Do you really need all that historical data?
A question I'll often get from my clients as they're making the transition from one AMS to another is "How much historical data do we need to convert?"
My preferred answer is always "None." The easiest data conversions are those with the least amount of data.
But the more accurate answer is another question: "What will you actually DO with that historical data, if it's converted to your new system?" In my experience, the overwhelming majority of data is never used beyond its original transaction. That suggests that most historical data probably doesn't need to be converted.
Yes, there are some significant exceptions, e.g., certification data. But most historical data probably doesn't need to be converted. Just ask yourself: "If I have that data in the new system, how will I use it?" If you have to think about that before you answer, you probably don't need to convert that data.
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
It’s hard to get UNangry
It’s hard to get UNangry I often emphasize to my clients the importance of testing […]
Some history IS important!
Some history IS important! When I’m advising clients on data conversion (moving data from one […]
“Many mickles make a muckle.”
“Many mickles make a muckle.” “Many mickles make a muckle.” – George Washington Apparently, this […]
It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage
It’s easy to collect; it’s harder to manage The beauty of today’s highly configurable AMS […]
Tell them why you want the data
Tell them why you want the data Because data is so easy to collect these […]
Don’t get hung up on something minor
Don’t get hung up on something minor I’m a problem solver. I love to solve […]
Be flexible, especially for unusual requests
Be flexible, especially for unusual requests One of the great benefits of off-the-shelf association management software (AMS) […]
“Her eyes were bigger than her stomach.”
“Her eyes were bigger than her stomach.” When I was a child, my siblings used […]
Once you buy crap…
Once you buy crap… “When you buy something cheap and bad, the best you’re going […]
It could always be worse
It could always be worse Because most of us don’t have the benefit (like I […]