Data migration in IT and Software Development: types, scenarios, risks, and business benefits in 2025

As a business grows, the load on IT systems increases - legacy infrastructure starts slowing sales, delaying analytics, and getting in the way of new product launches. Data migration helps modernize the IT foundation: move to the cloud, eliminate unnecessary servers, and ensure scalability. But success depends on the approach you choose. Here we explain which types of data migration exist, when to choose each one, and how it affects costs, downtime, and operational efficiency.

Data migration is the transfer of information from one system to another: from an old CRM, an on-premises server, or the cloud. Businesses need it when the current system cannot handle the load, does not integrate with new channels, or is simply outdated. For example, a CRM slows down as the customer base grows, while a warehouse system does not work well with marketplaces. It also happens that companies merge - then the data must be consolidated into one system.

Another reason is security: if the software is not updated, the risk of compromise increases, and the consequences can cost more than the migration itself. A successful data migration helps: - reduce operating costs - new systems work more efficiently; - speed up decision-making - all information is available in one place; - comply with legal requirements - this is especially important when working with personal data. Important:migration includes not only data transfer, but also _system configuration, error checking, and a rollback plan_ - without this, there is a risk of data loss or service disruptions.

Who needs migration and when: - Banks and fintech companies data is migrated when moving from outdated mainframes (central servers) to modern cloud platforms. This helps launch new products faster, such as online loans. - Retail and logistics they move information when switching CRM or warehouse management systems.

Legacy systems cannot handle traffic growth, especially during seasonal peaks. - Industrial holdings they consolidate data after mergers and acquisitions to get a single view of all assets. - Public sector and telecom are actively migrating as part of import substitution to comply with the law. - Healthcare and insurance organizations they move information into centralized repositories for scoring systems and predictive analytics.

This makes it possible to assess risks more accurately and create personalized offers for customers. Plan a migration if: - You are implementing a new ERP or CRM system. - Your current system is slowing down and does not scale. - If your current provider has raised prices or does not offer the features you need. - The company is going through M&A (mergers and acquisitions). - Outdated hardware or software is reaching end of support (you stop receiving security updates, which makes an urgent data move to a new platform necessary). According to studies, in 2024 65% Large CIS companies have increased budgets for data migration projects in connection with IT infrastructure modernization - migration has become an _integral part of business digital growth._ Migration specifics in 2025. Today, data migration must account for system interconnections, growing data volumes, and new security requirements - there were fewer such challenges five years ago.

Effective migration today has the following characteristics: - _You are migrating not just data, but connected services._ In the past, CRM could be migrated without accounting for analytics. Today, this approach breaks report logic, and the sales team works blind.

So, if you are migrating order information, you must configure its integration with inventory accounting at the same time, otherwise logistics teams will not be able to fulfill new orders. - _The share of non-standard formats is growing (video, telemetry,__IoT_In the past, people mainly worked with spreadsheets. Today, they migrate video from surveillance cameras, equipment log files, and IoT sensor data. This kind of information takes up terabytes.

It cannot be processed in Excel - parsers, storage systems, and high-bandwidth communication channels are needed. - _Security has moved to the forefront._ It is no longer enough to simply copy files. Without encryption during data transfer there is a risk of leakage - and that means a legal violation and possible fines.

The business must ensure protection from the very start of the project, rather than configuring it later. - _Import substitution is in effect._ Companies are moving from Oracle to Postgres or CIS cloud platforms to avoid dependence on foreign vendors and comply with the law. It is important to check in advance how your applications will work with the new technology stack and plan the necessary changes. Next, we will look at _data migration types_ and explain how to choose the right one for your tasks.

The point is that, what exactly you are migrating. Choosing the right migration type directly affects project success - it helps achieve specific business goals: lower costs, speed up processes, or bring products to market faster.

Storage migration You move information between storage systems, for example, from on-premises servers to cloud object storage such as _Yandex Cloud Object Storage or VK Cloud Solutions._ You avoid buying servers, pay only for the capacity you need, and reduce monthly costs by 2-3 times. The company gets access to files from any office or remotely, which is especially important for distributed teams.

Even if the provider's server fails, access to the data is preserved - the cloud automatically switches to a backup copy. What is important to do: Before the project starts, assess the actual volume of data you actively use and what can be moved to archival storage class - this will reduce monthly costs. What to pay attention to: check whether the selected provider has the required FSTEC and FSB of CIS certifications if you work with personal or confidential data.

