Managing an aircraft data migration project remotely what the pandemic has taught us.
More than a year ago the global pandemic hit us and is still affecting our personal and professional life. We continued to support our clients with the same dedication and attention, just fully remotely. Today, Rutger Lorist, Senior Aircraft Data Consultant at EXSYN, shares his experience about how to manage data migration projects in a full remote setup.
What makes a remote aircraft data migration project different?
I have been with EXSYN for almost 5 years and during this time I have worked with multiple different customers on different data migration projects. During a data migration project, we usually split our time between being on-site at the customer and working from our office in Amsterdam. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 this all needed to change last year. In the beginning of 2020, we kicked-off with another major data migration project. The kick-off with the customer and data mapping workshops (see here the detailed data migration process) could be conducted onsite at the customer. Initially the plan was to have regular onsite workshops and business meetings but due to the pandemic we need to adjust our plans quickly to a full remote set up.
What is critical to consider in a remote aircraft data migration project?
Two major things needed to be guaranteed right away – a single communication platform and stable server connections – the latter is always relevant for every data migration project we are involved however, this time
Creating a mutual communication platform enabled all team members to call and chat with each other at a moment's notice
Establishing server connections to the client’s server and having a stable line to have continuous access to all databases and files needed. Working via the clients and EXSYN server allowed full flexibility and provided a backup scenario in the case of any issues.
Another hugely important part of any data migration project is the data verification. EXSYN has established data verification reports that need to be followed by the customers and we have regular in-person meetings to discuss the status and outcomes. This also needed to be adjusted to a remote collaboration model. In first place, the customer would perform individual data verification sessions according to EXSYN’s report templates and the airlines business processes. The outcome of these sessions were discussed during teamwide verification sessions. This eventually evolved into one-on-one start to finish verification sessions between EXSYN’s Aircraft Data Consultants and business key-users of the customer.
How did you manage the UAT and go-live during remote aircraft data migration projects?
After having conducted two major data loads (check the data migration process here) it was time for the User acceptance test (UAT) followed by the cut over, so the actual go live of the new system. These are two major steps in the whole project and usually this is done completely onsite at the customer. We actually already had some experience with a previous project with performing a cut over with a split team, but still we were onsite at the customers. For this to be achieved, it is very important to stick to the timelines and keep in close communication. We applied this experience also to the fully remote project, be establishing clear roles, timelines and modes of communication.
In addition to this, we already established which “static” or frozen datasets could already be transferred into the production system before performing the cut over. This led to a sharp reduction in data to be transferred during the cut over.
What do you anticipate for future aircraft data migration projects?
Going forward we do anticipate that the remote collaboration element in an aircraft data migration becomes more important. More and more we have been accustomed to collaborating virtually with one another. In addition, virtual collaboration has also become a more acceptable way of working globally. For airlines and MRO’s needing to undergo a data migration exercise this comes with the big advantage of being able to engage with specialist companies like EXSYN without the additional costs that would arise if our Aircraft Data Consultants would need to travel to the client’s facility. All the while still enjoying the same high-quality outcomes of the aircraft data migration project.
What will you do different in a next remote aircraft data migration project?
For future projects that we need to do in a full remote setting we will place even further emphasis on communication with the IT team. This is one of the bigger technology stakeholders in any data migration project especially working remotely. For a new project it would be very important to establish a strong coordinator within an IT team to put priority on any request, as a loss of data connection could stop production for several minutes to even days.
Reflecting of course there is an element which is not present in fully remote aircraft data migration projects. When working on-site, there is always the human element. You get to connect with different people and cultures, this establishes understanding and even friendships. With this understanding in place, it is far easier to read and understand people and to get to solutions quicker.
On a final note, the overall project planning did take a hit because of corona but we managed to finalize the project just shy of the initial target date. At the end, this clearly showed that even with a fleet size as large as this particular client, a full remote aircraft data migration is possible as long as the key ingredients are in place during the project itself.
How EXSYN Can Help
Having dealt with most MRO systems out there in the market today, coupled with expertise combining several thousand man hours of work with over 30 Airlines and MROs spanning across a fleet size of over 1450 aircraft, EXSYN's team of aircraft data and aviation experts utilize a proven data migration framework and methodology:
EXSYN’s data migration infrastructure to reduce project costs and duration
EXSYN’s data warehouse to accelerate your migration
Data mapping and load workshops to develop the best strategy for your situation
EXSYN’s data migration dashboard to monitor the progress and quality of your data migration
Migration of both structured and unstructured data
ISO 27001 data security compliant migration approach
Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us
