Why Migrating from On-Prem Security to BluSKY Cloud Involves Virtually Zero Downtime

Build the Entire Cloud Environment Before Cutting Over

Because BluSKY is virtualized and independent of on-prem hardware, you can:

• Create every site in the enterprise
• Configure doors, readers, alarm points, cameras
• Load all personnel records
• Assign access levels and schedules
• Set up visitor and vendor workflows
• Configure video, analytics, and alarm rules
• Establish full identity automation via SCIM or APIs

You essentially pre-build the entire production system in the cloud, without touching any on-prem infrastructure.

Automate All Identity Updates Before Migration

Using SCIM or BluSKY’s API:

• Employee adds, edits, and deletes flow automatically
• Access levels stay synchronized
• Roles and permissions remain up to date

You can run this automation in parallel with your existing on-prem system, guaranteeing a smooth cutover.

Configure All Sites, Devices, and Workflows in Advance

Every site and every device profile can be set up long before migration day:

• Reader configurations
• Controller mappings
• Camera and recorder integrations
• Alarm zones and partitions
• Access groups and schedules
• Analytics and video workflows

By the time you’re ready to migrate, the cloud system already “knows” everything about your configuration.

Migrate Site-by-Site, at Your Pace

Instead of a risky “big bang” conversion, BluSKY lets you transition:

• One site at a time
• As budgets allow
• As facilities are ready
• As operational windows open

This rolling approach minimizes risk and operational disruption.

Minimal Downtime During Hardware Cutover

For most financial institutions:

• Large sites can convert overnight
• Medium sites can convert in a few hours
• Small sites can convert in under an hour

If you’re replacing controllers or head-end hardware, everything has already been pre-configured and tested in BluSKY. You simply:

• Swap the controller
• Point it at BluSKY
• Validate operation against pre-loaded identities
• Bring the site fully online

Because the cloud is ready beforehand, the cutover is primarily a physical action—not a software/configuration effort.

Mercury Hardware Can Be Reused Immediately

If you already use Mercury-based access control:

• You can point existing controllers directly to BluSKY
• They instantly begin receiving cloud-managed updates
• No major hardware replacement is required
• Cutover is extremely fast and low-risk

This dramatically accelerates migration speed and reduces cost.

Dual-System Operation Ensures Zero Disruption

One of the biggest advantages:
You can run your legacy system and BluSKY in parallel.

This means:

• Both systems receive personnel updates
• Both maintain access level changes
• Both reflect identity changes
• Both operate simultaneously until you’re ready to cut over

Parallel operation eliminates downtime risk and allows thorough QA before going live.

Full QA & Testing Before Go-Live

Because BluSKY is ready in advance, your team can:

•  Validate all identities
• Compare cloud permissions with the legacy system
• Test workflows, rules, and automations
• Verify reporting and compliance outputs
• Perform UAT without affecting live operations

You bring a site online only when fully validated and approved.

The Most Straightforward Path to Staying Modern

This migration model ensures:

• Predictable, staged upgrades
• No operational disruption
• Faster modernization across locations
• Consistent configuration across sites
• Continuous cloud updates instead of major upgrades
• Better hardware lifecycle management

BluSKY becomes the institution’s long-term platform—not a one-time upgrade.

Summary: BluSKY Enables a Zero-Downtime, Zero-Risk Cloud Migration

With BluSKY, financial institutions can:

• Build the entire cloud system before migrating
• Sync identities automatically via SCIM or API
• Pre-configure every reader, camera, alarm, and workflow
• Run systems in parallel for as long as needed
• Perform QA ahead of time
• Cut over site-by-site with near-zero downtime
• Reuse existing Mercury hardware for rapid deployment
• Modernize without disrupting branch operations

This is the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective way to transition from legacy on-prem security to a cloud-native, AI-powered platform.