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Legacy Imports
With our Import service there's no need to hire a Database Developer - We have you covered. Our developers have performed scores of Legacy Imports from all kinds of sources including Excel, MS access, CSV, XML or other relational databases. We migrate them all.
Periodic Data Imports
Informa can provide you with access to an application called InformaImport that allows you to update data periodically, in any of several formats, including MS SQL, Oracle, csv or text files. The data can be mapped to your new database, based on the mapping rules generated from the initial legacy import. InformaImport produces log files as well as sending a response of acknowledgement of a successful or unsuccessful run.
DataBase Optimization
Our experts can take almost any source data and return an optimized MS SQL relational database following best industry practices. Let us assist you in creating a well indexed, well formed database for your important data.
Our Typical WorkFlow
Over the years we have developed a set of procedures that we rely on to help us with getting your data from point A to point B. Our import mapping strategies are tried and tested so there's no experimentation or guesswork. Usually all we need are links to source and target databases and a point of contact that's familiar with the two.

Legacy Imports

Informa will create and execute a Migration plan that follows best industry practices such as cleansing the data, transforming and validating the data and reconciling the data to account for archived data or data that has been deleted but still needs to be accessable. We tailor our migrations to your individual needs and according to your specifications.

Periodic Data Imports

Duplicate entry into different systems is a very frustrating and time-consuming fact of life and we seek to remedy that with our InformaImport software that allows complex data mapping structures that look up values in related tables and place them into the target in the same way. We can also work with third party software vendors you may use to get their data into your system. We have experience breaking down different formats and extracting the relevent data, including MS SQL, Oracle, csv or text files or almost any other source you have. Our log files are detailed and specific, letting you keep track of the entire import or just the updated or added records - or both. Also included is the abilty to send the logs or links to the logs to a specified list of emails of your choice.

Database Optimization

Poorly designed databases are one of the primary factors that cause your developers to work overtime. Reduntant data and poorly indexed files can slow your system down and lead to scalability issues. Let Informa analyze your file structures and produce a fully normalized structured set of tables that make it easier to visualize your data. We also follow a set of naming conventions that make it easier to find and locate the tables you need. Unlock the full power of the Relational Database concept with an optimized database.

Our Typical WorkFlow

Pre-Migration: Data Assessment, Data Cleaning and Data Extraction/Transformation
Migration: Reports and Metrics, record tracking and exceptions or issues
Post Migration: Documentation, Reports and Final Signoff

Data Security Practices

We know your Data is mission critical and its security is as important to us as it is to you. We use dedicated secure servers or a secure Azure Cloud location as the lockbox to store your data as we develop the data mapping. All our work is performed in the USA. We use state of the art encryption (TDE) for your data at rest and all transfers are performed with AES-256 encryption which is the highest level of encryption available. The data servers are locked down using firewall rules and are only accessible to individuals from your team and ours.

Case Studies

Informa’s Database experts have performed over 100 data imports ranging from simple one to one mapping to complex data mapping with schema redesigns. We have experience in data clean-ups, including duplicate record removal, creation of look up tables, reindexing and schema redesign for efficiency improvements. Here are some case studies:
Maine   Nebraska   Austin

Capabilities

  • Convert data from flat and unstructured document file formats such as LDIF, CSV, MFVL, text and XML

  • Convert > 100 datatypes including EBCDIC and packed decimal, dates and numerics, UTF-16 Filter records and re-map layouts and perform basic data cleansing

  • Experience in importing data from ODBC libraries such as Oracle, DB2, MySQL and SQL Server

  • Data Cleaning to remove unwanted observations from your dataset, including duplicate observations or irrelevant observations, structural errors, unwanted outliers, missing data and validate through a rigorous QA process.

  • Data Archiving Inventory and determination of which data must be archived based on compliance regulations. Assignment of a retention schedule for each category. Development of an all-inclusive archive policy with proactive protection of the data archive's integrity and delivery of a data archive product that suits your needs.

  • Creation of Migration Plans including exploring and assessing the Source and how it fits within the target system. Design migration plans, conducting live tests and perform the actual migration as well as auditing the results.

  • Data Validation and Reconciliation including data sampling, validating the database and validation of the data format.

  • Migrate to Azure SQL using Sql Server Integration services (SSIS) with almost no downtime. Identify and mitigate migration issues using the Azure Migration Assistant to identify issues before they occur.