Migration truths
5 things people won’t tell you about data migration
Thinking about a Xero migration or moving away from platforms like Sage 200, SAP, Access Financials, or NetSuite? You’ve probably already heard how “easy” it’s going to be. However, it’s important to uncover some of the migration truths before you proceed.
But here’s the truth:
Data migration isn’t just a project. It’s an art. A science. And sometimes, a bit of magic.
As a team of seasoned data migration experts with some of the best reviews in the industry, we’ve migrated businesses across countless systems: Sage 200, Access, Navision, Twinfield, SAP, NetSuite, and more. And we’ve learned a few hard migration truths people rarely talk about.
1. No migration is ever the same
You might expect every project to follow a neat plan, same tools, same timeline. But reality? Every system, every dataset, every business process is different.
We’ve seen projects with 300,000 lines of data that wrapped up in 3 days without a hitch. And we’ve had 10,000-line jobs that revealed layer after layer of issues that needed surgical-level attention.
So if you’re looking for migration experts who can adapt and think critically, that’s us. Flexibility is our default setting.
2. It’s NOT just copy and paste
Let’s bust a myth right now: data migration isn’t just exporting from one system and importing into another.
It takes:
- Thorough data mapping
- Reformatting and restructuring
- Validation against financial reports
- And most importantly—business logic translation
If you’re moving from Access Financials to Xero, or from Sage 200 to NetSuite, you’ll quickly realize these platforms speak completely different languages. And someone has to do the translating.
3. It’s never like-for-like
Here’s the tricky part: you can’t always replicate everything exactly. Systems have different capabilities, fields, and reporting logic.
Trying to do a like-for-like migration from SAP to Xero or NetSuite to Access? Be prepared to adjust. Some fields won’t exist. Others will behave differently. And what worked in one system may not work in another without causing inconsistencies.
That’s where our expertise comes in—we help you find smart workarounds without compromising accuracy.
4. Historical data: Keep it or leave it?
Everyone wants a clean start, but also wants to keep their old data. Sounds reasonable, right?
But here’s the kicker: not all historical data is worth migrating.
Why?
- Some data is incomplete
- Some is riddled with system errors
- Some can’t be migrated without corrupting financial accuracy
Yes, we can often restructure it. But not always. That’s why we help clients make smart, strategic decisions: What to keep, what to archive, and what to leave behind.
5. Not everyone can do this work
It might sound harsh, but it’s true: not everyone is cut out for data migrations.
It takes:
- An obsessive eye for detail
- A knack for reconciliation
- Strong numerical intuition
- A healthy dose of skepticism (yes, even toward your own work)
The best data migration experts are the ones who double-check everything and assume nothing is perfect. That’s how we catch what others miss.
Final thoughts (and some advice)
If you’re planning a Xero migration or considering a move from Sage 200, Access Financials, NetSuite, or SAP, here’s my advice:
✅ Take your time
✅ Be prudent and patient
✅ Be suspicious of “clean” data
✅ Stay flexible
✅ Always look for ways to improve the process
Every migration is a learning journey, full of trial and error. But with the right team (👋 that’s us!), the right mindset, and a bit of curiosity, it doesn’t have to be painful.
Ready to Migrate?
We’re proud to be one of the UK’s best-reviewed migration experts, helping businesses of all sizes transition smoothly to platforms like Sage, NetSuite, Access, and more.
Migrate My Accounts is a Xero Migration Partner. We know all migration truths.
👉 Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s talk about migration truths .
