Danny Rivera / flickr An organization is only as effective as the quality and accessibility of information needed for its operations. Information is as critical to success as the organization’s personnel and equipment. This is why data migrations are tasks not to be taken lightly. The data migrations process involves the transfer of information from a computer system by means of extracting data from a source database, correcting errors, reformatting and loading it into a new software solution. To prevent problems and ensure efficiency, moving data must be done with thought and planning. This is especially true for organizations involved in right of way. Due to the critical importance of accurate, easily accessible information, data migrations should be a centerpiece for discussions and planning surrounding technology upgrades. The technology company  geoAMPS  has performed successful data migrations for a number of its clients. Think about how the information collected within your right of way activities influences your daily business. Those paper and electronic documents are used by field agents, the accounting office, the planning committee and several other departments, making your company’s information one of its most valuable assets. Historically, data migrations have been lengthy and costly. Understandably, company representatives want assurance that the process will be completed seamlessly and without damage to the original data. While such concerns are justified, the need to complete data migrations should not create a roadblock for an organization that wants to upgrade its technology. With new techniques and proper planning, the efficient transfer of information can be accomplished in record time, providing right of way organizations the opportunity to improve efficiency and their bottomline by utilizing current technology. Data Migration Challenges Data migrations are not without challenges. For example, variations in data entered in an uncontrolled environment, such as a spreadsheet, result in the company’s project database being inconsistent. Also, information typically is stored in different file formats, ranging from scanned documents, PDF files, Word documents, to spreadsheets. These files oftentimes are housed on multiple computers or subject to closely guarded proprietary techniques. Organizations might desire a central repository for this information, as well as consistency in how the information is presented, but still prefer to retain the original format in which there already had been substantial investment. Issues and challenges associated with data migrations vary from one organization to another. The right technology can identify these issues within the organization’s database and make the necessary modifications so that the data is stored centrally and consistently. Here are four examples of the types of challenges frequently associated with data migrations: Example   1  – In the process of identifying and acquiring right of way, the organization may run into multiple tracts titled to the same individual. Maintaining separate records for each tract can result in duplication of the data if appropriate precautions are not taken during the migration of this data. Consider the following instance: