Meaning
The systemic migration of an organization’s digital records and workflows from one software environment to another. A platform transition occurs when a founder decides to change the core tools used for business operations. It governs the continuity of information across the life of a company.
The boundary is the point where data is either fully migrated or abandoned.
Migration Risk
Moving data between systems often results in the loss of formatting or metadata. During a platform transition, the primary goal is to maintain the evidential value of the records. This requires mapping between the old and new database fields.
Process Flow
Audit activity starts the transition by identifying which data is worth moving. Engineers then build connectors to export the information into a format the new system can ingest. Testing must be done at every stage to ensure nothing was corrupted.
The final step is the decommissioning of the old environment. This is a high-cost activity that requires dedicated hours and focus.
Future Access
Success is measured by the ability to find old records in the new home. This ensures that the history of the company is not broken by a change in vendor. It provides a bridge between different eras of the business.