Understanding complex data before migration
Analysis and custom tooling to assess complex file structures and prepare document data for a planned cloud migration.
The client’s challenge
A pharmaceutical organisation was assessing how to move deeply nested shared-drive content into a cloud document platform. Existing file names and folder structures needed to be understood before changes could be planned: paths could be too long, names could contain unsupported characters, and different source names could become identical after preparation.
Our contribution
CIPHER’s work covered feasibility analysis, technical design and custom Java tooling for inspecting and preparing file-system content. The work examined compatibility with SharePoint Online and provided a structured approach to the changes a migration would require.
From file structures to actionable findings
Path analysis identifies naming and length issues. Preparation logic handles abbreviations, truncation and potential name collisions, while reporting records proposed changes. Dry-run behaviour allows preparation to be examined before applying changes.
Keeping the changes understandable
The technical work considered both platform restrictions and the meaning carried by a folder structure. Mapping original paths to prepared paths and recording exceptions makes the proposed changes traceable and gives reviewers something concrete to inspect.
A historical engagement
This case study describes past analysis, design and tooling work. The system is no longer in use. The scope presented here is the preparation work, rather than a claim of a completed production migration.
Scope of our work
Data analysis · Migration assessment · Custom Java tooling · Technical design