SharePoint · Migration · Case Study
SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2019 Migration
How Iqra Technology upgraded a Dubai-based investment management company's SharePoint environment — migrating content, Nintex Forms and Workflows, and SQL Server databases to a modern, multi-tier architecture with zero critical data loss.
Client Overview
A Dubai-based diversified investment management company with stakes across Technology, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Chemicals, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Consumer Services, supported by strategic operations at an international level.
Industry Details
IndustryInvestment Management
RegionUAE
Timeline5 Months
TechnologySharePoint 2013 → 2019
Employee Size1,001 – 5,000 Employees
Company ScaleLarge Enterprise
Project Overview
Iqra Technology executed a comprehensive enterprise migration from SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2019 for a large, Dubai-based investment management company. The project covered SharePoint content migration using ShareGate, migration and validation of Nintex Forms and Workflows, migration of SQL Server databases to new infrastructure, and full preservation of SharePoint security, permissions, and business process automations — all delivered with zero critical data loss.
Client Requirements
- Upgrade the existing SharePoint 2013 environment to SharePoint 2019 for improved performance, security, and long-term support.
- Migrate all SharePoint sites, site collections, document libraries, lists, pages, and content without data loss.
- Preserve SharePoint permissions, security groups, metadata, document version history, and site structure during migration.
- Migrate and validate all Nintex Forms and Nintex Workflows to ensure uninterrupted business processes.
- Migrate SQL Server databases, tables, stored procedures, views, and related database objects to new SQL servers.
- Minimize business downtime and ensure seamless access for end users throughout the migration.
- Upgrade the SharePoint infrastructure from a single-tier to a multi-tier architecture for improved scalability and reliability.
- Perform comprehensive post-migration validation, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and production support to ensure all business applications functioned correctly.
Technologies Used
SharePoint 2013
SharePoint 2019
ShareGate Migration Tool
Nintex Forms
Nintex Workflows
SharePoint Security & Permissions
SQL Server
IIS
Windows Server
Challenges & Solutions
Problem 1
Maintaining data consistency across SharePoint and SQL Server during migration, with dependent applications and workflows spanning both systems.
Solution
Planned a phased migration with database backups, integrity validation, and application testing at each stage to keep both environments consistent.
Problem 2
Ensuring SQL-dependent applications continued to function correctly after the database environment was moved to new infrastructure.
Solution
Migrated databases, tables, stored procedures, and views to new SQL servers, updated connection strings and application configurations, and validated all integrations end-to-end.
Problem 3
Preserving SharePoint content, permissions, and metadata across thousands of sites, libraries, and lists without disrupting user access.
Solution
Used ShareGate to migrate content while retaining versions, permissions, and metadata, with permission inheritance and security groups fully preserved.
Problem 4
Maintaining Nintex-driven business processes after the platform upgrade, where forms and workflows are business-critical.
Solution
Validated and reconfigured Nintex Forms and Workflows where required, followed by end-to-end testing to confirm every business process ran correctly on SharePoint 2019.
Measurable Results
100%
Successful Content Migration
All sites, site collections, libraries, lists, permissions, metadata, and version history migrated intact.
95%
Reduction in Manual Effort
ShareGate's automated migration capabilities cut manual work significantly.
99%
Migration Accuracy
Achieved through comprehensive pre- and post-migration validation.
90%
Reduction in Business Downtime
Delivered through phased migration and a planned production cutover.
100%
Nintex Forms & Workflows Migrated
Fully migrated and validated with no disruption to business processes.
100%
SQL Database Migration
Databases, tables, stored procedures, and views moved to the new SQL Server environment.
30-40%
SharePoint Performance Gain
Driven by the new multi-tier architecture and upgraded infrastructure.
80%
Faster Post-Migration Validation
Achieved through structured migration and verification processes.
Implementation Highlights
- Migrated SharePoint sites, lists, libraries, pages, permissions, and metadata using ShareGate.
- Migrated SQL Server databases to new database servers.
- Migrated SQL tables, stored procedures, views, and supporting database objects.
- Updated database connections and application configurations to point to the new SQL environment.
- Migrated and validated Nintex Forms and Nintex Workflows.
- Preserved SharePoint permissions, groups, and security inheritance.
- Performed comprehensive testing, UAT, and post-migration validation to ensure application functionality.
- Achieved zero critical data loss throughout the migration process.
What Our Clients Say
Verified reviews from Clutch.co — rated 4.7/5 across 8 client engagements.
★★★★★
"What stood out most about Iqra Technology was their genuine commitment to delivering quality work and their proactive approach throughout the project. It felt like working with a partner rather than just a vendor."
★★★★★
"Working with Iqra Technology was an excellent experience. They understood our requirements clearly, built the workflow, and completed the ERP integration smoothly. The end result has streamlined our operations considerably."
★★★★★
"The developer integrated seamlessly into our project, delivering high-quality dashboards that improved decision-making for our clients."
FAQs
SharePoint 2013 has reached end of extended support, so upgrading to SharePoint 2019 gives organizations better performance, stronger security, modern features, and continued vendor support.
Yes. Using tools like ShareGate, sites, libraries, lists, permissions, metadata, and version history can all be migrated intact, with validation performed before and after migration.
Nintex Forms and Workflows are migrated alongside SharePoint content and validated on the new environment, with reconfiguration applied where needed so business processes continue running without interruption.
Often, yes. When applications depend on SQL Server databases, tables, stored procedures, and views, these are migrated to new SQL servers and connection strings are updated so dependent applications keep working correctly.
A phased migration approach, with database backups, staged content moves, and a planned production cutover, keeps end-user access largely uninterrupted throughout the process.
Yes. Permissions, security groups, and permission inheritance are carried over during migration so user access remains exactly as it was before the upgrade.
Timelines vary with content volume and complexity, but a large enterprise migration covering content, Nintex, and SQL Server typically takes around 4-6 months from planning through post-migration validation.
Post-migration validation includes content and permission checks, Nintex form and workflow testing, application integration testing, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) before the environment is signed off for production use.
A single-tier setup runs web, application, and database roles on limited servers, while a multi-tier architecture separates these roles across dedicated servers, improving scalability, reliability, and the ability to handle growing load.
ShareGate is commonly used to migrate sites, libraries, lists, permissions, and metadata efficiently, while custom scripts and SQL tools handle database-level migration tasks.
Some downtime is usually required for the final production cutover, but a phased migration approach keeps it to a minimum and it is scheduled during low-impact business hours.
Yes. Custom applications, integrations, and their supporting database objects can be migrated and reconfigured for the new environment, followed by integration testing to confirm they work as expected.
Remaining on an unsupported SharePoint version means missing security patches, reduced performance, compatibility issues with newer tools, and eventual loss of vendor support.
Document version history is preserved during migration using tools like ShareGate, so the full audit trail of changes remains available after the upgrade.
Since the core SharePoint experience remains familiar, most users need little to no retraining, though a short walkthrough of any new features or interface changes is usually helpful.
You can reach out to Iqra Technology via iqratechnology.com/contact-us or visit the SharePoint Services page to discuss your migration requirements with our team.
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