When a business migrates its payments or cards processing system to a new platform, there can be some concerns. At Pismo, our focus is on addressing these head-on by allowing the migration process to be smooth and managing risks at every stage.
Once a client moves from their legacy platform to Pismo, we make sure that everything works post-go-live. Our structured approach provides peace of mind for clients, knowing we have the necessary safeguards and support in place.
Smooth sailing post go-live
One of the biggest fears for institutions happens right after the go-live phase. This is when the Business Identification Number (BIN) previously processed on a legacy platform transitions across.
At this point, the client’s cards are officially live on the new platform, and the system needs to ensure they can authorise transactions without any issues. Our big concern, shared by the client, is making sure all the necessary data has migrated successfully and that, on day one, the cards are approved, and transactions are processed smoothly.
This moment is important for both us and the client because it’s the first real test of the migration process in a live environment. At Pismo, we’re committed to making sure everything goes right from the start.
Want to know how to start your migration journey? Check out our first article on migration planning
Safeguards in place to ensure success
To mitigate the risk of any post-go-live issues, we take several key steps. First, after the client completes their tests in our extra environments—sandbox and staging—we move to final testing in the production environment. This testing phase typically involves friends-and-family cards or limited accounts that allow us to simulate real transactions.
Once the testing is complete, we migrate PCI data to the Pismo platform in production. At this point, the client retrieves data—such as card numbers, PINs, and CVVs—from our endpoints to confirm that the information has been correctly migrated.
This verification is critical to ensuring the accuracy of the data before we go live. By involving the client in the final checks, we work together to ensure that everything is set for a smooth transition.
What if the worst happens?
Although we take every precaution to avoid issues, things can sometimes go wrong. At Pismo we’ve never had to roll back a migration after go-live—and we aim to keep it that way. But if there were a situation where, for example, all authorisations were denied after go-live, we would coordinate with the relevant network to roll back to the previous processor. From there, we would investigate the problem, resolve it, and then retry the migration after a few days.
Rolling back after go-live is not a simple process. This is why we place so much emphasis on pre-go-live validation. We want to make sure everything is correct and fully functional before the go-live, so there’s no need for rollback. In case errors are detected during this phase, we can perform a smoother rollback while still in the validation phase, avoiding complications down the line.
What makes migrations different, and how does Pismo adapt to different business needs? Read here to find out more
Ensuring business continuity
Rarely do clients opt for the old-fashioned “big bang” go-live. For those who prefer a phased migration, Pismo offers a structured approach to ensure business continuity throughout the process. We strongly recommend clients run a pilot on the Pismo platform before migrating fully. This allows them to create accounts and cards, helping their teams familiarise themselves with how our platform works. Another strategy would be starting the BIN migration with fewer accounts, then migrating the larger ones.
The ProdOps team oversees this pilot phase, while the migration team works in parallel to make sure everything runs smoothly. By the time the full migration occurs, the client will have a deep understanding of the platform’s functionalities, minimising the risk of disruption to their business.
Post-migration support
Migration doesn’t end with the go-live. After the migration work is done, the Pismo platform takes over, but we don’t just walk away. We continue to follow up to ensure that all authorisations, clearing processes, and credit cycle closures go smoothly.
If any issues arise, it’s not just up to the implementation team to resolve them. It’s a joint effort between the teams in charge of authorisation, PCIs, and credit cycles. This cross-functional approach ensures that every aspect of the client’s operation runs seamlessly post-migration.
Prepare for success
Finally, one of the most important parts of a successful migration is making sure the client’s staff is prepared to use the Pismo platform. Throughout the migration process, we hold multiple calls to ensure the right people are involved. This includes both operational and development teams. Everyone needs to be aligned, ensuring that the migration is not just a technical success, but also that the client’s team is fully equipped to use the platform.
Migrating to a new platform is a significant step for any business, and it’s natural to have concerns. At Pismo, we understand these concerns and work diligently to mitigate risk at every step.
From thorough testing and safeguards to post-migration support and staff preparation, we’re dedicated to ensuring our clients have a smooth and successful transition. With our experienced team, structured approach, and attention to detail, clients can confidently embrace the Pismo platform, knowing they’re in good hands.
