Jan 19, 2013

Legacy Data Migration - What, Why & How ?


 This presentation on "SlideShare" by Mr. Arun Parsad gives an overview to the SAP's Accelerated Implementation Methodology (ASAP - Accelerated SAP). The purpose behind sharing such content is to lay emphasis on the migration of legacy data onto SAP or on any other platform. For proving my view point I’ll be using SAP as an example. 

For any enterprise the business objective behind implementing a Business Automation Software (ERP/BI) could be; efficient allocation of resources, transparency, process standardization and optimization, timely provision of intelligence for supporting decision making, or in a nut-shell converting a conventional enterprise into a Real-Time Responsive Enterprise.

The investment and time involved with such decisions demand exceptional results.

Don't get me wrong even without the migration of historical data, the aforesaid results can be achieved but after a certain period (+/- 1 to 2 years) has passed. Migrating historic data only helps in achieving envisaged results from Day One. 

There are software specially designed for moving data from one platform to another; consisting of routine written specially adhering to the new environment.

Is data migration that easy and what are the consequences involved? (A common question arising in every stakeholder/Project Sponsor's mind)

Implementation experts as a norm discourage migration of data due to high risk of system failure. 

The reason behind is the inability to address the structural improvisations of the destination platform (SAP / Oracle / SQL) in which data has to reside. Another reason for discouraging of data migration is data unavailability and in some cases normalization fatigue that is extremely time consuming and costly for an implementation partner. 

A comparatively easy and accurate option for migration is manually entering data onto the new business system. For this services of specialized entities can be procured for migrating legacy record just in time for “Golive” stage.

Now hold on! The term used here was "comparatively easy & accurate"! 

Even manual data entry process has a probability for inaccuracy and false input; which can be countered by deploying Business-Domain Experts in combination with Software Implementation Specialist.

A solution for Database & file replication can be used for replicating a live box and testing the legacy record for accurate forecast and resource planning decision system.

In the competitive business arena where capitalizing on opportunities is second to instinct, In absence of legacy data can we wait for Business Automation Software to yield its true purpose?