Having such a complex data landscape meant they needed expertise to assist with a large-scale data migration to their new PIM. Their landscape spanned across:
- Legacy systems containing product, supplier, and inventory data.
- Bespoke internal platforms used for store and digital operations.
- Enterprise systems such as SAP for enterprise resource planning.
For this project, more than 250,000 products needed migrating, including around 80,000 parent products and 175,000 SKUs - the SKUs being the colour and/or size variations beneath a parent product.
The solution: creating a golden record and resolving data issues
To address the retailer’s challenges, Amplifi formed two specialised teams: one focused on setting up the Stibo Systems STEP PIM system and improving data governance, and the other dedicated to migrating data into the system.
The PIM team worked on defining the structure of the system and establishing clear processes for maintaining data quality. This included identifying seven key sources of information to create a ‘golden record’ for accurate and consistent data. The team also developed 311 rules to identify and fix data issues, resolving 99.8% of problems before the migration started. They set up a simple governance framework to make decisions and manage data in an organised way.
The migration team managed the process of moving data into the PIM system. Using an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) approach, they ensured a smooth and accurate transition of the retailer’s data. For this, Amplifi used their Stibo Systems STEP accelerator to ensure compliance with the STEP XML schema and maintain object hierarchies.
The results: providing a smooth migration experience
Amplifi’s work produced clear and measurable results.
By the final migration, the team achieved 99.9% accuracy, with the remaining 0.1% of known issues quickly resolved as part of normal operations.
Testing throughout the process was consistent, with a 100% success rate for test data across all environments. Dry runs steadily improved, starting at 96.8% accuracy with 25% data coverage and reaching 99.5% at full coverage.
Beyond the successful migration, the project simplified the retailer’s daily operations. With data centralised and organised in a single system, processes became more efficient and manageable. The PIM system also provided a strong foundation for further expansion and meeting future data needs. After go-live, Amplifi continued to support the retailer, managing over 50 requests to ensure the system operated smoothly.
Lee Morgan, Data Quality and Migration Practice Lead at Amplifi, commented, “The rules and validations built into the Stibo Systems STEP platform have been pivotal for governance and compliance. The team’s grit and patience have been outstanding, successfully delivering PIM and earning high regard from the retailer's project team and board.”
To learn more about Amplifi’s data migration expertise, download our guide As if by magic... The expert guide to Data Migration and discover how the right approach to data can make all the difference, or get in touch to discuss your migration project with our experts.
