Connected business operations. Flexible deployment.
Learn how to assess, refactor, and test custom ERP code during migrations and upgrades to minimize risk, ensure compatibility, and maintain operational continuity.
Refactoring custom code is a critical component of successful ERP migration and version upgrades. The recommended approach involves a systematic assessment of existing customizations, identification of technical debt, and strategic rewriting or adaptation of code to align with the target ERP version's architecture. This process is essential because custom code often relies on deprecated APIs, changed data models, or removed features in newer ERP versions. Failure to address these dependencies can lead to system instability, data integrity issues, and significant downtime. The main risks to control include broken integrations, security vulnerabilities, performance regressions, and the loss of business logic. By proactively refactoring custom code, organizations can reduce migration risk, ensure operational continuity, and improve the long-term maintainability of their ERP system. This guide outlines practical steps for preparing, executing, and validating custom code refactoring during ERP migrations.
The first step in refactoring custom code is a comprehensive audit of all customizations within the ERP system. This includes custom modules, scripts, reports, workflows, and integration endpoints. The goal is to identify the scope of custom code, its dependencies on core ERP features, and the level of technical debt present. Technical debt refers to the accumulated cost of maintaining poorly written or outdated code, which can slow down development and increase the risk of errors during migration. To conduct this assessment, use static code analysis tools to scan for deprecated functions, unused code, and potential security vulnerabilities. Additionally, map out the business processes that rely on each custom component to understand the impact of changes. This phase requires collaboration between IT teams, ERP consultants, and business stakeholders to ensure that all custom code is documented and understood.
A key part of the assessment is identifying deprecated APIs and dependencies that may not be supported in the target ERP version. Vendor documentation for the specific source and target versions should be reviewed to determine which APIs, models, or fields have been removed or changed. For example, if a custom module uses an API that is deprecated in the target version, it must be rewritten to use the new API. Similarly, changes in data models or field names can break custom reports and workflows. By identifying these dependencies early, teams can prioritize refactoring efforts and allocate resources accordingly. It is important to verify compatibility against the vendor's official documentation for the exact source and target versions, as compatibility claims can vary between releases.
Once the assessment is complete, the next step is to develop a refactoring strategy. This strategy should define which custom code will be rewritten, adapted, or removed. The decision to rewrite or adapt code depends on the extent of changes in the target ERP version and the complexity of the custom logic. For minor changes, adapting existing code may be sufficient. For major changes, a complete rewrite may be necessary to ensure compatibility and performance. The strategy should also include a timeline, resource allocation, and risk mitigation plan. It is important to involve business stakeholders in this phase to ensure that the refactoring aligns with business requirements and does not disrupt critical operations. Additionally, consider the long-term maintainability of the code and aim to reduce technical debt by following best practices for code quality and documentation.
Not all custom code requires immediate refactoring. Prioritize efforts based on the criticality of the business process, the complexity of the code, and the risk of failure. High-priority items include custom modules that support core business processes, such as order management, inventory control, or financial reporting. These modules should be refactored first to ensure that critical operations are not disrupted. Lower-priority items, such as custom reports or non-critical workflows, can be refactored later. This approach allows teams to focus on the most impactful changes and reduce the risk of migration failure. Additionally, consider the dependencies between custom modules and prioritize refactoring in a way that minimizes the impact on other components.
The execution phase involves rewriting or adapting custom code to align with the target ERP version. This process should follow established software development practices, including version control, code reviews, and automated testing. Use version control systems to track changes and ensure that all code is backed up. Code reviews help identify potential issues and ensure that the code meets quality standards. Automated testing, including unit tests and integration tests, should be used to verify that the refactored code works as expected. It is important to test the refactored code in a staging environment that mirrors the production environment to ensure that it behaves correctly under real-world conditions. Additionally, document all changes and updates to ensure that the code is maintainable in the future.
Automated testing is a critical component of the refactoring process. Unit tests should be written for each custom function or method to ensure that it works correctly. Integration tests should be used to verify that the custom code interacts correctly with other components of the ERP system. End-to-end tests should be used to simulate real-world business processes and ensure that the refactored code supports these processes. By implementing automated testing, teams can quickly identify and fix issues, reducing the risk of migration failure. Additionally, automated testing provides a safety net for future changes, ensuring that the code remains stable and reliable.
Validation is a critical step in the refactoring process. It involves testing the refactored code in a staging environment to ensure that it works correctly and meets business requirements. This phase includes regression testing, user acceptance testing, and performance testing. Regression testing ensures that the refactored code does not introduce new bugs or break existing functionality. User acceptance testing involves business users testing the refactored code to ensure that it meets their needs. Performance testing ensures that the refactored code does not degrade system performance. By thoroughly validating the refactored code, teams can reduce the risk of migration failure and ensure that the system is ready for production.
