Treat Obsolescence without data migration

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems are critical for managing the entire lifecycle of a product from inception, through engineering design and manufacture, to service and disposal.
However, PLM systems can become obsolete over time, leading to significant challenges for organizations that rely on them. Obsolescence can be due to various factors such as the expiration of software support, incompatibility with new standards, or the retirement of expert users familiar with old systems.

Watching Points in System Obsolescence Combat

There are several ways to address PLM systems obsolescence but, in any case, a regular audit of all systems and technologies is mandatory to anticipate a good and smooth transition.
Addressing PLM system obsolescence involves several critical subject to pay attention and to clearly assess before any actions:

#01 – Governance and Customization

A good governance in PLM systems ensures that organizations can make data-driven decisions, manage risks proactively, and consistently meet objectives, leading to sustained success in product management initiatives.
Implementing good governance practices to control customizations can prevent future obsolescence. Customizations should be made only when they align with the business requirements, and they match the company’s processes and objectives.

#02 – Target PLM solution

Choosing a new target solution is not an easy task because there are a lot of aspects to balance in terms of costs (recurrent and non-recurrent), customization level (to match company processes), risks, time-to-market (roadmap alignment between IT and business) and flexibility regarding future improvements.
However, technical solution is part of the plan and every option should be analysed in the study: on-premises, open source or on cloud

#03 – Data Migration and Management

Data migration is a critical process involving the transfer of data from one system to another. One of the primary difficulties is ensuring that the new software can accurately interpret and use the data from the old system.
Indeed, data quality issues, such as duplications, inconsistencies, or incomplete information, can further complicate the migration process.
On top of that, the volume and complexity of the data, especially if it has been accumulated over many years in legacy systems through a lot of projects can pose significant challenges.
Migration effort is often underestimated because data assessment must be carried out upstream and exhaustively, which is time-consuming and tricky.

Is Data Migration Mandatory ?

The usual ways of changing software involve transferring data from one system to another. This phase, also called “migration”, can be a complex step and can be fraught with risks such as data loss, semantic misunderstandings, and compatibility issues.
Fortunately, alternatives to traditional data migration solutions exist. One innovative approach is based on keeping the original data model, which therefore eliminates the need to launch complex data migration processes.

Percall Group tailored a solution, Solings, that fits in the approach to preserve company know-how concentrate in data.

SOLINGS Solution

With Solings, businesses can enjoy a smoother transition to updated systems with minimal disruption to their operations. The platform’s ability to integrate with existing infrastructure without the need for data migration presents a significant advantage, particularly for organizations looking to modernize their systems efficiently and cost-effectively.

The case study of Solings demonstrates its effectiveness in managing PLM system obsolescence. By directly connecting to old databases, Solings creates a “new life” for legacy systems in industries, ensuring data sustainability and reducing the risks associated with data breaches and loss of critical data.

Furthermore, Solings helps bridge the skills gap by attracting a younger workforce with IT skills, who might otherwise be demotivated to work in an “old environment.” As industries face the challenge of renewing a significant portion of their workforce, especially with IT-skilled individuals, solutions like Solings become increasingly vital.

System obsolescence is a challenge that businesses can no longer ignore. SOLINGS solution is here to ease digital transition of industries, showcasing how innovative solutions can secure data sustainability and modernize access to legacy systems.

It exemplifies how organizations can tackle the challenges posed by the obsolescence of legacy systems without incurring the high costs and risks associated with data migration and system upgrades.

By taking the right steps, you can transform your business, stay relevant, and save money.