April 17, 2023 10:30 AM

How to plan and execute a data migration project in Dynamics 365

You have to migrate your data to Dynamics 365 when moving from your on-premises storage system to a cloud-based system or when you need replacement, upgrade, and growth of storage systems and tools. Data migration project in Dynamics 365 is critical for a successful implementation. The Data migration strategy should include general strategic considerations and processes like volumes, tooling, performance, and validations. Your data migration strategy must consist of identifying the roles and responsibilities. Of your team and define how data will be prepared and validated later and which tools to use.

Microsoft Configuration Migration tool

Data migration is the process of extracting the data from the source system, transforming it into the format needed for Dynamics 365, and then loading it into Dynamics 365 and validating the data.

Microsoft provides the Configuration Migration tool to migrate the data in Dynamics 365. Here are the steps you follow:

You choose the fields from where you want to export the data. Make sure there are no duplicate records on the target system by defining a unique condition for each entity based on a combination of fields in the entity, which is used to compare against the values on the target system. If no matching values exist, a unique record is created on the target system. The target system updates the record if a matching form is found.

How to Migrate Data to Dynamics 365?

Planning and Preparing

The Planning and preparation include project timelines, who owns the data, and who will be responsible for all the tasks such as extraction, provision, cleansing, and importing. It's critical to review the type of data and if all the data is needed. Ensure you know how many environments, which ones are included in the Planning, and the tools required.

Data Migration Tools

The tools you use depend on the different approaches and stages, such as copying and synchronizing data between legal entities and copying data between environments. Your team needs to plan, how the data will be extracted, transformed, and loaded into the system. What tools will be used to move, copy, and synchronize the data between legal entities?

Cleaning and Mapping data

It is critical to clean and map the data, review its quality, and check what data needs to be scrubbed. Analyze the source data to see if your current fields are valid.

Data Validation

Data validation is a mandatory process to ensure that migrated data is complete and aligned with the business requirements, such as data quality and data format. The data validation should be documented, with all necessary criteria defined.

Testing

Testing the migrated data is fundamental to the entire data migration process. We must ensure that the testing is thoroughly documented, that unit tests are defined, the results are accounted for errors, and transferred to the following data migration cycles.

As a trusted Microsoft partner and consultant, Web Synergies analyzes your business operating environment and implements the right Microsoft solution to boost your business value. We use Analytical frameworks to evaluate the impact of the factors affecting your company's systems, technology, business process, and environment. With our deep domain expertise, Microsoft consultants engage effectively with our customers to share all the Microsoft offers in designing a winning Dynamics 365 CRM business solution.

How to Plan and Execute a Data Migration Project in Dynamics 365

Data migration is a critical process when transitioning from an on-premises storage system to a cloud-based system or when upgrading, replacing, or scaling storage systems and tools in Dynamics 365. A well-planned and executed data migration project is essential for a successful implementation. In this blog, we will discuss the steps and considerations involved in planning and executing a data migration project in Dynamics 365, along with the tools and best practices for a smooth data migration process.

Planning and Preparation

The first step in any data migration project is careful planning and preparation. This includes defining project timelines, identifying the team responsible for each task, and determining who owns the data. It's crucial to review the type of data that needs to be migrated and assess if all the data is necessary for the new system. Understanding the number of environments involved in the migration and identifying the tools required for the migration process is also important.

Data Migration Tools

There are various tools available for data migration in Dynamics 365, depending on the different approaches and stages of the migration process. These tools enable the extraction, transformation, and loading of data into Dynamics 365. It's essential to plan and choose the right tools for moving, copying, and synchronizing data between legal entities or environments. Your team should carefully assess the data migration requirements and select the appropriate tools accordingly.

Cleaning and Mapping Data

Before migrating data to Dynamics 365, it's crucial to clean and map the data. This involves reviewing the quality of the data and identifying any data that needs to be cleansed or scrubbed. Analyzing the source data to ensure the validity of current fields is also important. Data mapping is the process of aligning the data from the source system to the required format in Dynamics 365. This step ensures that the data is accurately transformed and loaded into the new system.

Data Validation

Data validation is a crucial step in the data migration process. It ensures that the migrated data is complete and aligned with the business requirements, such as data quality and data format. Data validation should be thoroughly documented, with all the necessary criteria defined. This step helps identify and address any data discrepancies or errors, ensuring that the migrated data is accurate and reliable in Dynamics 365.

Testing

Testing the migrated data is a fundamental step in the data migration process. It's important to thoroughly test the data to ensure that it has been accurately migrated and is functioning as expected in Dynamics 365. Unit tests should be defined, and the results should be carefully accounted for, including any errors or discrepancies. This step helps identify and address any issues with the migrated data, ensuring its integrity and reliability in the new system.

Conclusion

As a trusted Microsoft partner and consultant, Web Synergies provides expert analysis of your business operating environment and implements the right Microsoft solution to boost your business value. Our Microsoft consultants use analytical frameworks to evaluate the impact of various factors on your company's systems, technology, business processes, and environment. With our deep domain expertise, we effectively engage with our customers to design a winning Dynamics 365 CRM business solution, utilizing best practices for data migration and ensuring a successful implementation.

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