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Ex Libris Knowledge Center

Overview of Migration

The migration process consists of the following stages:

  1. Preparation phase / Onboarding – During this stage, you are expected to:
    1. Review the migration documentation, which includes Getting Ready for Alma and Discovery ImplementationTechnical Requirements for Alma and Discovery ImplementationElectronic Resource Handling in Alma Migration, and the relevant ILS to Alma migration guide that can be accessed from the Migration Guides page. If you are working with a Network Zone, it is recommended that you review the Consortia migration documents as well.
    2. View the Tips for Completing the Alma Migration Form, Generic Alma Migration – Inventory, Generic Alma Migration – Fulfillment, and Generic Alma Migration - Acquisitions migration tutorials. If you are migrating from 360/Intota, view the 360RM and Intota Migration migration tutorial.
    3. If you are currently working with an Ex Libris ILS:
      1. Fill in the migration form using the instructions in the relevant Alma migration guide.
      2. Extract data from your current ILS, review and analyze the data after it is extracted, and re-extract it if necessary.
      If you are currently working with a non-Ex Libris ILS:
      1. Extract data from your current ILS, review and analyze the data after it is extracted, and re-extract it if necessary.
      2. Fill in the migration form using the instructions in the relevant Alma migration guide.
  2. Implementation – During this stage, the following occurs:
    1. Test load – Ex Libris migrates data to Alma (note that you have the opportunity to provide updated forms and data before the test load). You are expected to review and check the migrated data using the Testing Migrated Data documents and provide Ex Libris with information regarding the data/form adjustments that will be required for cutover. Note that during the test load phase, you will also be working on other implementation tasks, such as workflow verification and staff training.
    2. Cutover load – You re-submit your data extract and migration form, Ex Libris migrates the data to Alma, and you are expected to review and approve the migrated data.
    3. Fulfillment and user cutover load – You re-submit a full, updated fulfillment and user (patrons, loans, requests, fines/fees) data extract, Ex Libris migrates this data to Alma, and you are expected to review and approve this migrated data (using the Testing Fulfillment Data Migration to Alma document).
  3. Go live – Begin modifying your data in Alma, such as checking out library materials and performing cataloging.

Alma Data Model

The Alma data model and terminology is often quite different than what you may be familiar with from your work with other library systems. It is therefore strongly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the Alma data model for physical, electronic, and digital inventory. For detailed information on the Alma inventory components, see Introduction to Alma Inventory

For information on user management and the Alma user data model, see Overview of User Management in Alma.

It is also strongly recommended that you review Alma Topologies, which describes the Alma organizational structure.

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