As part of an ERP project, the team should document data conversion needs during the current state assessment and when designing the future state processes. Both data and processes must be thoroughly documented and fully understood.
By analyzing the existing processes and data, the team will identify all databases that require conversion. This database documentation then becomes a critical part of the vendor evaluation process, requiring vendors to address it.
Right from the start of the ERP implementation, the project management team, with the support of FAIC Group, must establish a clear plan for migrating the databases to the new system. At this stage, process owners must take responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the data.
The ERP project plan should outline specific tasks and assign appropriate responsibilities. Typically, clients leverage their internal IT teams to prepare the data for conversion, as they are most familiar with the data’s source.
The process owners, in collaboration with IT, are responsible for ensuring the data is correctly converted and cleaned for integration into the new system. Testing phases often highlight challenges related to data conversion.
The project team needs to develop a conversion strategy for the following types of data:
- Static data, such as master records for customers
- Dynamic data, like open purchase orders
- Historical transaction data
