For all businesses, data is key. It’s one of the most important assets you have, and likely to be high on your list of concerns when considering moving your legacy ERP to Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations (Dynamics 365 F&O).
Data migration, the process of transferring your valuable information to your new system, can be a smooth and secure experience with the right plan and partners: in this blog, we discuss how you can best prepare your business to undergo data migration when the time comes.
Data on the move: what is data migration?
Think of data migration as meticulously moving your critical business information from your current ERP system to Dynamics 365. This involves identifying, extracting, transforming, and loading your data while ensuring historical records are cleansed and archived properly.
The data dilemma: why a flawless migration is key to your Dynamics 365 transformation?
Done right, data migration sets the foundation for a successful Dynamics 365 implementation. But done wrong, it can lead to:
- Delays and budget overruns: Stuck data means stalled progress and exceeded costs.
- Data inconsistencies and errors: Inaccurate information can lead to poor decision-making.
- Compliance issues: Mishandled data might raise regulatory concerns.
Good Practice: your guide to a seamless migration
You should be equipped with robust best practices for data migration. Consider these key takeaways:
- Strategic data selection: Focus on migrating essential, active data for current operations. Leave historical data securely archived in your legacy system.
- Embrace the Dynamics Data Management Framework (DMF): This powerful tool streamlines data transformation and loading, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
- A phased approach is key: Break down the migration into manageable phases, each with thorough testing and validation to minimise risks.
- Clean data is golden: Ensure your data is clean and consistent before migration to avoid errors and inconsistencies in your new system. At Inciper, we stress that removing the data you don’t need is one of the most important things to do before migrating data into your new Dynamics 365 solution. This refers to cleansing your historical data, and deciding which data can be removed completely, which can be archived and which needs to be moved into the new system.
Historical data refers to everything in your legacy system that is not required to be moved into Dynamics 365, including:
- Inactive customers and vendors, old item master data, unused bill of materials are just a few examples
- Transactions, journals or (purchase, sales, work, transfer) orders that are now closed
- Documents such as invoices or confirmations related to these closed orders
- Documentation is your friend: Meticulously document your data migration process and data mappings for future reference and audit purposes. Also, consider reviewing your business processes document to align them with Dynamics 365's optimised standards.
- Partner with experts: Don't do it alone. Seek guidance from experienced Microsoft partners like Inciper, who understand the nuances of data migration and Dynamics 365.
Inciper: your trusted partner for a secure and efficient data migration
At Inciper, we go beyond just tools and techniques. We leverage our deep understanding of Microsoft's good practices and combine them with our proven hybrid approach:
- Discovery: We collaborate closely with you to understand your specific business needs and data landscape, ensuring a tailored migration plan. At each stage of the process, you have visibility of your data.
- Build & Refine: We work with you to meticulously extract, transform, and load your data using DMF and other cutting-edge tools through multiple iterations. Each step is thoroughly tested and refined for accuracy and completeness. You can complete your final iteration confident that your migrated data is fit for purpose
- Secure Release: The final migration occurs after thorough testing and validation, minimising downtime and ensuring data integrity.
Beyond data migration: your holistic Dynamics 365 journey
Data migration is just the beginning of your Dynamics 365 transformation. Inciper offers a comprehensive approach:
- Pre-upgrade checklist: Download our guide for a smooth and well-prepared transition.
- Ongoing support and training: We empower your team to maximise user adoption and value realisation.
- Future-proofed solutions: We design your migration with scalability and future growth in mind.
Ready to ensure a smooth and secure data migration to Dynamics 365? Contact Inciper today to speak with our experts and learn how we can support your Dynamics 365 transformation. Let’s work together to unlock your business’s full potential with a tailored migration plan and ongoing support.