Regression testing is essential to ensure that the refactored code does not introduce new bugs or break existing functionality. This involves running a suite of tests that cover all critical business processes and custom features. The tests should be designed to detect any changes in behavior that may have been introduced by the refactoring. By conducting thorough regression testing, teams can identify and fix issues before they impact production. Additionally, regression testing provides a baseline for future changes, ensuring that the system remains stable and reliable.
Deployment is the final step in the refactoring process. It involves moving the refactored code from the staging environment to the production environment. This phase requires careful planning and coordination to minimize downtime and ensure a smooth transition. Develop a deployment plan that includes a timeline, rollback procedures, and communication strategy. Ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the deployment schedule and any potential impacts on business operations. Additionally, monitor the system closely after deployment to identify and address any issues that may arise. By carefully planning and executing the deployment, teams can reduce the risk of migration failure and ensure that the system is stable and reliable.
Post-deployment monitoring is essential to ensure that the refactored code performs as expected in the production environment. Monitor system performance, error logs, and user feedback to identify any issues that may arise. Use monitoring tools to track key performance indicators, such as response times, error rates, and resource utilization. By closely monitoring the system, teams can quickly identify and address any issues, reducing the risk of migration failure. Additionally, post-deployment monitoring provides valuable insights for future improvements, ensuring that the system remains stable and reliable.
Managing risks and ensuring operational continuity are critical throughout the refactoring process. Identify potential risks, such as data loss, downtime, and broken integrations, and develop mitigation strategies. Ensure that all data is backed up and that restore tests are conducted to verify that backups are valid. Develop a rollback plan that allows teams to revert to the previous version if issues arise during deployment. Additionally, communicate with stakeholders to ensure that they are aware of any potential impacts on business operations. By proactively managing risks and ensuring continuity, teams can reduce the impact of migration on business operations and ensure a successful transition.
Refactoring custom code is not just about migration; it is also about improving the long-term maintainability of the ERP system. Follow best practices for code quality, documentation, and testing to ensure that the code is easy to maintain and update. Use version control systems to track changes and ensure that all code is backed up. Document all custom code and updates to ensure that future developers can understand and maintain the code. Additionally, regularly review and update the code to address technical debt and ensure that it remains compatible with future ERP versions. By following these best practices, organizations can reduce the risk of migration failure and ensure that their ERP system remains stable and reliable.
| Phase | Key Activities | Responsible Roles | Key Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Code audit, dependency mapping, technical debt analysis | IT Team, ERP Consultants | Incomplete documentation, hidden dependencies |
| Planning | Refactoring strategy, prioritization, resource allocation | Project Manager, Business Stakeholders | Misaligned priorities, resource constraints |
| Execution | Code rewriting, automated testing, version control | Developers, QA Team | Code quality issues, testing gaps |
| Validation | Regression testing, user acceptance testing, performance testing | QA Team, Business Users | Undetected bugs, performance regressions |
| Deployment | Deployment plan, rollback procedures, monitoring | IT Team, Operations Team | Downtime, data loss, integration failures |
Common questions on this topic. Talk to our team for anything specific to your business.
The first step is to conduct a comprehensive audit of all custom code to identify technical debt, dependencies, and deprecated APIs. This involves using static code analysis tools and mapping out the business processes that rely on each custom component.
Review the vendor's official documentation for the exact source and target versions to identify deprecated APIs, models, or fields. Use static code analysis tools to scan for deprecated functions and dependencies.
The decision depends on the extent of changes in the target ERP version and the complexity of the custom logic. For minor changes, adapting existing code may be sufficient. For major changes, a complete rewrite may be necessary.
Static code analysis tools, version control systems, and automated testing frameworks are commonly used for ERP code analysis. These tools help identify deprecated APIs, unused code, and potential security vulnerabilities.
Refactoring custom code can extend migration timelines, but it reduces the risk of migration failure and ensures long-term maintainability. Proper planning and prioritization can help manage the impact on timelines.
Regression testing ensures that the refactored code does not introduce new bugs or break existing functionality. It involves running a suite of tests that cover all critical business processes and custom features.
Learn how to establish construction ERP reporting discipline to gain executive control over project cost variance, ensuring accurate financial visibility and operational accountability.
A practical guide for finance and IT leaders to ensure financial data integrity during ERP migrations, covering reconciliation strategies, validation checkpoints, and risk mitigation.
Discover how distribution ERP frameworks eliminate manual reconciliation in order-to-cash cycles by unifying inventory, finance, and logistics data into a single system of record.
Discuss your workflows, modules and deployment options with our team.
Back to resources