Knowing where to start your Sage 1000 migration journey

Datels R&D director Tim Purcell shares his advice for businesses facing the challenge of migrating from legacy Sage systems like Sage 1000 and Sage Line 500, turning what often feels like a daunting task into an opportunity for positive change.

When familiar software retires, what comes next? 

When an application within your business that you’ve loved and built around goes into retirement, it can feel like another problem on the to-do-list rather than an opportunity to change. And, knowing where to start when migrating from any core operational software can feel like a daunting hill to climb. In my experience, many businesses facing this challenge feel bewildered, wondering what to do, where to begin and what the processes will look like for their business.

The chances are, you’re fully aware of the risks your business faces by staying on the legacy system. Right now migrating might not seem like the right option for your business, but as someone with over 25 years in working with Sage systems, I can assure you, there will be Sage solutions out there better suited to your business as it is today.

The considerations when migrating

First of all, preparation is key. There will be some disruption to your business-as-usual (BAU) operations, this is inevitable as you embark on replacing a key business system to newer, more enhanced software. The better you prepare for your migration, the smoother the transition will be for your business and your team and that disruption can be kept to a minimum.

Preparation

Preparing for your migration has never been easier, our team is fully equipped with the knowledge and tools to help you migrate as seamlessly as possible. We take into consideration how our customers' businesses function on a day-to-day basis and, with that deep understanding of your organisation, we will guide you through the process. Having the right people involved in the project, the right expectations of what is needed and when, and a tried and tested plan for your project are essential.

Working with the right partner

Working with the right partner who knows your business and understands what you are trying to achieve is equally important. In order to minimise disruption, working with a team who is clear on your business aims and can guide you through the project is essential. Clear scope, objectives and measures of success will ensure everyone knows the boundaries of the migration.

Your technology stack

Finally, take into consideration your technology stack. Think about what systems you currently have in place that could be affected by the migration process. Having this front-of-mind before embarking on your migration journey will save a lot of time in the long-run.

Considerations to your technology stack can also open up a world of opportunity. Migrating to newer Sage software may enhance what you have in place already, this could be anything ranging from warehousing software to internal IT integrations, and speaking with a member of the Datel team will offer some clarity on what’s possible for your business.

These three considerations are an excellent place to start when planning your migration journey. By looking into what you have already, the type of partner you want to work with and preparing for what’s about to come, you are putting your business in the best possible position for a smooth and successful migration.

Getting the help you need

Alongside ongoing discussions with your account manager, there are plenty of people within Datel that can support you in finding the right solution for your migration. I regularly meet with Sage 1000 and Sage Line 500 customers to look at their current system, understand what additional applications their business uses and to put in place a plan for a Sage solution that will drive the business more efficiently in the future.

The main thing you need to remember is that you’re not alone - as your Sage business partner we want the best for you and your business. If you are still unsure about what migrating might mean for your business, reach out to us for a chat where we can answer any questions. If you’re not quite ready to speak to us and want to know more, you’ll find plenty of information on our Sage 1000 partner page.