Data Migration Implementation Services

Informatica Professional Services

Problem:
Industry experience has shown that data migration projects are among the most risky, complex, and time consuming of all IT projects. A large percentage of data migration projects suffer cost overruns, delays, or complete failure because their scope and complexity is often underestimated. At the same time, the margin for error is small, because data migration usually supports a larger IT initiative with mission-critical business objectivesfor instance, integrating customer information from a newly-acquired competitor or implementing a Web-based ERP solution to increase productivity and revenue. In speaking with a large survey of companies, weve identified five core challenges companies repeatedly encounter when faced with data migration projects: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Lack of Data Migration Expertise: Because data migration is not ordinarily an ongoing process, organizations rarely have data migration experts on staff. Poor Understanding of Source Data: Multiple sources, poor data quality, and undocumented interfaces can all derail a migration effort without appropriate planning. Continuously Moving Targets: Data requirements for target systems change frequently because the data migration and target applications are often developed simultaneously. Complex Validation Thresholds: When target systems are not yet in production, the design of data validation strategies and quality thresholds for the data migration presents a real challenge. Continuous Post-Migration Troubleshooting: Unless appropriate expertise is available from the start of the project, poorly-executed data migration can result in weeks or months of manual analysis and remedial effort.

Solution:
Informatica has been committed to data integration since 1996. Our expertise was forged through thousands of successful data integration projects. And, because we have always been platform-neutral, we have developed premier solutions for migrating data from any source to any target system. Our strategy incorporates: MethodologyA combination of best practices and techniques developed from practical experience ExpertiseVeteran consultants, seasoned in data integration and specialists in data migration ToolsProprietary software and templates to speed the process and minimize errors

Methodology
The Informatica Velocity Migration Methodology is a proven process that incorporates best practices to accelerate development, minimize staffing requirements, and lower total cost. Applying this innovative approach to data migration, we have identified techniques that can deliver dramatic productivity gains. Our philosophy toward data migration is to convert early, often, and with real production data.

Early. We convert data early to find out the scope and magnitude of the data quality issues. Early conversion also serves as a benchmark to estimate the length and scope of the entire project. And finally, with early conversion business users see the value at the outset. Often. Our approach is iterative. The traditional approach toward data migration projects has been to deliver a big bang conversion. This often results in overlooked business and technical issues with a consequent major rework of the plan. The iterative approach allows for continuous tuning of the migration project until all issues are thoroughly addressed. In addition, not only do users gain increased value with each iteration, they gain confidence in the migration. This lowers the risk and makes go/no go decisions easier. With Real Production Data. We want to get real data into the target system immediately. There are a number of advantages to this approach. First, technical staff can use real data to test system-to-system interfaces. Also, business users can use familiar data for training, for the system integration, and for user acceptance testing. We have developed a way to use production data without affecting the performance or results of production systems.

Expertise
Informatica Professional Services consultants are seasoned experts at designing strategies to optimize developer productivity and accelerate the development of Informatica components. Working side by side with our customers teams, Informatica consultants provide steady direction and sound technical expertise to plan the project thoroughly and keep it moving smoothly. At the same time, they transfer to your staff the wisdom they have accumulated from hundreds of data integration projects. Drawing on our proven, 13-year track record of innovation and leadership, Informatica has defined the standard for data integration that has delivered competitive advantage and operational excellence to leading Global 1000 companies and government organizations.

Tools
Informatica Professional Services has developed a set of reusable assets based on the Informatica platform that typically automates 50 percent of development and testing in an average data migration project. The use of such techniques in migration projects has a substantial impact on resource requirements for development and testing. For more information, contact Informatica Professional Services at [email protected]

Worldwide Headquarters, 100 Cardinal Way, Redwood City, California 94063, USA phone: 650.385.5000 fax: 650.385.5500 toll-free in the US: 1.800.653.3871 www.informatica.com 2008 Informatica Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Informatica and the Informatica logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Informatica Corporation in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other company and product names may be tradenames or trademarks of their respective owners. 204 11/17/2008