As a Salesforce Developer, I have accrued considerable expertise in executing projects that greatly contribute to my present employer’s day-to-day commercial operations. My most recent endeavours revolve around data migration from an outdated system to Salesforce.
Discarding obsolete data is often imperative.
Centralising all customer data in one location can yield a more inclusive comprehension of them. Additionally, it may foster interdepartmental communication, such as machine learning strategies for marketing and product development. Nevertheless, this is a complex undertaking.
My present assignment is aiding our client in moving their data from the current system to Salesforce. Discovering the workings of the previous system and integrating its logic into Salesforce proved to be a formidable task. Notwithstanding, I acquired invaluable insights in the process, and the following three are crucial to accomplish a triumphant legacy data migration initiative.
Engage relevant parties in relevant conversations.
Firstly, ensure you have a thorough understanding of the project’s scope. What precisely are our objectives?
Recognising the intricacy of the task at hand is crucial. Seeking the counsel of seasoned experts familiar with the legacy platform is advisable to gauge the amount of work that lies ahead.
Secondly, and more challenging, is comprehending the historical data: Can you elucidate the data’s structure and deduce the rationale behind certain patterns?
A thorough comprehension of the existing data is imperative to effectuate a prosperous migration to the new Salesforce platform. It is advisable to scrutinise each field with proficient analysts and relevant business personnel who possess comprehensive knowledge of each field.
To avoid being taken aback by unforeseen circumstances during the migration process, contemplate posing the ensuing recommended inquiries:
- What level of data quality is present?
- Can you delineate the data interdependencies?
- Is it feasible to migrate current accounts to the new system?
- What proportion of your data is old compared to new?
- Is there any content that is identical to other files?
- How uniform is the data across collections (disparities in contracts, pricing, terms, numerical forms, capitalisation, etc.)?
To ensure effectiveness, it is crucial to involve both technical specialists and commercial executives in the field, since they possess a complete understanding of the data and its potential applications.
Deferring the involvement of subject matter experts until the later stages of the process is the most pervasive reason for data migration difficulties.
Discern the optimal integration approach and collection of tools
The process of migrating data to Salesforce is accompanied by unique challenges, such as resource usage constraints, latency issues, and restricted custom code that limit bulk loading. Therefore, uploading all the data at once is not practical. It is advisable to perform the migration gradually in stages.
Adopting appropriate tools is critical to guarantee a successful migration process. This is attributed to various reasons. To eliminate the need for manual migration of several waves, it is recommended to automatise some of the main stages. This will ensure a consistent execution of the process for each wave.
By utilising external technologies, data can be efficiently imported and exported from Salesforce, without the need to write intricate code or depend on data engineering. This approach will streamline the process and decrease the required effort and time.
Data integration and the validation of interoperability standards are crucial components of database management. Using data integration tools, any errors or inconsistencies within data files can be detected and corrected before they lead to an issue.
Having been acquired by Salesforce in 2022, I have been utilising Mulesoft for this project due to its effective integration with Salesforce.
The proficiency of the user determines the effectiveness of any tool. To ensure the correct protocols and notifications are put in place, it is appropriate to involve an expert on the existing platform in the integration process. Upon verifying their competency, the process can be automated and scaled up.
Safety should always be the top priority.
When transferring data containing sensitive information about customers or workers, or simply moving data in general, prioritising security is imperative.
Due to the fact that cloud-based solutions are primarily constructed using code, it is essential to revise the security protocols and procedures developed for the previous on-premises system.
To ensure data security, a strategy and road map must encompass the following factors:
Adherence to Relevant Regulations
When transferring data to another region or state, it is crucial to stay informed about any local directives and comply with all relevant laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.Identity and Authorization Management
If data within an organisation has diverse levels of sensitivity, the security strategy should account for this. A reliable identity management system will restrict access to the data solely to authorised personnel and only grant them permission to view the specific data they are entitled to.Encryption
Before transferring data to the cloud, both at-rest and in-transit encryption are necessary.Cloud Management
To leverage the cloud’s flexibility, integration, and resilience for governance procedures, reconfiguring them is essential.Centralized Management
By using a consolidated set of security technologies located both on-premises and in the cloud, the security team can efficiently assess the security of the project.Data Backups
It is imperative to have a backup available to restore from in the event of any issues occurring during the migration process.
Mulesoft’s platform automates the Salesforce conversion process, which is advantageous as it helps address several of the related security concerns.
Final Thoughts
Migrating data can be a challenging undertaking, with possible risks. Nonetheless, the probability of success can be significantly improved if the correct scope definition, approach, tools, and security measures are employed. As a result, it is advisable to seek advice from appropriate experts before initiating the project.
Ready to Transfer Your Data to Salesforce?
Contact the Salesforce experts at Works today to begin the process.
