Bad Data Migration is a Common Cause for Failed or Problematic ERP Go-lives

Are you facing challenges with your data migration process? Here are some thoughts from the Fortude Infor M3 experts.

Plan Ahead

Data Migration Planning should be a key project planning activity
Identify the different data sources for the ERP up-front
Nominate Owners for each piece of data
Brief them thoroughly on the Cleansing & Transformation requirements from source system to M3
Assess the volumes of Master and Transactional data to be migrated and the time needed to extract and cleanse them
Plan at least 2 trial data migrations
Plan fall-back / contingency processes for each step
Define Acceptance Criteria and owners for Signoff

Develop and Test your Migration Tools

Use actual data for your testing
Consider Data Type conversions when migrating between different Operating Systems
Load Test you migration tools and scripts
Document the Data Migration Process and data mapping rules
Automate the data transformation where large volumes of data are involved
Time your data migrations to estimate the time needed for the Final Go Live
Freeze your solution : revisit your data migration design if any configuration changes are done
Develop custom templates if required for recording data during system blackout
Clearly define Go-No-Go Criteria for final Go-Live

Execute your Data Migration According to the plan

Proactively reduce business transaction volume during the cutover period
Differing of production / planning of deliveries outside of cutover period
Ensure data accuracy through physical stock takes & advance data cleansing
Migrate Master Data in advance where possible
Ensure sufficient hardware resources are allocated for the migration.
Ensure timely and accurate communication between all stakeholders during the migration
Escalate any exceptions and review Go-No-Go Criteria with all stakeholders
Ensure users are allocated for entering / uploading backlogged (blackout period) transactions
Freeze and Archive the Source and Migrated data

Author:
Niranjan Vaidyakularatne
Vice President – ERP Pre-Sales & Innovation, Infor Services

From insights to thought-leadership

Post-pandemic fashion manufacturing: Essential technology for the manufacturer

In my previous blog series I discussed how fashion companies could adapt to meet the challenges of the new normal. For the most part, I focused on brands, but the same principles apply to fashion manufacturing. In this blog post, let’s focus on how manufacturers can adapt to the new normal by achieving visibility and collaboration with the right software.

Post-pandemic fashion manufacturing: Bridging the East-West divide

Twenty years ago, I started my career at an Asian apparel manufacturer. Tech-packs would come in from big brands from the US and Europe. We would gather in meeting rooms late into the night, deciphering the documents and pulling together a sample as best we could. If the sample was approved, we would confirm delivery dates to the brand six months in advance.

Is moving to the cloud the secret to a more sustainable supply chain?

Corporate sustainability is increasingly becoming a differentiator of business performance and financial success. Not only will sustainability help the planet recover from the harm that has been inflicted by aggressive industrialization, but it will also add value to your brand by attracting eco-conscious customers who demand green products.

Drive growth and digitize your supply chain with marketplace dropshipping

Fashion and luxury brands that have adopted dropshipping and e-commerce marketplaces are geared to capitalizing on the collapse of brick-and-mortar retail. In the new digitally-centered world of e-commerce, these businesses can maximize revenue, increase market share, and offer a seamless customer experience through dropshipping marketplaces. Read more in our latest blog post written in collaboration with Absolutelabs.

The Value of Data Analytics in Fashion eCommerce

The fashion industry is easily one of the biggest players in global eCommerce. Although this giant sector has had its fair share of setbacks following the effects of the pandemic, experts are expecting a stellar recovery in the coming years.

Harmonizing retail after the pandemic

Fashion retailers can maximize sales and increase customer satisfaction by establishing a harmonized retail strategy. Read how selecting the right channels, stock fluidity, adaptable software, and analytics can help in our latest blog post.