Data migration is the one-time or ongoing movement of data from one system to another. It is common for companies to undergo a CRM data migration process but often times this is easier said than done. It is crucial that you understand the complexity of the data you are trying to migrate and the limitations imposed by your source and destination CRM.
Careful planning is essential for ensuring that this process is smooth and secure. We have already covered the 6 mistakes to avoid during data migration. Now, to help you choose the right tools for the job and to minimize the chances of data loss, we present three data migration tools that make switching CRM platforms a breeze.
Native Import Tool
The simplest way to migrate data to your CRM would be to use its native built import tool. Most CRMs allow you to export their data in the form of a .csv file. Before migration, some manual data manipulation of the .csv file may be required at your end but some developers, like Salesforce Certified Developers, do provide you with a data template to help you get started. After the scrubbing process, importing data such as Accounts, Leads, Contacts, and Opportunities can be done in a matter of clicks through the import tool. SugarCRM import tool also comes with an Automap feature which really simplifies the creation and updating of records. It can also help you map simple one-to-many relationships to Sugar but for more complex relationships you would need a more comprehensive solution. The exact functionalities and availability of the native import tool would vary from CRM to CRM. Moreover, you can also take advantage of data backup in SugarCRM.
Pentaho Data Integration
Pentaho Data Integration (PDI) is Pentaho’s solution to Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) processes and is the most popular open source tool available. It is very easy to use as every process is created with a graphical tool where you can specify what to do without having to write a single line of code. PDI supports a wide variety of input and output formats, including text files, data sheets, and commercial and free database engines. Moreover, the transformation capabilities of PDI allow you to manipulate data with very few limitations. It also sports a whole host of secondary functions that add great value to the data migration experience. These include:
- Migrating data between applications or databases
- Exporting data from databases to flat files
- Loading data massively into databases
- Data Cleansing
- Integrating applications
Talend Open Studio
Talend Open Studio for Data Integration comes with a host of productivity-enhancing features that let you efficiently design and execute data migration projects. Its key features include:
- An integrated graphical development environment with extensive drag-and-drop functionality, robust modeling and job management tools, and a unified repository that facilitates the efficient reuse of components across projects.
- The largest set of data connectors of any integration software in the market. More than 400 connectors allow for easy bridging of data sources and targets of all types.
- Rich built-in functionality for data cleaning and transformation, enabling you to move your data to the right form as well as the right place.
The Bottom Line!
Choosing the right tool depends on your unique needs and preferences. If you are just importing modules like Accounts and Contacts or Leads, the native Import Wizard in your CRM may suffice. If a native tool is unavailable or your data is more complex, a more comprehensive third-party solution like those from Pentaho or Talend will fare better. However, if you face database restrictions or even greater data complexities, you might require the services of skilled back-end developers who can implement custom functions to facilitate your data migration processes. This is where we come in!
Get in touch for a Free Consultation Session. Not only can we help you assess the complexity of your data, but our team of experts will also gladly take care of all the unique data migration challenges that you face. Whether it is SugarCRM Data Migration or Salesforce Data Migration, we do it all!
