Clean data decides how smooth the first months on a new system are. A practical order of work.
A new system inherits whatever you import into it. Duplicated customers, items without units and old balances that were never reconciled will follow you unless they are dealt with first.
A practical order
- List what will move. Customers, suppliers, items, opening balances, employees. Old transactions rarely need to move.
- Remove duplicates. One record per customer, supplier and item.
- Complete the required fields. Tax numbers, units of measure, accounts.
- Agree the opening balances. Reconcile them with your accountant before the cut-over date.
- Import a sample first. Check it in the system, then import the rest.
Give this stage real time. A week spent on data saves months of corrections after going live.