Before we begin the migration process, we create a data migration plan. This includes a detailed understanding of what data needs to be transferred, its current format, how it should be structured in the new system, and any necessary transformations. This is also the time to plan for any potential downtime, set a timeline for the migration, and communicate with stakeholders. Just prior to starting the migration, we create a backup of all data to be migrated which serves as a safety net in case of any issues during the migration, and determine how each data field in your current system corresponds to a data field in Accela —this “mapping” ensures that the data will be correctly placed in the new system. Then the actual migration happens, which may involve exporting data from your current system(s) into a common format (like CSV or XML), and then importing it into Accela. After the migration, we thoroughly test the new system to ensure the data was transferred correctly and is functioning as expected. This might involve checking a sample of records, verifying counts of records, or performing searches for key records. Once the data has migrated successfully, we train users on the new system and officially switch over. For more information, please contact us.