Moving all your data from the old platform to SharePoint should be a calculated decision.
It’s a move that raises practical questions: how do you preserve structure, permissions, and metadata during migration? How do you avoid downtime?
This blog takes a clear look at what prompts the switch, where the real challenges lie, and how using a reliable migration tool can save time and reduce the risk.
Why Migrate To SharePoint?
Organizations of all sizes choose SharePoint as their content hub for a few clear reasons:
- For document management and collaboration
- It integrates tightly with Teams, OneDrive, and Power Platform
- It can scale across departments and geographies
- It supports both cloud and hybrid deployment models
The Challenges Of Migrating To SharePoint From Any Platform
No matter where you’re transferring your data from (like Microsoft 365, Livelink, Documentum), migrating into SharePoint could be prone to errors.
Here are some of the most common roadblocks:
1. Structured Content and Metadata Complexity
Legacy ECMs like Documentum and eDocs often use deeply structured libraries with custom metadata. That structure can break easily if not carefully mapped to SharePoint’s architecture.
2. Permission and Access Incompatibilities
SharePoint handles permissions differently than systems like Livelink or Oracle WCI. Without accurate mapping, content can become inaccessible.
3. Internal Links and References
Many enterprise systems include cross-referenced documents and embedded links. These links will break unless automatically translated.
4. Downtime and Disruption
Your teams still need to access files during the migration. Downtime or description could interrupt that access.
How Tzunami Makes SharePoint Migration Fast And Secure
Tzunami is built to handle complex migrations from virtually any ECM or file system into SharePoint and Office 365.
If you’re migrating from:
- OpenText Livelink
- Documentum
- FileNet
- eDocs
- Confluence
- DocuShare
- Lotus Notes
- Oracle WCI
- File shares
- Or even another Office 365 tenant
- See full list here
Tzunami’s tool offers a controlled, secure, and efficient migration into the SharePoint environments.
Check out more for SharePoint Migration.
What Tzunami’s Migration Platform Does Differently
- Native ECM Connectors
Built-in connectors for dozens of systems mean no custom scripting.
- Metadata & Permissions Mapping
Automate the transformation of metadata fields, custom tags, and access controls into their SharePoint equivalents.
Tzunami supports incremental updates, letting your team continue working while content is being migrated in stages.
- Link Redirection
It notes all requests on a specific server (your old source server), and then redirects any requests for an item already transferred to its new location in SharePoint.
Before And After Tzunami Migration
| Feature Area | Before (Legacy ECM / Office 365) | After (Migrated to SharePoint with Tzunami) |
| File Access | Local servers, old UIs | Cloud-based, mobile-accessible |
| Metadata | Custom schemas, inconsistent tags | Standardized and mapped to SharePoint fields |
| Permissions | Siloed or complex | Structured, inherited, and secure |
| Link Integrity | Static or absolute | Updated dynamically for SharePoint use |
Common Migration Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)
1. Skipping Permission Mapping
One of the biggest sources of post-migration issues is broken or missing permissions.
Tzunami Fix: Configurable rule-based automated user and group mapping. So that permissions are preserved exactly, or redefined based on your target structure.
2. Using Generic Tools
One-size-fits-all migration scripts or manual methods don’t account for complex metadata, versioning, or compliance.
Tzunami Fix: Tzunami is purpose-built for ECM to SharePoint migrations, and gives you full control over elements of the move.
What Success Looks Like After Migration
Companies that use Tzunami for their SharePoint migration see:
- Up to 70% reduction in migration time
- Zero business downtime using delta runs
- 100% metadata and permission fidelity
- Improved user adoption with familiar, clean environments
Final Takeaway
Even if you’re migrating from OpenText, Documentum, Livelink, file shares, or even Office 365, your migration to SharePoint can be simple and efficient.
Feeling ready to migrate to SharePoint the right way? Get in touch with Tzunami or book a free demo
FAQs
1. Can Tzunami migrate from non-Microsoft platforms like OpenText or IBM FileNet?
Yes, Tzunami has native connectors for a wide range of non-Microsoft ECMs.
2. Can it preserve folder hierarchy and structure?
Yes. Folder structures, libraries, and even site collections can be replicated in SharePoint.
3. How is metadata handled during migration?
All metadata, standard and custom, can be mapped to existing columns of the existing library or create new columns and a list/library during migration as a source property.
4. What if we need to migrate large volumes (TBs) of data?
Tzunami is optimized for enterprise-scale migrations and includes delta migration capabilities.
5. Do you offer support during the migration?
Yes. Tzunami offers 24/7 support, onboarding assistance, and custom configuration if needed.
