You probably can't see, but I'm crying.
No testing?
How do you know it works? Perhaps you're using an obscure piece of functionality that is rarely used. Perhaps you are using modules or transactions in conjunction with each other which are no longer supported. Perhaps any reports you get will be different. Perhaps any data downloads for subsequent use by Excel or VB will be in a different format. Perhaps not every data field is in the same format that it was before. Perhaps there are additional data fields. Perhaps the functionality has been 'improved' (that means changed). Perhaps not all the same fields are on the same D/E screens. Perhaps things have to be entered differently..... etc. etc. etc.
Manual D/Entry?
How will mistakes be corrected? Have any format requirements changed? Are the same number and type of characters in each field? What happens with D/E errors? Will there be reconciliation reports? Is every data field required by the new version exactly mirrored by a field in the older version? What about typos? How long will it take? By how many people? Can the system be used in this time? Presumably both systems will need to be locked out during the d/e exercise to avoid transaction changing data? What about interfaces to other systems? What about transactions which would normal occur in this time? Will the required parallel running be possible?
et friggin' cetera.
It's one of your core systems and you have no decent lead and the supplier is telling you what will or will not be done.
What a total nightmare. Even if everything goes perfectly it will still screw your operations for a few days.
Who asked you to do this sense check? Tell them, immediately, in writing, everything you're not happy with. Because you've been asked to "sense check", thus any continuing nonsense is happening on your watch.
You don't necessarily need migration programs, they're frequently used when there are may interfaces or custom functionality involved, so it depends on your particular environment.
But you certainly do need a data migration strategy. Whether or not it will be automated.
And you abso-bleedin-lutely need testing. Of everything.
And unless your supplier is guaranteeing to cover the cost of any disruption to your business, then I suggest that someone stops letting them make the decisions.
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