Data migration is an important part of any Salesforce project. In order to ensure that data is transferred successfully and all of the necessary information is in the correct place, it is important to consider data migration early.
Any ongoing business process depends on different types of data for execution. The existing system takes a set of data as input and produces another collection of data as part of the process. While moving from the current state to a future state for a business process implementation, with any type of software, requires a smooth transition of business data from the existing system to the next system. This is highly necessary, not only from the perspective of customer satisfaction but also from the perspective of business continuity. This planning needs to start from the beginning of the project.
Implementing a project in Salesforce is no different from this perspective but the considerations of data migration are very contextual to Salesforce as we can not access the Database directly.
If the planning is done early we can gain a set of advantages that can curtail the overhead of duplicate work, and result in cost reduction and a consistent timeline of implementation. The benefits include:
- Accurate and consistent data
- Estimation of Cost and Time involved in the Data migration
- Identification of what is required to be migrated and, importantly, what is not.
- More stable technical foundation with respect to object structure, business process, and Integration requirements producing a more stable system
- Reduction in the frustrations of multiple to and fro
- A smoother transition to the new system
Data Migration planning needs to be done early in the project in the context of the required best practice of Data Migration in Salesforce.
A first step in planning should include preparation and commitment to a Data Governance Framework. This framework takes into consideration data security, and privacy, and provides greater visibility around the handling of data.
Data Migration planning should also include:
- Identification of what is required and what is not
- Maintaining data quality and identification of storage space
- Document all processes and steps
- Design considerations like object structure and relations, identification of External Ids, order of data migration for the objects, etc.
- Data Mapping
- Use of third-party tools as and when required
- Plan for a small pilot data migration first in a Sandbox
- Documentation of Post-Migration data validation and quality assurance steps
- Taking help from experts who know and follow best practices
By taking these data migration considerations into account early in the project, you can ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible and that your Salesforce project is successful.
Increasingly, more organisations are realising the need for a coherent set of data governance policies and practices in establishing a Data Governance Framework. At DataColada we are committed to helping clients to develop a data governance plan and migration strategy which will work for them.
More on best practices for data migration in Salesforce
About DataColada
DataColada is a values-based professional services organisation delivering digital transformation for compelling customer experiences through the delivery of Salesforce products, managed services, and ISV products on AppExchange.
Our tight and cohesive team shares the goal of delivering successful projects, effective ongoing support, and building products for multiple clients in the non-profit, health, and education sectors and all types of membership organisations.
We take the long-term view and see our relationship with you as a journey, where your organsiation goes through phases to build more and more value over time.
We are a Salesforce Premium Partner 2021 and Nonprofit Cloud Specialist in the Salesforce.org Partner Alliance and proud member of Pledge 1%.
