The 5 Biggest Data Center Migration Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

Oct 25, 2020

Key factors driving data center transformation or migration include space restrictions, economic considerations, mergers, acquisitions, or regulatory compliance. Migrating data centers isn't something most people do every day. It can be overwhelming and expensive, so it must be done right. Unfortunately, most companies assume that data center migration is just like any other IT implementation project and doesn't require rigorous planning or preparations leading them to make huge mistakes during the migration process that could have been easily avoided. Here are five mistakes to avoid.

#1: Failing to coordinate a full current-state inventory

The most common mistake made during the initial or discovery phase of the data center migration process is not doing a complete infrastructure or data assets evaluation.

You probably have documentation of every asset and associated applications that your data centers utilize. This documentation encompasses the data servers, software applications, virtual and cloud-based technology, and several other physical and digital assets. However, if your documentation hasn't been updated for nearly a year, then you might lose track of 30% or more of the resources that need to be accounted for. To ensure that all assets are properly accounted for, you need to evaluate your data center infrastructure from top to bottom. Rack-by-rack and U-by-U.

 

#2: Neglecting to delegate

Organizations can benefit tremendously from the delegation. The trick is to ensure that all processes are carefully delegated to the most competent and responsible figureheads in a department.

This is particularly critical when implementing a data center migration but is often overlooked. Somebody needs to be responsible for ensuring the migration is conducted within necessary protocols. They must be given the autonomy to make traditional decisions, including canceling the migration if instabilities or other problems arise. This person must also have the right skills to handle your data.

 

#3: Not Coordinating with the Business

With a complete and current state assessment in hand, it's tempting to just fire up your project management tool of choice and start planning the migration. However, if you do this, you'll leave out the input of the resources needed to provide the operational context, requirements, and resources to test systems. Coordinating with the business can also help organize the migration in stages, allowing the project plan to avoid conflicts with other key initiatives, busy periods, or staff shortages.

 

#4: Forgetting to Plan the Days After

Another common mistake is to neglect to plan for the day after the migration has been completed. The time spent coordinating with the business and the current state assessment results should also be used to line up any training, procedural changes, or other help desk support to help end-users get comfortable with their new world.

 

#5: Overestimating Your Communications Plan

While the data center migration process might be the center of attention for your department for several months, many other stakeholders won't be engaged to know how things are progressing and what key decisions are being made. Take the time to develop several communication methods—from email to flyers, workshops, and videos—and use them to maintain awareness and engagement across the enterprise, meeting all the different types of end-users where they are.

 

Conclusion

As Yogi Berra rightly said, "If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else." These adages speak to the importance of planning before embarking on any big journey, and it also applies here. Although mistakes will still occur, unexpected events will happen, and budgets and schedules will slip. Taking the time to avoid common setbacks can help you guide your organization through a usually stressful time, ending up with a more efficient, reliable, and agile data center platform. If you are ready to learn more about how we can help request a free consultation today!

 

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Topics: IT Support, Managed Services, Digital Transformation, Cloud Computing, cloud providers, it compliance, cloud services, Managed IT Services, microsoft azure, microsoft azure migration services, azure application services, azure network services, azure virtual machines, data migration, azure slq migration, data center migration