Data Migration

Hi All,

Today we will discuss on an important area in any implementation, which is migration of data in to
Oracle Applications Database. First data migration means moving of data from one place to another.
Moving of data does not mean a mere copy paste work, it means moving of clean data (uncorrupted) in
to proper database tables.

Which data is going to be migrated?

When we are going to implement a new ERP like Oracle Financials, setups are carried out based on the
current business processes and policies, after setting up, we need access to past data in the application.

Why we need access to past data?

It may be a statutory requirement or companies requirement. Apart from which, it could be a normal
business requirement. Assume that you have customer who bought goods or services from you on
March 2007 and he need to pay you 1000 USD by end of June 2007. And if we have implemented Oracle
Applications by May 2007, without past data, we will certainly loose the track of that customer, since the
new system will not say that how much needs to be received due to previous transactions. So in order to
account for Outstandings and Accruals one need to have access to past data. Apart from that , your
opening balances are a resultant figure of past data.

At which stage of the pro1ect this data migration will come in to picture?

It happens before GO LIVE or one could say after User Acceptance Testing.

Who has to decide on what data should be migrated?

It is the client who needs to decide what are the data that needs to be migrated since he is the one who
is going to access it. Client must also decide on how many years of data needs to be migrated. Assume
that if a company is doing manual accounting for 20 years and now they are moving in to Oracle Apps,
they need to decide whether they want access to all 20years of data or they can decide a cutoff date
beyond which all data will be migrated.

How data will be migrated?

Depending on the volume of the data, the consultant will decide on the suitable methodology. He can go
in for data load or SQL scripts.
How data will be presented?

Client must provide the consultant will the data in the prescribed format. It is the responsibility of the
client to authenticate the data which he gives to the consultant for migration, consultant is more
interested on how to move the data in to Applications, he is not expected to audit the data which you
are giving. So client must take effort to provide a Clean data.

How it will be ensured, that data migration is successful ?

After data migration, enough testing will be carried out to find the accuracy and completeness. After
migrating data, reports will be drawn out of the Oracle Applications system and matched with the
existing figures based on the current system followed by the client. Only after 100% satisfaction, of both
the client and the consultant, data migration will come to an end.

How long this data migration will take to get complete?

It depends on the volume of data, if its going to be a newly started company the volume of data will be
less, hence migration may take only months, whereas for companies wanting years of data to be
migrated, requires years including testing.

Who will migrate the data?

Normally it will be a role of a Technical Consultant, if the data is very less, then a Functional consultant
can perform it by using data load. Also it can be outsourced to any other firm apart from the consulting
company which implements oracle apps. 4here will be many companies which speciali9e in this area
alone, one can make use of them to perform this Job.

What is CRP? When do we go for it? and What kind of document we prepare for it? What is the
difference between CRP1, CRP2 and CRP3?

CRP Stands for Conference Room Piloting

The CRP Sessions are conducted to transform Oracle Applications knowledge to the customer before
conducting UAT (User Acceptance Test) and End User Training

The No. of CRP you need to have and when it needs to be conducted depends on Client Industry, Size of
Implementation and client knowledge in general about ERP applications.

I have implemented ERP solutions where customer migrate from one ERP to another. In those cases two
CRP sessions are enough.

If client does not have an idea about ERP, then it is better to have it three
CRP 1- Generally it is conducted at initial phase after you finish RD010 and RD020 - Basically to provide
an overview of Oracle ERP after understanding client Business

CRP2- Conducted after BP080 (Future Business Model) – Configure the system as per client Future
Business Model and Demonstrate. This will help you to identify the client expectation and prepare BR010
Gap Analysis Document

CRP3: Develop workaround or customization for the Gaps identified in the CRP2 and fix them and
demonstrate a full-fledged solution suitable to client Business