Data processing agreements: what changes when you switch vendors
Switching location data vendors is not only a technical decision. Here is what to review on the data processing and privacy side of the move.
Tag
#migration-planning
Retiring old API keys safely after a migration
Turning off an old provider's API key too early or too late both carry risk. Here is how to retire credentials properly once a migration is complete.
Your first week after migrating: what to watch
The first week after a provider migration is when subtle issues actually surface. Here is what to monitor closely during that window.
Rate limit differences to expect when you switch providers
Rate limits vary in structure, not just in number, across providers. Here is what to check before assuming your current logic still applies.
Handling response schema differences during a migration
Even a well-matched replacement provider will differ from the original in small schema details. Here is how to find and handle those differences properly.
Warning signs you are locked into a proprietary format
Vendor lock-in around a geocoding response format creeps in gradually. Here are the specific warning signs worth watching for.
Updating client libraries and SDKs during a migration
A migration is not just a backend change if your application relies on a provider's official client library. Here is how to handle that layer.
Re-mapping cached results after a provider switch
Cached geocoding results from an old provider do not automatically translate to a new one. Here is how to handle that cache correctly during a migration.
What a provider's notice period means for your migration
A shutdown or deprecation notice sets your migration's real deadline. Here is how to use that notice period well instead of losing it to indecision.
Estimating your real quota needs before you switch
Guessing at request volume before a migration leads to either overpaying or hitting limits unexpectedly. Here is how to estimate it properly.
Planning a rollback before you migrate anything
A migration plan without a rollback plan is only half finished. Here is what a real rollback plan for a location data provider switch looks like.
Mapping error codes between providers before you switch
Error handling code is often the most overlooked part of a provider migration. Here is how to map error codes properly before cutting over.
What relying on a single small provider teaches about vendor risk
Depending on one small provider for location data works fine until it does not. Here is what that risk actually looks like and how to reduce it.