Microsoft CRM Data Migration – Overview for Consultant Developer
Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 is now parading and triggering Microsoft CRM installation, implementation, customization, data conversion, upgrade and migration interest. We often see the questions on data import and massage options to Microsoft CRM from such systems as ACT!, custom Oracle, DB2, MS SQL Server databases, in all these cases IT departments should do their homework and understand their options, up to the point of making data massaging through Microsoft CRM SDK C# or VB.Net programming (if they have resources or could afford contract programmers)
o Built-in Migration tool. You can only import master records, such as leads and contacts. Please, be advised not to rely on this migration, if you are looking to migrate your ACT! history (activities, transactions, etc.)
o Scribe. Well – we have to admit that these folks are experts and their tools are excellent (the best you could find). Scribe itself however may require to have experienced IT people in staff. In our experience – customers are asking for help in deploying scribe migration, especially integration with Microsoft Great Plains/Dynamics GP 9.0 or 8.0. Scribe is catching up with migration tool, you may see natural delays with such features as duplication recognition (when you already have the lead, account, contact with similar phone number, email, contact name, etc.)
o Microsoft CRM SDK Programming. Technically – this way can resolve all your issues, however the price and learning curve may be negative factor. Typically, as our experience indicates – developer should have 2-3 MS CRM SDK mid-size customization projects under his/her belt to do the job seamlessly.
o ACT! SDK Programming. Normally Scribe can do the job, however in some exotic cases when customer is using newest version of ACT! (and Scribe is not ready with its scripts) – you can deploy ACT! SDK to get access to ACT data and create automatic migration script (in concert with MS CRM 3.0/1.2 SDK Programming)
o Microsoft CRM Upgrade. Usually from 1.0 or 1.2 to 3.0. Please check with us if you have issues. Microsoft CRM 3.0 has multiple redesigned structures. We plan to publish dedicated to MS Dynamics CRM 3.0 upgrade article
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