Converting data from one form to another can have very many advantages. You can enjoy better compatibility with new systems or software, higher data processing speeds, improved versatility and much more by changing to a new data format.

However, data conversion is a very complicated process. There are many factors to consider before, during, and after the conversion to ensure that you end up with the best possible results. What are some of the things you should do or avoid to ensure that the conversion process is a success?

Conversion Dos

Some of the things you should do when converting your data include:

1. Decide on the data you want to convert: An organization can have many years' worth of data in its storage systems, but not all this data will be useful to the organization going forward. Some of this data may also be replicated in more than one place. Converting all this data will take up your time and resources, so decide what data you actually need before you start the conversion process.

2. Test small amounts of data: It would be a shame to convert a large chunk of data only to realize that the result you're getting isn't what you expected.

3. Document everything: There is a lot of information that's created when you convert data. From who did what and what was converted to where the data was stored and what errors were made during the process, the list of things to keep track of is long. These records can be useful in the future.

Conversion Don'ts

Some of the mistakes you should avoid when converting data include:

1. Not cleaning up your data: The data you're converting may have a lot of errors that can affect the conversion process. It's also not good practice to carry forward mistakes.

2. Not mapping your data: You need to know where the data that's being converted will be stored after the conversion. You could spend a lot of time looking for data that was stored in the wrong location after conversion.

3. Not doing your due diligence: Your data may be vulnerable during the conversion process. Even storing data temporarily in the wrong location could lead to questions from regulators that you may not have answers to.

Choose the Right Format

Perhaps the most important thing to do as far as conversion is concerned is to ensure that you choose the right format. Converting to a format that is outdated or not secure can be very costly. For more information, contact your local IT consulting service today.