When a business decides to switch to an ERP system, they're usually doing it to improve how work flows across different departments. From finance to inventory to customer records, ERP platforms help put everything in one place so teams can work more efficiently. But before a business can start using an ERP system, all its current data has to be moved into the new system. And that’s where challenges often show up.
Data migration is one of the most common hurdles during a new ERP implementation. It might seem like a straightforward job, but poor execution can lead to big problems that affect the entire rollout. A single mismatch or missing record can impact how reports run or how teams access what they need. The good news is most of those problems can be avoided or corrected with the right planning and approach.
Identifying Common Data Migration Issues
A lot of data migration issues only come to light after they’ve already caused trouble. That’s when numbers in reports don’t match, records appear broken, or users can’t get the information they need to do their jobs. Problems like these often come from trying to bring together data from older, disconnected systems into a new shared ERP platform.
Some of the most common problems include:
1. Data corruption – Information becomes unreadable or unusable after it’s transferred. This can stem from incompatible file types, formatting issues, or system glitches during the move.
2. Incomplete data transfer – Some data gets lost or skipped over, usually because of missed fields, faulty scripts, or mismatched formats between systems.
3. Mismatched data – Customer or inventory details may be different across systems. Without a cleanup plan, these records might get duplicated or merged improperly.
4. Incorrect data mapping – Fields from the old system might not line up with the structure of the new ERP system. If these aren’t matched properly, information ends up in the wrong places.
5. Lack of validation – Not testing data throughout the process can result in small errors growing into major blockages later.
Picture a business moving from spreadsheets and aging accounting software to an ERP solution. If product descriptions or pricing tables don’t match up exactly, key data might be lost or categorized wrong. By the time teams discover it, countless transactions could already be affected.
Preparing For Data Migration
The best defense against migration issues is strong preparation. Data migration isn’t just about uploading files into a new system. It starts long before that with cleanup, checks, and clear planning.
The first step is reviewing all existing data. Outdated entries, duplicates, and irrelevant records should be removed. This improves accuracy once the data lands in the new ERP system and cuts down on clutter that slows things down later.
Once the data is cleaned, it’s time to build a solid migration plan. This plan should cover the following:
1. What data will be transferred
2. Where that data currently lives
3. Which formats are compatible with the new ERP system
4. Who is responsible for each part of the migration
5. What tools and scripts will be used
6. When the transfer will happen and how long it will take
Testing is another critical part of the prep phase. Running dry tests with a sample of data helps uncover issues before the full migration begins. These tests should mimic the real process as closely as possible so teams can see what works and what doesn’t.
With solid preparation, businesses can move forward confident in their data and avoid the kind of migration setbacks that derail ERP rollouts.
Strategies To Resolve Data Migration Issues
Even with careful planning, challenges can show up during the actual migration process. When that happens, fast and clear action can keep small problems from turning into major failures.
If data appears in the wrong fields or triggers errors, the first place to check is the data mapping. Mismatched field alignment is one of the most common causes of bad migrations. Correcting these maps and rerunning the data through the software often solves the issue.
Validation reports are another key part of the solution. These tools compare source and target data to make sure the right number of records arrived and everything transferred as expected. If discrepancies appear, teams can track which batch or field caused the error.
The right tools can also make a big difference. Using migration platforms or ERP features designed to move bulk data makes the transfer more repeatable and lowers the risk of manual error. These tools often help with formatting, filtering, and automating large-scale data tasks.
Other useful steps to resolve or avoid migration issues include:
1. Scheduling backups at regular intervals during the migration process to avoid data loss
2. Creating logs that track transfers, errors, and success rates
3. Assigning team members to review flagged data, especially when duplicate or conflicting values are found
4. Keeping version-controlled original data to allow easy rollback if needed
5. Timing migration runs outside of peak business hours to reduce load on systems and avoid slowing down operations
It also helps when everyone involved understands the process. When roles are defined clearly and communication is ongoing, teams respond quickly and with less confusion when hurdles come up.
Best Practices For Smooth ERP Data Migration
Plenty of businesses have run smoother data migrations by sticking to a few tried-and-true methods throughout ERP implementation.
1. Plan for change, not just movement – Legacy systems hold years of unused or irrelevant data. Don’t just move everything over. Take time to clean up and move only what serves current needs.
2. Don’t wait until it's done to look for mistakes – Review data at multiple points in the project to catch problems before they become permanent.
3. Put users in the loop – People running accounting, inventory, or sales should test early versions of the new system using their own workflows. They’ll spot gaps that admins might miss.
4. Build in buffer time – Once the migration ends, leave room in the timeline to review, adjust, and match new system outputs with what used to come from the old setup.
5. Never skip post-migration testing – Once the data lands, check that it works with the new system. Test reporting, customer lookups, billing, and order status. Everything needs to work with the same accuracy.
Let’s say your team cloud-migrates customer data but forgets to tag inactive accounts. The new system may treat those as active, leading to wrong outreach or billing. A quick post-migration review could catch that before it causes problems.
Even after your ERP system is up and running, keep monitoring how data flows. Set regular intervals to audit data quality, adjust rules, and make sure the system supports users the way it should.
Getting Data Migration Right The First Time
Data migration isn’t just a setup task. It’s about laying a strong foundation that the entire ERP system depends on. From accounting teams pulling payments to operations updating stock levels, everything relies on clean, accessible data.
When businesses take time to understand common data issues, plan their steps, run tests, and fix problems quickly, they avoid the long list of frustrations that come from poor migrations. The result is a more reliable ERP system, better performance across departments, and a smoother rollout with fewer delays.
Whether you’re moving a small database or merging years of records from multiple systems, the goal stays the same: make the data count from day one.
To ensure a smooth transition and make the most of your business ERP implementation, trust the team at Kodershop. Our tailored solutions are designed to simplify data migration and help your organization run more efficiently. Learn more about how we support business ERP implementation with precision and care.