SAP Data Migration: An Overview and Key Considerations

What Is Data Migration?

Data migration is the process of transferring data from one computer storage type or file format to another. It is a key component of any system implementation, upgrade, or consolidation.

The overall objective of data migration goes beyond simply moving it; the real objective is to maintain data quality during the move, ensure the data is fit for use, and ensure it can support underlying business processes and operational goals.

SAP provides data migration software and a major global portfolio comprising individual services, both called SAP Data Migration.

Vendors like Boomi provide data migration services to help SAP customers with their data migration projects.

SAP Data Migration: An Overview and Key Considerations

What Is Data Migration?

Data migration is the process of transferring data from one computer storage type or file format to another. It is a key component of any system implementation, upgrade, or consolidation.

The overall objective of data migration goes beyond simply moving it; the real objective is to maintain data quality during the move, ensure the data is fit for use, and ensure it can support underlying business processes and operational goals.

SAP provides data migration software and a major global portfolio comprising individual services, both called SAP Data Migration.

Vendors like Boomi provide data migration services to help SAP customers with their data migration projects.

Key Data Migration Considerations for SAPinsiders

Develop a data matrix. Creating a data matrix can help project managers plan and execute a multiple-data-migration project, explains Yogesh Lohiya in an SAPinsider tutorial. Lohiya writes that “with business-driven planning, a well-managed data migration process can produce significant business gain across the enterprise.” After you create the matrix, Lohiya recommends using color coding to help certain elements stand out.

Understand the difference between data validation and data testing strategy. According to Ashvinder Rana, data migration projects should have an effective data migration testing strategy. In this SAPinsider article, Rana encourages project managers to understand the difference between data validation and data testing. Data validation, says Rana, can comprise random sampling methods to ensure that the data is converted accurately as per the data mapping rules.

“However, a data migration testing strategy should comprise a series of iterative ‘mock conversion runs’ for all objects in scope where the converted data is utilized by the business process/functional teams to thoroughly test the integration points/transactions as well. In addition, these iterative ‘mock conversion runs’ also allow for validation or conversion programs, conversion error analysis, and fixes that will eventually lead to a ‘zero-error’ data migration.”

Consider a data migration process specific to SAP S/4HANA. Abhishek Gupta provides a step-by-step guide for SAP customers or consultants who want to migrate master or transnational data from any SAP or non-SAP system to SAP S/4HANA. “It is essential for an organization to execute an appropriate data migration strategy to speed up their drive towards SAP S/4HANA in a profitable way. It would be a challenging task to transfer the data into SAP S/4HANA, and therefore it is required to have a verified data migration technique,” Gupta says.