Challenges of Transferring from ShareFile to Google Drive

Facing migration roadblocks? Tackle ShareFile to Google Drive challenges head-on!

Moving data from one cloud to another is not easy. Moving from ShareFile to Google Drive requires a fail-safe plan for the business data involved. Organizations making this move encounter many challenges that impact productivity, data integrity and security.

Differences in file structures, permission models, and data transfer limits can lead to data loss, security risks, and downtime. Knowing these challenges is key to a smooth migration and user adoption.

In this post we’ll cover the common ShareFile to Google Drive migration challenges and how to overcome them.

1. Data Compatibility and Structure Differences

One of the first challenges businesses face is the difference in file structure and compatibility between ShareFile and Google Drive. ShareFile has a hierarchical folder structure with advanced permission settings, Google Drive uses labels and shared drives which can cause mapping inconsistencies during migration.

Solution:

• Review your existing ShareFile folder structure and permissions.
• Use migration tools that have folder structure mapping and permission replication to ensure a smooth transition.

2. Permission and Access Control

ShareFile has role-based permissions, Google Drive has a different sharing model with individual and group-based access. Incorrectly mapping permissions during migration can lead to unauthorized access or loss of critical data restrictions.

ShareFile has multiple user roles and permissions to manage access and control within the platform (Account owner, Admin, Super user etc.). Google Drive has basic access levels (Owner, Editor, Commenter, Viewer, Group-specific roles).

Source: Google drive roles & permissions

Solution:

• Map ShareFile roles to Google Drive’s permissions before migration.
• Use automated migration tools that retain permission settings.

Let’s see how Citrix ShareFile to Google Drive is migrated for all file types and permission levels using the CloudFuze migration tool.

3. Large Data Volume and Bandwidth Constraints

Migrating TBs or PBs of data from ShareFile to Google Drive can take time, especially if there are bandwidth limitations or network interruptions. This can cause delays and bandwidth throttling.

You can migrate up to 750 GB of data per day across My Drive and Shared Drives. But to overcome ShareFile to Google Drive issues, CloudFuze queues the remaining data and resumes the migration the next day.

Solution:

• Migrate in phases.
• Schedule migrations during non-business hours to reduce network congestion.
• Use delta migration to migrate only new and modified files.

4. Metadata and Timestamp Preservation Issues

When moving ShareFile files to Google Drive, you need to preserve metadata like timestamps, version history and user information. Failing to do so can cause compliance issues and loss of historical data references.

Solution:

• Use a migration tool that preserves metadata.
• Run validation checks after migration.
• Preservation of created/Modified timestamps, File version history, User info, Comments and annotations.

Move Files to Google Drive with Full Metadata Retention with CloudFuze

Learn more about preserving timestamps during Google Drive migration.

5. File Format Compatibility and Conversion

ShareFile supports many file types, including proprietary file types. When migrating to Google Drive, some file types will need to be converted which can result in formatting issues or data loss.

Solution:

• Identify file types that are not compatible before migration.
• Use tools that convert file types and preserve data.
• Train employees on Google Drive supported file types and alternatives.

6. Security and Compliance Risks

Data security is a big concern when moving files from ShareFile to Google Drive, especially for organizations that handle sensitive or regulated data. Making sure the migration meets compliance standards is key.

Solution:

• Encrypt data during transfer.
• Use migration services that support compliance for regulations like SOC 2 TYPE 2 and ISO 27001.
• Do a security audit before and after migration.

7. User Adoption and Training

Even after a successful migration, businesses often struggle with user adoption because of unfamiliarity with the Google Drive interface and features.

Solution:

• Offer training sessions on Google Drive usage and best practices.
• Share resources like Google Drive Tips and Tricks to boost productivity.
• Gradually transition with a hybrid storage approach before fully moving to Google Drive.

8. Utilize Enterprise-Grade Migration Tool

Manual migration is time consuming and error prone. Automating the process with a migration tool can save time and reduce data loss risk.

Solution:

• Choose a migration service like CloudFuze that supports ShareFile to Google Drive migration.
• Review migration logs for any issues and fix them ahead of time.

Get Expert Help for a Seamless ShareFile to Google Drive Migration

As a Google Cloud Partner, we provide the most reliable ShareFile to Google Drive migration services, ensuring a seamless transition without data loss or downtime. Our advanced migration solutions help you overcome challenges like permission mismatches, file structure differences, and data transfer limits.

Additionally, we ensure the preservation of metadata, including timestamps, version history, and access controls, so your files remain intact and compliant throughout the migration.

Have questions about migration? Ask us!