7 key areas to think about when migrating your OTT service

Migrating OTT services to a cloud-based SaaS platform is a growing trend, with over 65% of businesses adopting these solutions to drive agility, reduce costs, and improve time-to-market. Unlike traditional setups that require heavy custom development and manual maintenance, SaaS platforms offer a streamlined, vendor-managed ecosystem.

So what does OTT streaming service migration to a new platform mean in terms of effort? When planning your migration, consider these seven areas to focus on. 

1. Videos and metadata

Your video library is the core of your service, so it’s vital to avoid disruption during the migration process - your new provider should assist you in ensuring a smooth transition. Some things to be aware of: 

• Check with your new provider if re-transcoding of content is needed.  
• Verify that metadata has been transferred correctly, and check for gaps.  
• Make sure that DRM systems are compatible and properly licensed. 

2. User data migration

Transferring user data requires careful handling of login credentials, entitlements, and user preferences - your provider will typically help with the secure migration of login information. 

If passwords cannot be migrated, you need to create a clear communication plan to guide users through a password reset process - such as via an email campaign before launch. 

3. Design and user interface

Service migration is your opportunity to refresh your service’s look and feel. Your new platform's app management tools will allow you to configure brand elements like color schemes, logos, and typography. 

Some platforms, such as Accedo One, may offer options for custom design, allowing you to work with a design team to define and realize your vision.

4. Personalization features

If you are switching recommendation providers, your new app provider can help migrate historical data to ensure a smooth transition in personalized content delivery. 

Even if a full data migration isn’t possible, the system will quickly adjust post-launch. It’s important to ensure your new recommendation engine is properly trained after the migration.

5. Security and compliance

Data security and compliance are non-negotiable - ensure that your migration adheres to all relevant data protection regulations like GDPR and CCPA. It is essential to securely handle sensitive data during the migration process, implementing encryption and security measures. 

You should also review and update your terms of service and privacy policies as needed.

6. App transition and testing

Thorough end-to-end testing is an important step before launch. During this stage you have the opportunity to discover unexpected behaviour, clarify and adjust feature settings, and fix any issues prior to launch.  

Make sure you run comprehensive tests on all functionalities, including user logins, video playback, and subscriptions, with enough time to resolve any issues.

7. Customer communication and support

Engaging your customers throughout the migration process is essential. This is your chance to build excitement by highlighting new features and performance enhancements. 

Offering a detailed FAQ or help documentation and setting up dedicated support channels for the migration period can also be very helpful.

Interested in learning more about the steps needed to achieve a smooth migration? Download our full, free Platform Migration guide by clicking the button below. 

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