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Syniti 30.qxd 01-Dec-23 11:06 AM Page 2 MANAGEMENT: DATA MIGRATION FACING MIGRATION ISSUES HEAD ON af KEVIN WILD, HEAD OF PRESALES AT SYNITI, EXPLAINS HOW TO MANAGE COMPLEX DATA MIGRATION IN THE REAL WORLD Data migrations are complex and they can be daunting, especially when it comes to moving large amounts of data across enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. That's not hyperbole, it's a statement borne of experience. I've seen first-hand that there is no such thing as a simple migration and when you add in multiple source systems or multiple targets, complexity ramps up quickly. How do we manage that complexity and get to a stage where the outcome is predictable? Is that even possible in the real world, where we're also managing our day-to-day priorities too? THE CHALLENGES Before we get started, it's important to recognise that no two migrations are the same. Single source to single target migration has its share of challenges. But it's rare to find a large-scale transformation that is a straightforward, single source to single target affair. Instead you're more likely to find multiple source systems or multiple targets, which exponentially increases the complexity. Often, data exists in different formats, meets different standards or, sometimes, may not exist at all. This is a challenge I regularly come across when companies migrate as part of a merger or acquisition But although it is true that each migration is different, the solution is universal. A successful migration relies on preparation and putting in the groundwork. PREPARING FOR MIGRATION To tackle migration complexity head-on, a solid, repeatable methodology is essential. A strategy that not only addresses the challenges at hand but also ensures a predictable outcome. By 'predictable outcome,' I mean a scenario where, on day one after cut-over, the data seamlessly supports the business processes. Anything short of this is a failure. But it won't happen without data 30 STORAGE Nov/Dec 2023 @STMagAndAwards www.storagemagazine.co.uk MAGAZINE
Syniti 30.qxd 01-Dec-23 11:06 AM Page 3 MANAGEMENT: DATA MIGRATION "Single source to single target migration has its share of challenges. But it's rare to find a large-scale transformation that is a straightforward, single source to single target affair. Instead you're more likely to find multiple source systems or multiple targets, which exponentially increases the complexity. Often, data exists in different formats, meets different standards or, sometimes, may not exist at all. But although it is true that each migration is different, the solution is universal. A successful migration relies on preparation and putting in the groundwork." preparation and cleansing: a crucial part of any migration. Many customers tell me that their data only needs light-touch cleansing and preparation. My experience says otherwise. Often-times, these statements are based on gut feeling or blind faith rather than solid fact. Would you be willing to bet millions of dollars on that? That is often what is at stake when migrations fail. I understand that no company has unlimited time and resources, so it's important to think carefully about how you prepare and focus on the activities that will have the most impact. UNDERSTAND YOUR DATA - OBJECTIVELY Poke your data, prod it, manipulate it. Whatever you do, make sure you are walking into your transformation with eyes open. Armed with this understanding, identify the gaps and put a plan in place to address them. Most gaps can be addressed during the migration process but the trickier ones will require time and expertise. Identifying these gaps in advance means you can plan appropriately and make sure activity is completed ahead of the migration - so you don't run out of time and have to compromise on quality. ROBUST REPORTING Establish a reporting process to track how preparation activities are progressing and, more importantly, identify potential delays as early as possible. Everybody gets side tracked at some point and most of the business people involved in the process will also have a day job running at the same time. So take time at the start of the project to put in place performance indicators and alerts to identify potential delays before they snowball into substantial issues. If it looks like progress is stalling, have a contingency plan to make sure data quality remains a priority in the lead up to the migration. JUST ONE THING With every migration, priorities compete and it can be difficult to give everything the focus it needs. But preparation is key, and this is amplified as you start to layer in the additional complexity of multiple systems, large data volumes, or complex processes. So if you do just one thing differently ahead of your next migration, spend time on preparation for a successful, less stressful process. More info: www.syniti.com www.storagemagazine.co.uk @STMagAndAwards Nov/Dec 2023 STORAGE MAGAZINE 31
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