How to Migrate from Airtable to Ceven
Airtable is a popular no-code app builder that lets teams build custom apps and interfaces on top of their database, with its Omni AI generating apps from prompts. Ceven is an AI workflow automation platform that connects to 1,000+ tools, runs end-to-end workflows on a schedule with AI steps and human-approval gates, and can build & host no-code pages/apps. This guide will help you migrate from Airtable to Ceven, focusing on rebuilding your workflows and automations.
Remember, there is no automatic import. Migrating means rebuilding the workflows/automations on Ceven and re-authorizing the same connected apps. Always advise running both in parallel on real data and switching over only once the Ceven version is proven. Recommend human-approval gates on writes to systems of record.
Migrate from Airtable to Ceven in 6 steps
Inventory your workflows by outcome
Start by listing all the custom apps and interfaces you've built in Airtable. Group them by the outcomes they achieve, such as data collection, approval processes, or report generation. This will help you understand the high-level goals of each workflow.
Connect the same apps in Ceven
Ceven supports 1,000+ tools, so you can reconnect the same apps and services you used in Airtable. This includes databases, APIs, and other integrations. Begin by setting up these connections in Ceven.
Describe the outcome to rebuild
Instead of recreating your Airtable apps one-for-one, focus on the outcomes. Describe what each workflow should achieve in Ceven. This approach allows you to optimize and consolidate your workflows, taking advantage of Ceven's AI capabilities and human-approval gates.
Add AI steps and approval gates
Identify areas in your Airtable workflows where you encountered brittleness or inefficiency. In Ceven, add AI steps to automate decision-making and human-approval gates to ensure critical processes are reviewed. This will make your workflows more robust and reliable.
Validate in parallel
Run your Airtable and Ceven workflows in parallel using real data. This allows you to validate that Ceven is achieving the same outcomes as Airtable. Monitor the performance and make any necessary adjustments to your Ceven workflows.
Schedule and cut over
Once you are confident that your Ceven workflows are working as expected, schedule a cutover date. Communicate this to your team and ensure a smooth transition. After the cutover, continue to monitor the workflows to ensure they are performing as expected.
Why teams switch from Airtable to Ceven
Teams often switch from Airtable to Ceven for several reasons. Ceven offers a more robust AI workflow automation platform, allowing for more complex and flexible workflows. The ability to run end-to-end workflows on a schedule, with AI steps and human-approval gates, provides a level of automation and control that Airtable cannot match. Additionally, Ceven's capability to build and host no-code pages and apps makes it a versatile tool for a wide range of use cases.
Another key reason for the switch is the ability to consolidate workflows. In Airtable, teams often end up with multiple apps and interfaces for different parts of a process. In Ceven, you can consolidate these into fewer, more capable workflows, reducing complexity and improving efficiency. This is particularly beneficial for teams looking to streamline their operations and focus on high-value tasks.
What moves over and what doesn't
When migrating from Airtable to Ceven, it's important to understand what moves over and what doesn't. Your data and the high-level outcomes of your workflows will move over, but the specific apps and interfaces you built in Airtable will need to be rebuilt in Ceven. This is an opportunity to optimize and consolidate your workflows, taking advantage of Ceven's capabilities.
Airtable's Omni AI-generated apps and interfaces will not automatically move to Ceven. You will need to describe the outcomes of these apps and interfaces in Ceven and rebuild them using Ceven's tools. This process allows you to refine and improve your workflows, making them more efficient and effective. Additionally, any custom scripts or integrations you have in Airtable will need to be recreated in Ceven.
Avoiding the common pitfalls
One of the most common pitfalls when migrating from Airtable to Ceven is trying to recreate your Airtable apps one-for-one in Ceven. Instead, focus on the outcomes and rebuild the workflows in a way that takes advantage of Ceven's capabilities. This approach will help you optimize and consolidate your workflows, making them more efficient and effective.
Another common pitfall is not running the workflows in parallel. It's crucial to run your Airtable and Ceven workflows side by side using real data. This allows you to validate that Ceven is achieving the same outcomes as Airtable and make any necessary adjustments. Additionally, ensure that you have human-approval gates in place for critical processes to maintain data integrity and reliability.
Frequently asked
Can Ceven automatically import my Airtable workflows?
No, Ceven does not support automatic import of Airtable workflows. Migrating means rebuilding the workflows/automations on Ceven and re-authorizing the same connected apps. This process usually results in fewer, more capable workflows, as you can consolidate and optimize your processes.
How long does the migration process take?
The duration of the migration process depends on the complexity and number of workflows you have in Airtable. It's best to allocate enough time for inventorying, rebuilding, validating, and optimizing your workflows in Ceven. Running both systems in parallel ensures a smooth transition and allows for thorough testing.
What kind of support does Ceven offer during the migration process?
Ceven provides comprehensive support during the migration process. Their team can guide you through inventorying your workflows, connecting apps, and rebuilding your automations. They also offer best practices for optimizing your workflows and ensuring a smooth transition. Additionally, Ceven's documentation and community resources can be invaluable during the migration process.