ERP Upgrades and Data Migration

For companies running on legacy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, updating is always a potential reality.

At one point, an owner must realize that their solution is no longer keeping pace. The realities of business are increasingly shifting, making operations a hassle. In some cases, the selection is archaic and unable to be managed effectively.

By transitioning their ERP, many want to simplify their existing processes and create a better working environment. The result could be a newly structured and organized system for their ever-evolving needs. In this development, keeping older information and migrating it becomes a pressing concern.

With data migration, one will be able to maintain older documentation within a new program. Yet how can a company create a successful data migration without causing too much internal disruption?

1) Remove excess waste

Many firms think it will be easy and simple to transfer all their existing data into a new system. They want every scrap of information from the company’s history in the upgraded ERP, even data dating back from previous decades. However, you and your ERP partner should set some caveats to what data is transferred to the new ERP. Transferring everything over to an upgraded program can be cumbersome and add little benefit to your current operations. In the end, a complete data transfer can cause unnecessary stress as your organization gets buried in reams of information.

The best option is to set strict parameters while bringing over items between systems. Junking obsolete and duplicate pieces of data can avoid entanglements and prevent your team from becoming overwhelmed. Setting these limitations for data transfer also reduces the complexity of your project and its associated costs and risks.

It may feel stressful to think about narrowing down your data parameters for the upgrade. The right ERP partner, however, can take this stress off your shoulders. At Datix, we take a business-first approach with our clients, meaning that we focus on understanding their organization and what makes them successful. Because of this, our team can recommend the proper data transfer parameters and strategy for your firm, instead of making you do all the work alone. Learn more about an ERP implementation with Datix.

2) Compatibility between ERP systems

With any piece of technology, the newest version will change existing options for the sake of improvement. The upgraded ERP should be better than the outdated one, but its improvements mean that the new system may struggle to be compatible with the older version.

Frequently moving to an upgraded ERP means that your ERP partner will need to do heavy reconfiguring to bring over existing data, rather than an automatic procedure. Some pieces must be modified to bring over key data, so cost is an important consideration when planning the data migration. The more shifts being made to bring over data, the higher the price tag on the project.

The more data one wishes to export, the more likely there’s potential for complications. As a result, businesses must consider whether they want to increase the risk of migration errors. In this, preventing such problems from developing comes down to transferring necessary data and keeping archival information separate.

Selecting an ERP partner who can handle the reconfiguration is important for price as well because an inexperienced consultant will bill you for the time it takes to fix their mistakes. At Datix, we are a one-stop shop with 25 years’ experience with ERP implementations, so our team knows how to handle even the most complex ERP upgrades. We recommend the right solution for our clients’ specific challenges, rather than taking the same strategy with everyone. Discover what it means to work with a one-stop shop.

3) Have the best plan, partner, and tools available

When selecting a partner for an ERP upgrade, it’s important to find one willing to be direct. Some resellers ignore certain situations and neglect to mention the possibility of future errors down the road. Unfortunately, issues tend to plague the entire procedure when the “expert” involved isn’t willing to address obstacles openly.

Fortunately, the right ERP partner will be able to identify potential migration issues before you begin the transfer process and suggest the right tools to make the implementation easier. This helps prevent cost overruns and minimizes your business risk.

Overall, it is key to plan out the implementation thoroughly and organize everything before migrating data to the next system. Such a concept is relatively simple yet carries far more weight than expected. A true ERP partner will support you every step of the way during your ERP upgrade. The team at Datix works with our clients from the planning to the implementation and beyond to ensure that they receive the best solution possible.

Wrap Up

Rather than getting buried in data, a superior solution is possible within the limits you and your ERP partner set. Upgrading a solution doesn’t have to be challenging for your firm. By having the best tools in place, migrating your data can become the easiest possible task for your business’s future.

Organizing and using data the right way is still critical to running a business. Learn the Six Steps to Becoming a Data-Driven Organization.

About Datix

With over two decades in the industry, Datix is the ERP consultant of choice for manufacturers and distributors. We believe in “being the best with the best” and look for partners who match our commitment to solving real issues and doing what it takes. Our in-depth analysis of our clients and their business needs allows us to maximize their software investments to the fullest.

Learn More About Our Mission to Our Clients