Data Migration

What is data migration?

Data migration is the process of moving data from one system to another, typically when changing accounting software, banks, or payroll providers. Migration involves extracting data from the old system, transforming it to fit the new system's format, and loading it correctly. Successful migration preserves data integrity while enabling the new system to function with historical information.

Planning a successful migration

Map data fields between old and new systems before starting. Identify data that will not transfer cleanly and decide how to handle it. Clean up data in the old system first, since garbage in produces garbage out. Test with sample data before full migration. Verify totals match after migration. Plan for a parallel operation period where both systems run simultaneously.

Common migration pitfalls

Underestimating time is the most common mistake. Data is messier than expected. Field mappings are more complex. Verification takes longer. Build a buffer into the timeline. Another pitfall is losing history that seemed unimportant but becomes critical later. Err toward migrating more historical data rather than less. The cost of excess history is low compared to discovering that you need data you discarded.