How property management agencies can avoid the dangers of data migration

Gemma Nettle

By Gemma Nettle

11 October 2024

It's new software season! Looking for new software ahead of 2025 can be daunting, so why should it get tougher after making a decision? After choosing a new platform, the next step is to transfer all of your agency's data, which can be fraught with issues if the proper preparations haven't been made. 

We’ve put together a list of the things most likely to go wrong in the process — and how you can avoid these common snags.

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🗓️ Lack of planning

Data migration involves too many variables and potential problems. Being told what to expect is one thing, but having hands-on experience is the only way to know what is in store for a business expecting new software. 

This is no time for complacency. Exploring the new software before migrating data can save files from being corrupted due to a lack of compatibility. Discovering these issues ahead of time can save a lot of bother in the future. 

Make sure to ask your onboarding agent how you can best prepare, including questions about which file formats to use. 

 

⚠️ Human error

Data migration is not an easy process. It's hard enough with help, so why make it more difficult by attempting it with agency employees unfamiliar with the system they're migrating to? 

Not all businesses keep their files and accounts in software but primarily work on paper. Migrating data from physical spreadsheets will be time-consuming, especially if the company decides to perform it manually. Inputing a figure incorrectly, no matter what it is, will have repercussions for the agency down the road—and these mistakes are very easy to make. 

Professional Services can provide agencies with a stress-free way of migrating their data from one system to Fixflo.

 

 

🔬 No testing

Imagine migrating every piece of data within a company only to discover half of the files are corrupt. This leaves the business with no backups and having to start from scratch with all their systems. 

Don't make this mistake and lose data due to a lack of testing. Try backing up a few files before transferring them one at a time to the new software. If this works without a hitch, you will have more confidence in the software. However, if errors show up, no harm is done. 

 

🗑️ Junk migration

Any agency will have unwanted files or junk that is no longer relevant to them. An easy way to speed up the data migration process is to delete everything that won't be needed in the new system. It's worth creating a backup before doing this. 

This will also save time once the data migration has occurred. There is no point in starting on the latest software with unwanted spam, so get spring cleaning! 

 

🏃 Rushing in

Take the time to get to grips with everything. Rushing into new software is the first rookie mistake any business can make. Learn the basics, and ensure your agency is adequately prepared for the step it is about to take.

The number of potential errors that could occur is infinite, so create a detailed plan of the steps that will be taken before, during and after the data migration. Then, it is all about staying on track.

Gemma Nettle

When Gemma is not writing at work, her main hobby is writing at home. Entertainment is her bag, lapping up every new film and TV series with ferocity. She is always on the lookout for a new pastime, having experimented with dance, baking and bass guitar.

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BLOG DISCLAIMER

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions related to issues in this article, we strongly advise contacting a legal professional.
These blog posts are the work of Fixflo and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. In summary, you are welcome to re-publish any of these blog posts but are asked to attribute Fixflo with an appropriate link to www.fixflo.com. Access to this blog is allowed only subject to the acceptance of these terms.

Gemma Nettle

By Gemma Nettle

11 October 2024

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