Successful transition to Microsoft Power Platform

Application platforms for business applications play an important role for companies and should therefore always be state-of-the-art. Outdated platforms endanger competitiveness in the long term and should therefore be modernized. Modernization contributes to the automation of internal processes and thus increases efficiency and competitiveness. Find out in this article how we convert our customer's application platform to Microsoft Power Platform and thus bring it up to date.

Table of contents

A leading company in the chemical industry decided to switch from HCL Notes (formerly Lotus Notes or IBM Notes) to the Microsoft Power Platform. In order to overcome the challenges of migrating several applications that were still in productive use and that were to be migrated to the Power Platform, those responsible sought the support of CONET's experienced experts. HCL Notes, once widely used, still offers its advantages even in the age of the SAAS cloud. However, operating such a system is becoming increasingly more demanding as it becomes increasingly difficult to purchase the necessary expertise. The migration to the Microsoft Power Platform should not only… Improve software efficiency and reliabilitybut also enable the use of modern app development and automation, whereby new features and possibilities can be optimally used.

Project goal

The main goal was to create one for HCL Notes applications Migration to the modern Microsoft Power Platform to be carried out as Power Apps and to replace the old applications in a modernized way, not only technically but also professionally. This modernization is intended to provide the opportunity to meet current requirements and ensure the use of a modern platform. Together with CONET, the customer selected the Microsoft Power Platform to replace the previous applications on HCL Notes. Although the old applications worked, they no longer fit the company's new strategic direction, which needed a modern platform with up-to-date technologies and readily available developers. Finding experts for the Microsoft Power Platform is easier and ultimately enables improved agility in projects.

Evaluation phase

As part of the migration project, the CONET team analyzed and evaluated each application in detail to determine the complexity of migrating from HCL Notes to the Microsoft Power Platform. For this purpose, the team developed a specific questionnaire and conducted interviews for applications with different migration, functional and operational requirements. These interviews were used to specifically identify challenges such as the complexity of data migration and adapting the application logic. At the same time should Opportunities for improvement and modernization are uncovered.

The use of suitable tools and methods is planned for future migration in order to transfer the functions, data and structures efficiently and reliably to the new platform.

The team of experts systematically recorded and analyzed the information from the interviews in order to identify similar applications worldwide. This was a first step to identify potential application clustersto allow possible consolidation of use cases. An application cluster is the grouping or combination of software applications that have great functional similarities or other common characteristics and can also be connected to one another if necessary.

By forming such clusters, applications with comparable functions or usage scenarios can be viewed and treated together. This not only makes it easier for us to evaluate and migrate these applications during the migration project, but also enables a efficient use of resources and minimization of redundancies. The cluster formation strategy thus laid the foundation for a structured and efficient migration by aiming to reduce complexity and make optimal use of synergies to maximize the overall success of the project.

Migrationsphase

In the upcoming migration phase, the data will be further refined by the migration team. For this purpose, an appropriate assessment of the application is carried out and coordination with the application owners in order to clarify the scope of the exact requirements. That's where it lies Focus on detailed consultation and determination of required application details like the interfaces. This process also includes gathering critical information for budget planning and refining rough estimates from interviews using an application assessment.

The aim of the application evaluation is to precisely analyze the use cases and clearly define the requirements in the form of user stories and epics for each application to be replaced. The focus is on this Ensuring the usability and functionality of the new application. This requires careful coordination between the functional requirements of the users and the technical possibilities of the new platform. The targeted migration is intended to ensure a seamless and effective changeover in order to continuously maintain business operations.

Advantages of migration

Migrating Notes applications as Power Apps to the Microsoft Power Platform offers numerous advantages:

• more modern and user-friendly platform: Increases user acceptance and secures innovation potential
• Optimization and standardization: Enables faster and more efficient implementation of business processes
• Stability and reliability: Optimizes operations, reduces downtime and improves business continuity
• Reduced maintenance costs: Regular updates and better support reduce operating costs in the long term
• Scalability and Flexibility: Faster adjustments and a variety of expansion options
• better data integration: Improves data quality and facilitates data analysis and decision making

The Microsoft Power Platform offers a future-proof basis for operating business applications that are continuously developed and offer new functions. This ensures that the company can continue to benefit from the latest technological developments in the future and further improves its competitiveness through new options for its applications.

Challenges in project management

Despite these advantages, migration also presented us with some challenges:

• Variety and complexity of applications: Required detailed analysis and tailored migration to retain key features.
• Data migration: Requires careful planning and execution to avoid data loss or corruption.
• Design of the new applications: Must seamlessly map business processes and drive user adoption.
• Coordination and communication: Requires intensive collaboration and regular exchange with application owners distributed worldwide.
• Technical challenges: Require specific know-how and experience, which is why training and support are essential.

Success factors

After completing the evaluation phase of the planned migration project from HCL Notes to the Microsoft Power Platform, certain success factors are of crucial importance to us. We thoroughly analyzed and evaluated each application to understand the complexity of the migration and determine specific requirements.

In preparation, targeted interviews were conducted with the application owners. These play a key role in precisely identifying challenges such as data migration and adapting application logic. By systematically collecting and analyzing the information, we were able to identify similar applications worldwide and form potential application clusters. This cluster formation strategy helps us to prepare the migration efficiently, Minimize redundancies and make optimal use of synergies. Finally, planning and selecting appropriate tools and methods are crucial to ensure smooth and reliable preparation for the migration to the new platform.

conclusion

The migration from Notes to the Microsoft Power Platform is an important step for our customer, but a very complex one due to the large number of applications affected. Through careful planning and close collaboration, the complex requirements can be successfully mastered. The Microsoft Power Platform is an easy-to-use, stable and cost-effective platform that improves operational efficiency and flexibility and ensures business competitiveness. The project shows that a well-thought-out migration leads to a successful digital transformation and prepares the customer for the future.

Was this article helpful to you? Or do you have further questions about the Microsoft Power Platform? Write us a comment or give us a call. We have summarized further articles on the Microsoft Power Platform for you below:

Juan Albors works at CONET as a project manager in the Microsoft Business Applications area. There he is responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring projects related to the digitalization and automation of business processes based on the Microsoft Power Platform range of solutions.