The King of Data Migration Magic with Jordan (Uytterhagen)

Polaris is a production of Synozur – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease.

In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty speaks with Jordan Uytterhagen, CEO of Cadence Solutions, about the critical role of data migration in the age of AI. They discuss the challenges organizations face when transitioning to modern platforms like Microsoft 365, the importance of information architecture, and the need for effective governance during migration. Jordan shares insights on user behavior, best practices for successful migrations, and the tools Cadence offers to streamline the process. The conversation also touches on future trends in data management and personal reflections on business culture.

Notable Quotes (Jordan Uytterhagen)

“You go from Jetsons technology at home to Flintstones technology at work.”

“Co-authoring is a huge change management win without really needing to do anything.”

“Anyone can get data into SharePoint — the hard part is getting it out of the old system.”

“There are filers and there are pilers, and you can’t make one into the other.”

References

Industry

Forbes – Reference about modernizing legacy data platforms for AI readiness.
CIO Magazine – Article on consolidating outdated systems onto modern platforms to cut costs and complexity.
Gartner – emphasizing that careful planning and risk management in data migrations leads to more successful outcomes.
OpenText – an enterprise content management software suite often used for document and records management.
Kofax – , a software company specializing in document capture, OCR, and automation solutions for digitizing content.

Guest

Jordan Uytterhagen - LinkedIn
Cadence Solutions – the boutique firm founded by Jordan Uytterhagen, focused on data migration and information governance (Microsoft 365 specialist).

Pop culture

The Jetsons – a 1960s animated sitcom set in a futuristic world of advanced technology (shorthand for “modern tech”).
The Flintstones – a 1960s animated sitcom about a Stone Age family (shorthand for “outdated tech”). It was created to be a primetime  Stone Age cartoon based on The Honeymooners with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney.
Shoe Dog – a memoir by Nike co-founder Phil Knight, recounting the scrappy early days and growth of Nike.
The Founder –  a 2016 biographical film starring Micheal Keaton about Ray Kroc and the expansion of the McDonald’s franchise.
Air (2023) – a 2023 film dramatizing Nike’s pursuit of a young Michael Jordan and the creation of the Air Jordan sneaker line starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
Too Big to Fail - a 2009 book by Andrew Ross Sorkin (and later an HBO film) detailing the 2008 financial crisis and the collapse of Wall Street institutions.
The Big Short – a 2015 film (based on Michael Lewis’s book) that portrays a few investors who bet against the 2008 housing bubble and profited from the financial crisis.
American Greed – a CNBC true-crime documentary series that profiles cases of corporate fraud and white-collar crime.
Moneyball – a 2011 film (based on a book) about the Oakland A’s baseball team using data analytics to build a competitive roster on a budget, with Brad Pitt, Chris Pratt and Jonah Hill
War Dogs – a 2016 film based on the true story of two young men who became unlikely arms dealers for the U.S. government, again with Jonah Hill and Miles Teller

Events

M365 Community Days NYC | July 25, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square

Seattle Tech Week |  July 28 - August 1, Seattle WA

TechCon 365 Atlanta | August 11-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center.

FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies - August 26

North American Collaboration Summit | September 7-9 Branson. MO

TribalNet Conference | September 14-18, 2025, Reno Nevada

London Tech Leaders’ Summit | October 7-8., 2025 London UK

Experts Live | October 10, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square

Vancouver AI Summit | October 20, 2025 Vancouver BC

Takeaways

Modernize for AI: True AI readiness begins with a solid data foundation. Jordan explains that moving content from old systems to modern cloud platforms is key before using advanced AI tools. Without accessible data, even the best AI models can’t provide value, so modernization is essential.

Use Your Cloud Investments: Many organizations already pay for Microsoft 365 yet don’t fully use it. Migrating legacy data unlocks built-in features and cuts costs by retiring outdated systems. Jordan shares examples where clients used their E5 licenses more effectively after migration, boosting ROI on existing software.

Immediate Wins (Beyond AI): Migration brings quick benefits beyond future AI. For instance, e-discovery and audit trails improve instantly when data is consolidated, pleasing compliance teams. Co-authoring in SharePoint and OneDrive also boosts collaboration, especially for new hires used to modern tools, helping drive change.

Filers vs. Pilers – Keep Some Structure: People organize in different ways—filers prefer folders, pilers use search. Jordan recommends a light structure with basic folders and metadata for filers, so everyone has a place for their content. This approach avoids overcomplication and supports both search-driven users and governance.

Migration Is More Than Moving Files: Migration involves more than just transferring files; legacy systems often have retention policies, workflows, or integrations. These elements need to be rebuilt in the new system. Jordan stresses that detailed planning is crucial, including what to move first and how to manage processes post-migration.

Choose Partners with Source Expertise: Jordan’s key point is that extracting data from old systems is the hardest part. Pick migration partners familiar with your legacy platform to avoid missing data or complications. His team even built specialized tools for common legacy systems, highlighting the value of source expertise.

Plan, Govern, and Manage Risk: Success means balancing speed with caution. Jordan advises migrating by department or priority, freezing content during cut-over, and scheduling transitions during off-peak times. It's okay to leave behind unnecessary data. Careful planning prevents loss or disruption and ensures the migration finishes on time.

Production

Polaris is produced with the help of our friends at Riverside.fm. Our theme song, “Alternative Dream” is provided courtesy of Adobe.  Additional music and sound provided by IndieGuy Records. Graphic design by Josh Brantley.

Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks.

Chapters

00:00 Introductions

01:09 Terms and Data Points

01:59 Welcome to Jordan Uytterhagen

04:31 The Role of AI in Data Migration

07:26 Understanding Microsoft 365 Benefits

10:20 Migration Strategies and Challenges

12:58 Information Architecture vs. AI

15:49 The Future of Data Migration

17:31 Client Experiences and Lessons Learned

19:48 Tools and Services for Migration

22:56 The Importance of Understanding Legacy Systems

29:32 Cultural Insights and Recommendations

32:45 Upcoming Tech Events Overview

34:35 Wrap-Up and Guest Insights