Data migration is one of the most demanding phases of implementing a new ERP system. Transferring years of historical data, business relationships, and transactional records requires a careful approach and proven procedures. At Nexora Systems, we have extensive experience with data migration to QI ERP, and in this article we share the key principles of a successful transfer.
Source Data Audit
The first step is a thorough analysis of data in the existing system. We determine the scope of data, its quality, completeness, and interrelationships. Common findings include duplicate records, inconsistent formats, or missing mandatory fields. These issues must be resolved before the actual migration.
Defining Migration Scope
Not all data needs to be transferred. Together with the customer, we define which data areas will be migrated in full (code lists, master data, open orders), which in reduced scope (history for the last two years), and which are not economically justifiable to transfer. This simplifies the process and reduces the risk of errors.
Data Structure Mapping
The key migration document is a mapping table that precisely defines how individual fields from the source system will be converted to QI ERP structures. This step requires close cooperation between Nexora Systems consultants and the customer’s key users, who best understand the meaning and context of the data.
Test Migrations
Before the final transfer, we perform at least two test migrations on a representative data sample. Each test iteration is followed by result verification — we compare record counts, financial data checksums, and randomly verify the correctness of the transfer on specific cases.
Data Cleansing and Transformation
During test migrations, we typically identify data that requires transformation. This may involve unifying phone number formats, normalizing addresses, currency conversions, or consolidating duplicate business partners. We prepare automated scripts for these transformations to ensure consistent processing.
Final Migration Plan
The final migration is scheduled during a window with minimal impact on operations. We prepare a detailed scenario that includes a timeline, responsible persons, checkpoints, and a rollback plan in case of unexpected complications.
Post-Migration Validation
After completing the final migration, we conduct systematic validation. Key users verify data correctness in their respective areas according to pre-prepared checklists. Only after successful validation do we give approval to launch productive operations.
Most Common Mistakes
From our experience, the most common causes of migration problems are underestimated data preparation, insufficient testing, and overly ambitious transfer scope. We recommend transferring fewer data sets with high quality rather than more data with errors. A clean data foundation is a prerequisite for the successful operation of the new system.