From stalled to sprinting: D365 BC data stream rescued

Emergency ERP Recovery — UK Home Improvement Retailer

Client: UK Home Improvement Retailer
Sector: Retail / Home Improvement
Region: United Kingdom
ERP: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC) replacing Microsoft Axapta (AX)
Scope: Data migration stream recovery, transformation, validation, and reconciliation

Summary

After an abandoned SIT phase and months of project delay, elfware was engaged to recover the stalled Microsoft D365 migration. Within two weeks, the team automated full data transformations from raw source files to D365 load-ready targets — re-establishing validation, reconciliation, and delivery momentum across more than 100 data integrity checks in 2 additional weeks.

The risk: stalled migration with no working data stream

The retailer's Microsoft D365 implementation had halted during SIT after repeated failures in data quality and mapping logic. Manual transformation updates and incomplete validation rules had led to unstable test loads and loss of confidence in the migration stream. The recovery effort required rebuilding data trust at speed, without re-starting the entire programme.

Approach (Assess → Prototype → Verify → Evolve → Execute)

Assess (Days 1–3)
elfware performed a rapid dependency and mapping audit, identifying gaps in data transformations and validation coverage. Existing artefacts were salvaged where viable to preserve historical mapping logic.

Prototype (Week 1–2)
Initial AX, D365, and AX-to-D365 adaptors were mapped and printed and validated within two weeks.

Prototype (Weeks 3–4)
Rule-based data quality validation and filtering were established to isolate clean records and allow dependable D365 load testing.

Mapping extension and reconciliation logic were regenerated automatically based on changes indicated by validation results. Each iteration exposed data anomalies, which were rapidly resolved through successive cleansing states.

Full end-to-end reconciliation and validation suites were implemented, enabling UAT execution and traceable defect closure.

Verify and Evolve (Weeks 5–6)
New data scenarios identified led to solution evolution for and during UAT. Successive cleansing and re-execution drove convergence toward 100% data quality compliance.

Execute (Weeks 7+)
Three dress rehearsals were conducted, each iteration improving data quality and validation throughput. Confidence was re-established across both IT and business teams leading to successful cutover with no issues.

What we did

• Generated reusable templates and mappings for AX, D365, and AX→D365 transformations, validations and reconciliation
• Printed and executed transformation code directly from validated mappings
• Automated rule-based data quality validation and exception filtering
• Delivered complete mapping and reconciliation coverage within four weeks
• Enabled successive dry runs with measurable step improvement in data quality and load completeness

Outcomes

• 2 weeks to deliver working D365 adaptors and initial validation filters
• 4 weeks to complete mapping evolution and reconciliation setup
• 100% data quality compliance achieved through automated cleansing iterations
• 3 full dress rehearsals completed before final cutover
• 6 months project time saved and significant cost avoidance for the client
• Migration resumed with full governance, validation, and reconciliation coverage

Why it mattered

This engagement transformed a stalled ERP migration into a verified, audit-ready delivery stream in under two months. By automating transformation, validation, and reconciliation processes, elfware restored confidence, accelerated cutover readiness, and provided a repeatable recovery model for future D365 projects.

"We were facing a complete restart. elfware rebuilt the D365 migration stream in two weeks — from raw data to validated loads — and effectively saved six months of programme time."