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