Insights from the "15 Ways of Content Migration to Sitecore" webinar

 Introduction:

On May 20, 2023, I presented webinar on "15 Ways of Content Migration to Sitecore", offering valuable insights and practical strategies for successfully transitioning content to the Sitecore platform.

Understanding the Complexity of Content Migration:

Content migration is a critical phase in any Sitecore implementation project, requiring meticulous planning, strategic decision-making, and a thorough understanding of both the source and target systems. The webinar emphasized the importance of recognizing the complexity involved in content migration and provided attendees with a different way to achieve it.

Exploring 15 Effective Content Migration Strategies:

The core focus of the webinar was to equip participants with a diverse set of strategies and techniques to tackle content migration effectively. I navigated through 15 different approaches, each tailored to address specific scenarios and requirements. From manual content transfer to automated migration tools, attendees gained insights into a wide range of methodologies to streamline the migration process.

Empowering Sitecore Professionals:

The "15 Ways of Content Migration to Sitecore" webinar left attendees feeling empowered and equipped with a wealth of knowledge to tackle content migration projects with confidence.

Here is the YouTube video for the same!!!

How to use Express Migration Tool for Sitecore 9.2

Sitecore Express Migration Tool is used to migrate from version 6.6 to 9.0 initial version. But latest version of Sitecore is 9.2.

Can you export content from any instance of Sitecore 6.6 and onwards to dircetly to Sitecore 9.2?

The answer is YES. Question is how?

So here is the trick!!!

We will use the Sitecore Express Migration Tool itself for this. We will select our needed Source Sitecore version and target Sitecore version as 9.0.0 rev. 171002 and select options to migrate as

• Core database items
• Master database items
• Security

We are ONLY migrating content and NOT the files. So finally you tool screen should looks like

Step 1 : Sitecore Express Migration Tool

Click "Next" button.

This tool migrate items from one database to another database. If we compare CORE and MASTER database of earlier version with Sitecore 9.2 version. Tables number and structure is same. If you think logically, all sitecore versions have "Items" table. So it does not matter which Sitecore version are you using.

Sitecore 9.2 Vs 7.2 Database Tables Comparison

So in step 2 Source section, you can put connection string of your old Sitecore instance details but in "Target" section, you have to specify your Sitecore 9.2 related CORE and MASTER database connection string. Though we are not copying any files but still you should specify Website folder for 9.2. It will be similar to below screen

Step 2 : Sitecore Express Migration Tool

Now you can continue ahead with tool and this migration should be completed successfully.

After completion either Recycle your app pool or restart IIS.

Open your Sitecore 9.2 instance and you should get your all old Sitecore instance items in 9.2 content tree.

I have tested it on my local machine and it works like a charm.

So Happy migration!!!

Content migration guide for Sitecore

Content migration is itself a project within a project and luckily I was extensively involved on different projects where content migration is one of the most important story of the project.

In one of the Sitecore project, I developed lots of scripts to migrate over 500,000 records from different sources to Sitecore.

During these migration, I come across with different situations and found some most suitable way to deal with.

I tried to cover all such technics in this guide. Below are the key topics that I want to emphasized

• Introduction
• Questions for client
• Data Mapping
• Data Representation and Mapping
• Source of Data
• Data Migration Map
• Why SQL Server
• Guidelines for content migration resources and team
• Images and Media
• SITECORE ITEMS
• Sitecore Fields
• Migration Code
• Log Files
• Code Technique
• Testing

I tried my best to include all the scenarios that are associated with content migration.

You can read and download this white paper from here:

Please leave your comments or share this guide if it’s useful for you.