, Northern can help define the prioritization, timeline, and strategy for addressing each issue—such as targeting large or outdated data first as part of a clean-up initiative.
This step is a critical component of the migration support service. Understanding the issues is only the beginning; taking action is essential. Northern will guide and support you throughout the entire process to ensure successful project execution.
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Results
Customer Cuts Migration Time by 33%
Here is an example of how customers are using the Migration Support Service.
Northern Shortens Large Scale Data Migration Project by 8 Months – a 33% Reduction
The customer faced a massive data migration challenge due to the sheer volume of data, causing delays in the project. Northern helped them reduce over 100 million files, resulting in a migration time that was 30-40% faster than originally planned. As a result, the new environment enables streamlined data management from the outset, with key features including:
Action on Non-Compliant Files
Clean-up of ROT (Redundant, Obsolete, or Trivial) Data
Mass Quarantine of Unnecessary Files
Clear Pathways to Taking Action on Data
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Sustainable IT
Organizing data can also play a significant role in decarbonization efforts. With growing interest in eco-friendly practices during server replacements and environmental proposals, efficient data management can contribute to reducing your carbon footprint. By showcasing your decarbonization initiatives in data management, you can highlight your commitment to sustainability in your organization’s annual report, demonstrating positive environmental impact to stakeholders.
Establish Data Ownership
Establishing clear data ownership is key. It’s not just about identifying the data’s origin; it’s about making individuals or teams accountable for it. This process ensures proper stewardship and responsibility for all data, even when ownership may be ambiguous.
Transform File Storage into File Service
Architecting and delivering file storage as a service is a crucial step in transforming IT from a disconnected silo into an integrated core business enabler.
