Data migration from SAP to Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) is a critical step for businesses seeking to enhance their operational efficiency and leverage advanced cloud capabilities. In this case study, we will walk you through the essential steps, challenges, and best practices involved in the data migration process.
Whether you’re looking to streamline your business processes, improve data accuracy, or take advantage of the powerful analytics and AI features offered by D365, understanding the intricacies of SAP to D365 migration is crucial for a smooth transition. If you wish to effectively plan and execute your migration strategy to ensure minimal disruption and maximum return on investment, read through this case study.
The organization involved in this project is Bridgewest Perth Pharma Pty. Ltd, a pharmaceutical company. Bridgewest Perth Pharma brings together innovative life sciences and talented people to meet the escalating demand for high-quality drug manufacturing and therapeutics. In conjunction with the Australian Government and the country’s reputation for ease of business and high-quality pharma production, Bridgewest Perth Pharma is playing a critical role in elevating the region’s pharmaceutical industry to a global leadership position.
Bridgewest Group acquired the company from Pfizer, which had been using SAP for its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) needs. Before the acquisition, a decision was made to transition to Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) for their ERP systems. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a comprehensive suite of business applications that encompasses ERP and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, among others.
What we did: Data migration
Project Initiation and Understanding:
As a team, we initiated the project by actively participating in comprehensive requirements gathering sessions, showcasing our collective understanding of SAP’s intricate data structure.
Data Cleaning and Formatting:
We collaboratively executed data cleaning and formatting activities to align information with D365 standards, ensuring a smooth integration process.
Technical Expertise:
We leveraged our collective technical expertise in Python and SQL for mapping old data to the new structure, facilitating a cohesive and efficient transition between systems.
Client Collaboration and Adaptability:
Through collaborative efforts, we led client meetings in the pharmaceutical industry, adapting to changes not available in the SAP system to meet their unique perspectives and requirements.
Data Modelling and Enhancement:
As a team, we took the lead in building new data models in D365, accommodating client-specific changes and enhancements.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
We collaborated seamlessly with cross-functional teams to import and validate data in the D365 environment, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
Rigorous Testing and Prompt Issue Resolution:
We implemented a rigorous testing process as a team to validate the integrity of migrated data, promptly resolving any discrepancies that arose.
Power BI Reporting and Analytics:
As a collective effort, we designed and developed Power BI reports by connecting to the data lake from D365, providing actionable insights and analytics for the Procurement team.
Overall Project Success:
We contributed collectively to the overall success of the project by providing valuable insights and technical expertise throughout the data migration lifecycle.
Goals:
- Understanding comprehensive requirements
- Seamless transition from SAP to Microsoft D365
- Proactive issue identification and resolution
- Client education and empowerment: striving to enhance their understanding and utilization of the system’s features to maximize the benefits for their operations
- Timely project delivery
- Data security and integrity
- Future-readiness: anticipating future needs and developments, ensuring that the solutions implemented are adaptable to accommodate the client’s evolving requirements
- Continuous communication and collaboration
- Positive user experience
- Client-centric technical support
Approach and Solution
- Thorough Requirements Analysis:
Initiated the project by conducting in-depth requirements analysis sessions with key stakeholders. This ensured a precise understanding of the client’s needs, allowing us to tailor our approach to their specific requirements.
- Collaborative Project Planning:
Engaged in collaborative project planning sessions, involving cross-functional teams. Defined clear timelines, milestones, and responsibilities to create a roadmap that guided the entire project lifecycle.
- Agile Methodology Implementation:
Adopted an Agile methodology to promote flexibility and responsiveness throughout the project. This iterative approach allowed for continuous feedback, adaptation to evolving requirements, and swift adjustments to ensure optimal outcomes.
- Data Mapping and Transformation Strategy:
Implemented a robust data mapping and transformation strategy utilizing Python and SQL. This approach facilitated the mapping of data from SAP to the new structure in D365, ensuring accuracy and consistency in the migrated data.
- Continuous Improvement Feedback Loop:
Established a continuous improvement feedback loop to gather insights and feedback from both internal teams and the client. This iterative process allowed for ongoing refinements, ensuring that the project continued to align with evolving expectations.
Implementation
1.) Data Extraction from SAP
- Extracted data from SAP in the form of Excel files.
2.) Mapping Data to D365 Structure
- Employed a strategic mapping approach to align the extracted data with the new structure of Microsoft D365. Leveraging the power of Python and SQL, our team meticulously transformed and mapped data points, ensuring compatibility with the D365 environment.
3.) Data Cleaning and Transformation
- Executed thorough data cleaning activities to enhance data quality and integrity. Any inconsistencies or discrepancies were addressed during this stage, guaranteeing that the migrated data met the highest standards of accuracy.
4.) Data Upload and Integration
- Facilitated the upload of cleaned and validated data into the Microsoft D365 environment. Together with other teams involved, we ensured seamless integration of the data into designated modules, maintaining data integrity throughout the process.
Results and Benefits
The culmination of our efforts yielded significant and tangible results, showcasing the success of our data migration project. With meticulous data mapping and transformation, we achieved a seamless transition from SAP to Microsoft D365. This not only ensured data integrity, but also optimized operational efficiency within the new environment. Our client experienced enhanced accessibility, improved reporting capabilities through Power BI analytics, and a streamlined workflow, resulting in increased productivity. The collaboration with the D365 implementation team fostered a positive working relationship, leading to a successful upload and integration of cleaned data. As a result, our client is now empowered with a modernized, future-ready system, poised to unlock new possibilities and drive sustained business growth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, successfully migrating data from SAP to Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) can significantly transform your business operations by providing enhanced scalability, advanced analytics, and streamlined processes.
By following the best practices and addressing potential challenges outlined in this guide, you can ensure a seamless transition that minimizes downtime and maximizes the benefits of your new ERP system.
As you are getting ready to start this migration journey, remember that careful planning, robust data management, and leveraging the right tools are key to achieving a smooth and efficient data migration and seasoned experts can help you greatly in this process.
Read more: Are your processes too slow? read how you can improve data refresh time with Power BI.
