Business Challenge

The client was faced with a complex and difficult data migration issue. Customer information for the client’s three brands was stored in three different databases. Customers having multiple accounts were getting lost, and maintaining the data was cumbersome.

The client wanted to move its data from three SQL Servers to one Oracle 9i database. There were numerous risks involved, because the new client site was completely customized. Back office functions had to support the requirements of many original customer interfaces.

ProV’s Solution

ProV set up an extensive fail-safe migration process, first merging the data, validating it, encrypting it, and then moving it to a safe data staging area where it could be tested for rules established by the client’s business team. Secondly, ProV exported various database jobs to the production server; data was then uploaded and tested. Finally, ProV converted legacy data of older client promotions to the new data base for use in new, cross-selling promotions from the site.

Results

Although the client’s $500 million/year Direct Division experienced a lapse in revenue during this project, industry analysts estimated that with its robust interfaces the company had gained a significant competitive advantage in the explosive online retail category.