Data Conversion
When moving to a new system, the institution usually has to contend with the fact that the database management system for the new system is different to and incompatible with that for the old.
The new database will undoubtedly contain:
- some of the same data items as the old system(s) in the same format
- some of the same data items as the old system(s) in a different format and
- some new data items
Therefore, the customised data conversion programs or scripts may need to perform a variety of functions, for example:
- simply transfer data from the old system(s) to the new
- translate the data from one format to another or
- create new data from information currently held electronically or allow new data to be entered
This key implementation task is known as Data Conversion. Time and resources must be allocated for writing and running the data conversion programs and for thoroughly checking the results of their output when planning data conversion activities. It is also important to use a test database within the new system to try out the data conversion routines and to allow additional time to re-run them if they do not work initially.
