Computer migration is the transfer of data and applications between two different computers. It can be done manually or with software and hardware packages. It is usually necessary for corporate environments but not for personal computer users.
Computer migration, also known as personal computer (PC) migration, data migration, or software migration, is the moving of data and applications between two different computers. There are many reasons for requesting a computer migration; two of the most common reasons are buying a new PC and upgrading PCs in a corporate environment. These situations could create the need to transfer all information from old computer systems to new ones. Data migration can be done manually, although full computer migration is usually facilitated with the aid of a software and hardware package, such as a data transfer cable.
Usually, it is not necessary to transfer all files or applications between two computers. The data transfer can be avoided altogether or the movement can be done through means such as external memory devices. Some companies offer Internet storage where data can be uploaded from the old machine and then downloaded to the new machine, negating the need for a complete computer migration.
Other times, though, these methods aren’t feasible. When many applications are manually copied to a new system, for example, the applications may revert to their original settings or not function completely. In these cases, some information, such as log data, must be transferred directly to the second machine. It is under this kind of circumstances that computer migration becomes necessary.
For personal computer users outside of a corporate environment, computer migration is generally not a problem. Upgrading or changing computers generally only requires the migration of certain data, such as documents and photos, which can easily be done by means other than full migration. User environments can usually be easily replicated on the new machine and therefore do not require a direct transfer from the previous system. For an upgrade to a computer with an operating system already installed, porting the operating system (OS) and its subcomponents also tends to be undesirable; applications can usually be easily reinstalled on the new system and reconfigured to match the old settings.
In a corporate environment, upgrading to new machines can require a computer migration more often than not, as many more files and important operating system and application settings and configurations need to be replicated on the new computer systems. Whereas a computer migration can be performed by the individual owner in a home migration scenario, the operation will usually be performed by a professional in a corporate environment. Many times, this type of migration is handled by an information technology (IT) department.
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