Cloud Migration

Direct Migration

The simplest approach is a direct migration, where files are transferred directly from the source to the destination cloud service. This is ideal for:

• One-time migrations
• Smaller file collections
• Situations where you need to quickly move files

To perform a direct migration, follow the steps in our Quick Start Guide.

Phased Migration

For larger migrations, a phased approach may be more manageable. This involves:

• Breaking down the migration into smaller, logical groups
• Migrating each group separately
• Verifying successful transfer before moving to the next group

MigrateClouds supports phased migrations through its folder selection and filtering capabilities.

Hybrid Migration

In a hybrid migration, you maintain files in multiple cloud services while gradually transitioning. This is useful when:

• You need to maintain access to files during the migration
• Different teams use different cloud services
• You want to test the new cloud service before fully committing

MigrateClouds can help manage hybrid environments by providing a unified view of files across all connected cloud services.

Before Migration

• Audit your files: Review your files to identify what needs to be migrated and what can be archived or deleted.
• Clean up: Remove duplicate files, outdated documents, and unnecessary data to reduce migration time and storage costs.
• Organize files: Establish a clear folder structure to make the migration more manageable and improve findability after migration.
• Check permissions: Ensure you have the necessary permissions for all files you plan to migrate.
• Estimate time and resources: Based on the volume of data, estimate how long the migration will take and plan accordingly.

During Migration

• Start small: Begin with a small batch of non-critical files to test the process.
• Monitor progress: Keep an eye on the transfer progress and address any issues that arise.
• Maintain communication: If the migration affects other users, keep them informed about the progress and any temporary access limitations.
• Avoid modifications: Try not to modify files in the source location during migration to prevent conflicts.

After Migration

• Verify transfers: Check that all files have been transferred correctly and are accessible in the destination.
• Update sharing settings: Reconfigure sharing permissions as needed in the new cloud service.
• Update links: If you have links to files in documents or bookmarks, update them to point to the new location.
• Provide training: If necessary, train users on how to access and work with files in the new cloud service.
• Document the migration: Keep records of what was migrated, when, and any issues encountered for future reference.

Personal to Business

Migrating from personal cloud storage to a business account:

• Moving from personal Google Drive to a Google Workspace account
• Transitioning from personal OneDrive to OneDrive for Business
• Upgrading from Dropbox Basic to Dropbox Business

This type of migration often involves reorganizing files to align with business folder structures and sharing policies.

Changing Cloud Providers

Switching from one cloud provider to another:

• Moving from Google Drive to OneDrive
• Transitioning from Dropbox to Google Drive
• Switching from OneDrive to Dropbox

When changing providers, be aware of differences in features, file type support, and sharing capabilities.

Consolidation

Combining files from multiple cloud services into one:

• Merging personal and work files into a single location
• Consolidating team files that are spread across different services
• Bringing together files from acquired companies or departments

Consolidation requires careful planning to avoid duplicate files and maintain a logical organization structure.

Scheduled Transfers

Set up transfers to run at specific times, which is useful for:

• Running migrations during off-hours to minimize disruption
• Breaking large migrations into scheduled batches
• Automating regular synchronization between cloud services

Learn more in our Automation documentation.

Filtering Options

Use filters to selectively migrate files based on:

• File type (documents, images, videos, etc.)
• Date modified (e.g., only files updated in the last year)
• File size (e.g., exclude files larger than a certain size)
• File name patterns (using wildcards or regular expressions)

Transfer Reports

Detailed reports provide insights into your migrations:

• Summary of transferred files (count, total size)
• List of successful transfers
• Details of any failed transfers and error messages
• Transfer duration and speed

Reports can be downloaded for record-keeping or troubleshooting.