BAAN 5 Environment Analysis
Before any migration work begins, conduct a thorough analysis of the BAAN 5 environment. This involves inventorying all 4GL customizations (scripts, reports, sessions), mapping custom table modifications, documenting business process flows that depend on BAAN-specific functionality, and identifying data quality issues in the source system. BAAN 5 environments typically have 500-2,000 custom objects accumulated over their lifetime.
Understanding what each does and whether it is still needed is the foundation of migration planning.
- Inventory all 4GL scripts, custom sessions, custom reports, and modified standard objects with usage analysis
- Interview key users and process owners to document business logic embedded in customizations
- Profile BAAN 5 data quality: identify duplicates, orphaned records, and referential integrity violations
- Map BAAN 5 company and domain structures to the planned Infor LN enterprise model architecture
Data Transformation and Business Process Mapping
Data transformation from BAAN 5 to Infor LN is the highest-effort migration workstream. While both systems share BAAN heritage, data model differences exist in table structures, field formats, code values, and relationship mappings. Build transformation rules in a mapping workbook that documents source table, target table, transformation logic, and validation criteria for every data element.
Business process mapping identifies where LN's standard functionality replaces BAAN 5 customizations and where gaps require new LN customizations.
- Build a comprehensive data mapping workbook covering every master data entity and open transaction type
- Map BAAN 5 code values (statuses, types, categories) to their Infor LN equivalents with validation rules
- Identify BAAN 5 processes handled by customizations that LN now supports as standard functionality
- Document remaining functional gaps requiring new LN customizations and estimate development effort
Organizational Change and Training
The human side of BAAN 5 to LN migration is often underestimated. Users who have worked in BAAN 5 for 15+ years experience significant disruption moving to LN's modern web interface. Training must go beyond button-clicking tutorials, it should cover how business processes change, what new capabilities LN offers, and how the web UI improves daily workflows.
Engage super users early as change champions who can support their peers through the transition and provide real-world feedback on the new system.
- Identify and train super users from each department 3-4 months before go-live to serve as peer mentors
- Design role-based training focused on business process changes rather than generic system navigation
- Create quick-reference guides mapping common BAAN 5 tasks to their Infor LN equivalents for daily use
- Plan for a productivity dip of 20-30% in the first month post-go-live and staff accordingly with overtime budget
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