John de Rooij
Product Owner
When switching over to Centix, careful data migration is key. This ensures that all important information is retained, and you can phase out old systems with ease. With 30 years of experience in data migrations, I know that a thoughtful approach guarantees a smooth transition and prevents valuable data from being lost.
Many customers wonder if they can take their old data with them. The answer is yes, and it is strongly recommended! In this blog, I explain what you need to know for a successful migration – from which data to migrate to why it is better not to start with a clean slate.
Which data should you migrate?
A common question when implementing Centix software is: ‘What data should we take with us to Centix?’ My advice is simple: when in doubt, always migrate the data. Re-entering data is not only time-consuming but can also result in the loss of important information.
Here is the most important data you should definitely migrate:
- Inventory data: This includes equipment, tools, and technical assets, along with their current status and location, if available. If applicable, also include specific data such as brand, type, serial number, and object-specific details like range, weight, connection, and purchase data. If a photo of the object is available, be sure to include that as well.
- Documentation: Examples include manuals, type approvals, and drawings.
- Inspection certificates: Usually, the latest certificate is sufficient; older ones are often less relevant.
- Maintenance records: Both ongoing and planned maintenance activities should be migrated.
- Breakdown history: This helps identify trends and issues, allowing you to respond more quickly to future situations.
What if tools are missing?
A common argument from customers is that some of the tools have been missing for some time. However, I recommend simply including this data in the migration. From experience, I know that in tool and equipment management, it’s inevitable that some items will be temporarily lost. In the bustle of daily operations, tools are sometimes forgotten, put back in the wrong van, or temporarily used for at-home jobs.
Centix provides improved insight through comprehensive lending registration and inventory capabilities, making it easier to track down lost tools. If you are aware that tools are lost during migration, you can assign an ‘Unknown’ status, for example. Many companies opt to give tools a specific status or selection code to indicate whether they were seen or inventoried during the first year after Centix implementation.
Why not a fresh start?
Some clients consider starting with a clean slate, thinking it would be easier. However, in practice, they often find that manually re-entering all the data is time-consuming and labour-intensive. Moreover, valuable knowledge is lost. After all, historical data provides insights that cannot simply be recovered. By adopting existing data, you make use of previous investments in information and avoid unnecessary duplication of effort.
Experience and trust
At Centix, we have successfully carried out and optimised countless migrations over the years. We understand better than anyone that every customer and dataset is unique. That’s why we guide you through the data migration process step by step, ensuring a smooth, worry-free transition without losing valuable information.
Our advice: migrate comprehensively, set up your system properly, and start benefiting from the advantages of Centix right away.
Let’s explore the possibilities for your organisation together. Contact us – we’ll be happy to assist!
Discover what Centix can do for your organisation
Not a Centix customer yet? I would be happy to guide you through the possibilities Centix has to offer in a product demonstration. Depending on your requirements, I will brief you in half an hour to an hour and a half to give you a clear picture of our software solution!
