Data migration & conversion

DWS has extensive data conversion and data quality experience gained over the past 15 years. DWS has formulated a proven approach to data conversions with the following guiding principles:

Automated – the conversion process must minimise any manual input

Re-Runnable – the conversion process must be able to be re-run repeatedly with consistent results

Modular – the conversion process must be able to be run or re-run in modular components without having to run the whole conversion time and time again

Data Based Data Quality – all data quality rules must be based in database tables, allowing for easy management of business rules, counting of errors & logging of errors

Data Based Translations – if possible, all data code/value translations should be based in database tables to allow for easy management of business rules and exception logging

Involvement of the Business in Modifying Business Rules – simple front end screens should provide the business with the capability of changing their data quality or translation business rules – this reduces the number of IT staff required, and shares ownership of the conversion process between IT and the business

Multiple Environments – a development and test environment should be created to allow development and testing to take place on dedicated environments to allow for several trial runs.