How to Plan a Smooth NetDocuments Migration With Hive

Migrating your document management system (DMS) is one of the most complex and high-stakes projects a law firm can undertake. It’s not just about moving files; it’s about preserving structure, maintaining access, and ensuring continuity for attorneys and staff.

Done poorly, migration can disrupt workflows, erode trust, and create long-term governance issues. But with the right tools and strategy, it can be seamless. Hive’s migration suite, specifically Hive Transfer, Hive Intercept, and Hive Insight, is designed to make that possible.

The Risks of a Bad Migration

Without proper planning and the right tools, DMS migrations can create significant risks for law firms. One of the most common issues is the loss of document metadata. Critical details such as authorship, version history, and dates may be stripped away or misaligned, making it difficult to maintain accurate records. Another challenge comes from broken links in legacy systems. Documents that are referenced in emails, workflows, or case files may suddenly become inaccessible if links are not properly redirected.

In addition, missed folder relationships or permissions can cause confusion for attorneys and staff. Complex folder structures and carefully defined access rules may not carry over during migration, which can result in compliance gaps and security concerns. These problems not only frustrate users but also put legal defensibility and client confidence at risk.

Hive’s Role in a Smooth Migration

Hive provides advanced migration tools that ensure precision and continuity across complex environments. Hive Transfer organizes, maps, and moves content while preserving metadata, folder relationships, and permissions. Hive Intercept redirects legacy links, including NRLs, DRFs, and PC Docs, to their new NetDocuments locations so attorneys never encounter a dead end. Hive Insight monitors usage patterns before and after migration, giving IT and Legal Ops the visibility they need to track adoption and identify potential issues early.

When used together, these tools deliver migrations that are not only technically accurate but also operationally seamless. The process enables legal teams to remain productive while upholding compliance and governance standards.

Use Case

At a midsize law firm, a team of 300 attorneys successfully migrated more than 2 million documents with Hive. The project achieved zero link-loss issues, reached a 90 percent user satisfaction rate, and caused no disruption to daily workflows. Attorneys were able to continue their work without interruptions, IT retained control over governance, and the firm advanced with complete confidence in its new system.

Migrate Without the Mayhem

Your DMS migration doesn’t have to be painful. With Hive, you get a blueprint for success, preserving structure, automating redirects, and keeping users happy.

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