Database migration is the move from a legacy DBMS to a more modern one, such as Postgres Pro or Tarantool. These databases are usually deployed in the cloud to avoid maintaining your own infrastructure. You get automatic backups, fast application performance, and the ability to scale without buying new hardware.

When migrating a database to a managed cloud (for example, Yandex Managed Service for PostgreSQL or VK Cloud Solutions DBaaS), you often pay separately for compute resources (vCPU, RAM) and separately for disk storage capacity.

This model helps reduce costs because you do not overpay for unused resources and can scale any component independently and flexibly. What is important to do:analyze the compatibility of your old and new DBMS so you can plan script and application changes in advance. What to pay attention to:plan pilot load testing to make sure the new system can handle peak activity, for example during sales events.

Application migration When migrating applications, you move not only the data, but the system itself - for example, from an on-premises 1C:ERP version _to the cloud or_SaaS platformThis reduces the load on the IT team: servers are no longer needed, updates are installed automatically, and there is no need to expand the admin staff. New features and integrations - online cash registers, marketplaces, delivery - can be connected in a few days instead of dragging the project out for months.

This reduces the time needed to launch new sales channels and speeds up time to market. What is important to do: create an inventory of all modules and integrations in your current application so nothing is missed during migration. What to pay attention to: be sure to include a maintenance window for updates in the contract with the provider so it does not disrupt your core operations. Business process migration. The company moves workflows to the cloud - for example, sales management and customer service.

Instead of scattered spreadsheets and email, a single system is used: _Bitrix24 or Megaplan._ For example, in a retail chain with 30 managers, after moving to a cloud CRM, the time needed to prepare a sales report dropped from 3 hours to 15 minutes, and the number of overdue tasks decreased by 40%.

A manager can see who is at which stage at any time and step in quickly. What is important to do: if reports are prepared manually, automate them first in the old system - otherwise the same problems will remain in the new one. What to pay attention to: train employees before the system goes live to avoid downtime after implementation.

Migration to and between clouds When migrating to the cloud, you move information from on-premises infrastructure or from one provider to another - for example, _from an internal data center to SberCloud or between MTS and VK Cloud._ After that, you can immediately use cloud services: visual analytics, managed databases, and AI tools - all without installing or buying additional software. This approach simplifies scaling and reduces costs.

Plus, you are not tied to a single vendor: you can flexibly change pricing plans and platforms to avoid overpaying and reduce risk during outages or price increases. What is important to do:use tools to monitor traffic and costs between platforms (for example, _Yandex Cloud Monitoring, SberCloud Analytics, or VK Cloud Solutions Billing)_ to control expenses in a multi-cloud environment. What to pay attention to: set unified access rules for all cloud services in use so that security gaps do not appear. Let's compare the main types of data migration and their business value:

For systems to work reliably after migration and for data to remain accurate and protected, it is important to establish right away data governance. You eliminate duplicates, clean up your sources, and speed up analytics many times over. In the end, the business makes decisions based on complete, reliable information rather than scattered spreadsheets.

What is data migration in simple terms? Data migration is the transfer of information from one system to another.

For example, from an old CRM to a new one, or from an on-premises server to the cloud. Why is data migration needed? Most often, to upgrade the IT system, speed up operations, reduce costs, or switch to CIS software. What types of data migration are there? There are the following data migration types: by object (storage systems, databases, applications, processes, cloud environments) and by method (the entire system is moved at once (Big Bang) or in stages (phased)). How long does data migration take? Small projects (up to 100 GB) take 1-2 weeks.

Large migrations (1-10 TB) take 1-3 months. Timelines depend on data volume, transformation complexity, and the chosen migration method. What should be checked before migration? You need to check the system scope, data volume, and compatibility with the new platform. Also whether there is a rollback plan in case something goes wrong. Which migration type should you choose - full or phased? Use a full migration for small systems where downtime can be scheduled.

A phased approach is suitable for mission-critical systems that must run 24/7. Are there risks in data migration? Typical risks include data loss due to migration failures, prolonged business process downtime, data format incompatibility between systems, and budget overruns. To reduce risks, create backups before starting, test the process on data copies, choose the right time for migration, and set aside an extra 15-20% in the budget for unforeseen work.