---
title: "The Data Foundation for AI | Shipshape Data"
description: "The core layer under every AI system we build: cloud data warehouse, medallion architecture, and a semantic layer, with data and ML models migrated in cleanly."
canonical: https://shipshapedata.com/services/data-foundation/
language: en-GB
---

# The data foundation

> The core layer under every AI system we build: cloud data warehouse, medallion architecture, and a semantic layer, with data and ML models migrated in cleanly.

Section: Home > Services > The data foundation

Canonical page: https://shipshapedata.com/services/data-foundation/

On this page:

- Why we always start here
- What you get
  - Warehouse and medallion architecture
  - Migration without disruption
  - ML models modernised
  - Governance and lineage
- How we deliver
  - Assess and plan
  - Clean and prepare
  - Migrate and transform
  - Validate and secure
  - Monitor and scale
- Questions we hear most

## Frequently asked questions

### What kinds of data can you migrate?

Structured, semi-structured, and unstructured: databases, files, logs, and documents. We design migration paths for cloud, hybrid, on-prem and multi-cloud environments.

### Is there downtime during migration?

Minimal to none. Most migrations run in parallel with your live systems, with validation checkpoints and checksum verification confirming that data lands complete and consistent.

### Can you move our machine learning models too?

Yes, from traditional ML models to fine-tuned LLMs. Every model is validated before and after the move, so performance is equivalent or better, and typical model migrations complete in 2 to 6 weeks.

### How quickly do we see something usable?

Most clients have usable, structured datasets within 2 to 4 weeks of starting. The full foundation builds out from there in phases, use case by use case.

### What is a medallion architecture?

A way of organising a data platform into layers: bronze holds raw data as it arrives, silver holds it cleaned and validated, and gold holds it modelled for the business. Each layer is governed, so you always know how refined the data you're using is.

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Shipshape Data is a London AI consultancy: we build the data foundation your AI depends on, then the AI on top. Site guide for agents: https://shipshapedata.com/llms.txt | Contact: hello@shipshapedata.com