Switching systems means moving years of data. Here's a sane way to plan a migration: clean first, test with a sample, and keep a way back.
New software is exciting. Getting your old data into it is where projects get stuck. Duplicates, missing fields and ten years of inconsistent spelling all come with you, unless you deal with them on the way.
Not everything deserves a seat in the new system. Active customers and open jobs, yes. Fifteen-year-old quotes might be better archived. Check whether you must keep certain records for legal or tax reasons.
Merge duplicates, standardise formats (dates, phone numbers, postcodes), and fill gaps that matter. It's far cheaper to tidy a spreadsheet than to fix a live database.
Write down where each old field lands in the new system, and what happens to the ones with no home. This mapping document is the heart of the project.
Import a small batch and have the people who know the data check it. Then do a full dry run. Compare counts and spot-check records before anything goes live.
Pick a quiet time, freeze changes in the old system, migrate, verify, and keep the old data read-only for a while in case something turns up. If you're moving off spreadsheets, see when to build an internal tool.
We can plan and run the migration so your data arrives intact.
Start a conversation →It depends on volume and mess. Cleaning and mapping usually take more time than the actual transfer.
Usually, with a short freeze at cutover. Plan it for a quiet period.
Keep it secure in transit, limit who can access exports, and delete temporary copies once finished.
