Data Conversion

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Converting data from legacy systems into OpenMETRIC, OpenPROTRAK, or OpenEMBARC presents significant opportunities and challenges.  This effort often consumes more time and resources than the acquisition of a new system, including hardware upgrades and training.

Scope

The first objective is to determine the scope of the data conversion.  With OpenMETRIC data conversions there are usually several viable alternatives and trade-offs which should be carefully evaluated.

OpenMETRIC data tables can be loosely separated into three broad groups:

• Setup Data
• Work in Process (WIP) ("Open Jobs") Servicing Data
• Servicing History ("Closed Jobs")

The Setup data includes the test and measurement equipment inventory, the list of current customers, the list of current technicians, etc.

Of these, the conversion of the Item Master is typically the most critical for conversion to OpenMETRIC.

The decision to convert the Work in Process Servicing Data can sometimes be avoided by "doubly entering" the servicing data into the old system and into OpenMETRIC for a period of time, followed by manually entering the remaining "old" open jobs.

Finally, the decision to convert the Servicing History can sometimes be avoided by declaring that "for data prior to MM-DD-YYYY, you'll have to go back to an archive of our old system.  This assumes that the legacy system data can be archived in some form of data warehouse for a few years (3 - 5) and that customers, auditors, and the cal lab can tolerate looking in "more than one place" for information.

Regardless of the decision to convert the Servicing History, it is usually necessary to convert or to enter at least the most recent calibration history for each of the standards, so the calibration traceability can be achieved.

Methodology

After dealing with numerous data conversions, we have concluded that it is virtually mandatory to develop an automated methodology for any data that will be converted.  The data will need to be converted several times, including the conversion for "parallel testing" or "training," and followed ultimately by the data conversion to "go live."

Any effort to convert data manually is probably doomed to frustration and failure, since the data is too dynamic and the introduction of human errors will corrupt the conversion attempt.

Resources

We are completely flexible about our role in the data conversion process.

At one extreme, we'll take over the entire responsibility for the data conversion, delivering data conversion programs and overseeing the execution of the data conversion on two or more separate occasions.  We are particularly well-equipped for these projects, utilizing the strengths of WonderWare to develop data conversion programs quickly, economically, and error-free.  Over the years, we have demonstrated that we can implement a turnkey data conversion in a matter of days or weeks, whereas client-implemented data conversions have typically taken considerably longer.

At the opposite extreme, we'll provide technical training, consulting, and support to permit our client to use their own resources to accomplish the data conversion.

Between these extremes are a virtually infinite variety of combinations of "our people and yours" which can be organized to achieve the conversion according to the priorities, budgets, and schedules which best meet your requirements.