ERP System Migration: Transfer Legacy ERP to Web

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is critically important for every business that wants to grow and be profitable. As a tool that manages core business processes, ERP should be flexible, secure, and efficient. If the system does not cover all the company’s needs or uses outdated technologies, the business has to face a new challenge – ERP system migration.

Modernization of legacy ERP software continues to be a challenge for most businesses. Here you can read a case study on how we successfully handled ERP system migration and brоught business value to our client.

Results of ERP system migration for business

Abto Software’s partnership with our US client realized in a state-of-the-art, well-documented ERP solution. It will serve as a reliable platform for future long-term growth.

This ERP system enables the retailers and sellers to maximize profits. Also, it sets up a transparent business collaboration between customers, suppliers, and distributors.

About the project

Like many, our client trusted an in-house development team to build an ERP system. For years, the tool has served the company well, but this wasn’t enough for further growth. 

The business spent a bigger part of the IT budget on maintaining legacy code. Also, they have to deal with the rigidity of ERP solutions. Our client needed a new solution to increase both scalability and global capabilities.

The client worked with Abto Software on ERP data migration plan and ERP modernization, and introduced a public API and executive dashboards.

The project involved investigation, VB6 to .NET migration, design, modernization, and careful product testing. After successful VB6 migration, data migration, ERP modernization, and the smooth integration of a public API along with executive dashboards, the client has seen immediate results.

Our ERP data migration plan and realization

1. Analyze 

Both Abto’s and our client’s teams cooperated to analyze the business’s current solution. We needed to identify which ERP subsystems we should migrate first, and find the ERP’s main drawbacks. We also planned which functionality we would build from scratch.

2. VB6 to .NET migration

Handling VB6 to .NET conversion includes:

• Meticulous investigation and planning
• Environment setup
• Code translation
• Code refactoring and optimization
• UI/UX modernization
• Thorough testing
• Data migration
• User training

3. Design 

Then we designed a more scalable architecture. The goal was to create a solution that would support business needs in the long-term perspective.

4. Team composition

During this step, we set up roles and responsibilities for the project. We decided which experts we need for successful ERP system migration to finish it on time and on an optimal budget.

5. First transfer

Then the development team transferred ERP modules that our client uses daily for the majority of operations. We re-tested all carefully to make sure the migration process won’t be a bottleneck for standard business processes.

6. ERP modernization

During this step, Abto Software’s team developed new functionality according to the ERP data migration plan. ERP modernization included support of Public API and executive dashboards.

7. Final transfer

After modernization, we transfer all the rest of the ERP system modules to web/mobile.

8. Thorough testing

We finished the process by verifying if all data was transferred properly. We need to check if all UI/UX changes are clear and handy for users and do our results meet business requests. 

Team and technologies 

The project had a team of 20 engineers including .NET developers, Requirements Analyst, QA engineers, UI/UX designer. The team managed to transform the client’s ERP software modules into one orderly system. Now it has one UI/UX and development standard, fewer discrepancies, code duplication. The team keeps going with the required maintenance.

ERP modernization tools and technologies: ASP.NET MVC, .NET, C#, MS SQL Server, EntityFramework, HTML, CSS, bootstrap, jQuery, javascript, TypeScript, Tableau.

The challenges of ERP modernization

The requirements for ERP system migration for the retail industry included:

• Reuse the existing Database;
• Run on any web platform or device;
• Improve performance where needed;
• Run as cloud ERP to meet market needs;
• Introduce secure Public API;
• Seamlessly connect the new UI;
• Be secure, stable as to lower support and maintenance costs;
• Be highly performing despite thousands of users.

Updated ERP modules

ERP software helps the company with inventory tracking and management, supply chain management (SCM), and customer relationship management (CRM). 

Among other modules, we added Installations Management – a calendar for managing the daily installations workload. The workers are given jobs and their work tickets can be printed if needed. As jobs are completed, the system processes payments and keeps a history of completed tasks.

Below we list the updated ERP modules:

Why did the client migrate VB6 to .NET?

The decision to completely convert VB6 to .NET was made to improve business performance, enhance security, and facilitate application compatibility with more modern frameworks to harness future-proof opportunities. Being supported by an experienced partner, the client now enjoys modern capabilities, enabling streamlined market competitiveness.

Conclusions 

The Abto Software team successfully realized the ERP data migration plan for our US client. A team of 20 experienced engineers, RA, QA, and designers provided full data transfer and system modernization. As a result of ERP system migration, our client got a reliable tool that became the heart of their business. 

Thinking of your ERP migration? We are ready to improve its functionality, level up the user experience, and reduce maintenance costs. Contact us!

How we can help

Abto Software has the domain-specific expertise to deliver ERP/CRM/CMS/POS modernization and upgrade. Our engineers cover everything from discovery to deployment and maintenance to empower business leaders during their digitization journey.

Contact us to expand ERP functionality, level up user experience, and minimize maintenance costs.

Frequently asked questions

What is ERP?

ERP is an Enterprise resource planning system. It is integrated software that helps to manage the main business processes. The tool can gather in one place information about your finances, services, procurement, supply chain and more.

Who are the primary users of ERP systems?

Any business that wants to manage its processes in a predictable and structured way is a primary user of ERP. ERP systems are especially popular in FinTach, Logistics, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Retail, Healthcare, and lots of other industries.

What is at the heart of any ERP system?

The heart of any ERP system, as well as of any modern business, is data. ERP collects all data flows, stores them, analyses and reforms in a way that business can use it in its growth purpose.

What are the primary business benefits of an ERP system?

The primary business benefits of an ERP system are higher productivity as a result of business processes automation, deeper analysis and fast reporting, real-time data for maximizing business control and lowering risks.

How to select an ERP system?

You need to select an ERP system based on your business requirements and company size. Smaller businesses can choose one of the free open source ERP software solutions. For the businesses that are ready to grow will be more convenient to use a custom-built ERP system tailored to their needs. But make sure to choose a reliable vendor for this important step.