Step 4: Download and install the Data Migration Agent (DMA)

The Data Migration Agent (DMA) is a small application that forms an essential part of the IRIS Elements data migration solution for IRIS products, including the IRIS Accountancy Suite, Keytime Accountants Suite and PTP Suite. It allows you to create a connection between and move data from the databases of the IRIS products you are migrating from to your IRIS Elements account. The DMA must be downloaded, installed, and configured before you can migrate data.

Important: Before attempting to install and configure the DMA, please note the following:

  • The DMA must be installed on a PC or laptop that either holds the data being migrated or has access to it via the products you are migrating from.

    If the DMA cannot be installed in the same location as the database, you will need to configure access to the database. Before configuring, make sure you have the right permissions to do so.

  • You need an active IRIS Elements account to connect to.

  • You need Windows Administrator rights to be able to install and run the DMA.

  • The latest version of .Net Desktop Runtime is required; this will be auto detected and a prompt to update if required will be proposed.

  • The latest version of PTP Suite is required.

Watch the PTP Install and Configure the DMA video.

1. Downloading and installing the DMA

  1. Download the DMA from the download page and make a note of the download location.

  2. On your PC or laptop, find the download file, right click the file, and select Run as Administrator.

  3. Follow the instructions on screen to install the DMA. A shortcut to the DMA Configuration Tool is placed onto the PC or laptop Windows Desktop.

  4. Select the shortcut to launch the DMA Configuration Tool.

2. Data Migration Agent (DMA) Configuration Tool

Launching the DMA Config Tool takes you to a Product Selection Setup page where you have the option to configure the DMA to allow your chosen IRIS product’s data to be migrated to IRIS Elements.

The DMA supports multiple IRIS products, so please check that you have selected the correct product before proceeding. The options for PTP users are:

  • PTP Accounts Production (AP) including Tax - for users that have either PTP Accounts Production as a standalone or both PTP Accounts Production and PTP Tax.

  • PTP Tax only

Select your product and then Next to proceed.

3. Using the DMA

The following steps are slightly different if you are migrating PTP Accounts production including tax or PTP tax only.

Migrate PTP Accounts Production including tax

Once you have selected to migrate PTP Accounts Production including tax, please check you have completed the required prerequisites before you start migrating your data.

These Prerequisites cover all the IRIS Product offerings available for migration; not just for the product currently selected.

  1. Select the checkbox to confirm you have completed the prerequisites, and select Next to continue.

  2. Enter the login credentials of your IRIS Elements admin user.

  3. In PTP Accounts Production, navigate to the Setup menu and Connect to IRIS Elements. Go back to the DMA.

  4. There are two ways to establish a connection to PTP Accounts Production database where data will be migrated from:

    • Select Browse to select available database (s). In this case, the user will need to locate the IrisDBconfig.xml which is available on an installation. The relationship between the Migration Service and IRIS Elements is always One to One. However, depending on a user's database setup, e.g. a multi -database setup, there is the ability to choose one of multiple databases listed and make that the focus of the migration.

    • Manually providing server information.

    After the database has been selected, select Test Network Access. This checks integration, (integrated security, access privilege and authority to access a database).

  5. Choose to Grant or Revoke the DMA permissions.

  6. Select Validate Access to check the connection.

  7. Select Save Configuration to continue.

  8. The DMA is now ready to run. Select Start DMA Service to start. Follow the link to go to IRIS Elements.

    There are also some optional Advanced Diagnostic Connection Tests available to run.

    Additional diagnostics can be performed to test:
    Request Service - to check the configuration is correct.
    Recipient Service - where the data from the products are sent when it has aggregated all the information.

Migrate PTP Tax only

Once you have selected to migrate PTP Tax, please check you have completed the required prerequisites before you start migrating your data.

These Prerequisites cover all the IRIS Product offerings available for migration; not just for the product currently selected.

  1. Select the checkbox to confirm you have completed the prerequisites, and select Next to continue.

  2. Enter the login credentials of your IRIS Elements admin user.

  3. The next screen pertains to PTP Accounts Production. As you are only migrating tax data, select Connect Tax Data in the left hand panel.

  4. Your PTP installation may be auto-detected. If it is not, use the Browse option to find it.

    Select Test Connections to validate the path is correct. If successful, the data path will turn green.

  5. Select Save and then Next to continue.

  6. The DMA is now ready to run. Select Start DMA Service to start. Follow the link to go to IRIS Elements.

    There are also some optional Advanced Diagnostic Connection Tests available to run.

    Additional diagnostics can be performed to test:
    Request Service - to check the configuration is correct.
    Recipient Service - where the data from the products are sent when it has aggregated all the information.

Next step: Step 5: Migrate your data into IRIS Elements