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Customer experience | Sales, Customer Insights,...
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Data Migration from Outbound Marketing to Real-Time Journeys in Dynamics 365

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Good morning,

Currently, we are using the Dynamics 365 Customer Insights - Journeys tool, specifically the Outbound Marketing module. We have seen that this module will be removed, and therefore we need to start migrating the way we work to the Real-Time Journeys module.

Mainly, in Outbound Marketing, we use the following entities:

  • Contacts
  • Segments
  • Marketing emails
  • Customer journeys

My question is how to transfer all historical data from these Outbound Marketing entities to Real-Time Journeys. From what I have seen, all the data for Contacts and Segments is available when I access the Real-Time Journeys module, so I could continue using them in the new journeys.

How could I transform/transfer the data from Customer Journeys and Marketing Emails to the new entities in Real-Time Journeys? I would also need to include all the interactions (insights) that have been made with these entities.

Outbound Marketing Real-Time Journeys
msdyncrm_marketingemail msdynmkt_email
msdyncrm_customerjourney msdynmkt_journey
I have the same question (0)
  • Verified answer
    Daivat Vartak (v-9davar) Profile Picture
    7,827 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Data Migration from Outbound Marketing to Real-Time Journeys in Dynamics 365
    Hello vcamposp,
     
    You're right to be proactive in planning your migration from Outbound Marketing to Real-Time Journeys (Customer Insights - Journeys). The deprecation of Outbound Marketing necessitates a careful transition. While Contacts and Segments are generally accessible in Real-Time Journeys, migrating Marketing Emails, Customer Journeys, and their associated interactions requires a more nuanced approach.
     
    Understanding the Migration Challenges:
    • Different Data Models:
      • Outbound Marketing and Real-Time Journeys have distinct data models.
      • Direct 1:1 data transfer is not always possible.
    • Feature Discrepancies:
      • Some features in Outbound Marketing may not have direct equivalents in Real-Time Journeys.
      • You'll need to adapt your marketing strategies to the new capabilities.
    • Interaction Data:
      • Preserving interaction data (insights) is crucial for maintaining historical context.
     
    Migration Strategies:
    1. Contacts and Segments:
      • Availability:
        • As you've observed, Contacts and Segments are generally available in Real-Time Journeys.
        • These entities are shared across both modules.
      • Verification:
        • Verify that all necessary Contacts and Segments are present in Real-Time Journeys.
        • Check for any data discrepancies or missing information.
    2. Marketing Emails (msdyncrm_marketingemail to msdynmkt_email):
      • Manual Recreation:
        • The most reliable approach is to manually recreate your marketing emails in Real-Time Journeys.
        • This allows you to take advantage of the new email editor and features.
      • Content Migration:
        • Copy the content from your Outbound Marketing emails and paste it into the new Real-Time Journeys emails.
      • Template Adaptation:
        • Adapt your email templates to the Real-Time Journeys email editor.
      • No Direct Data Migration:
        • There is no direct data migration path for marketing emails.
      • Interaction Data:
        • Interaction data (opens, clicks, etc.) from Outbound Marketing emails will not be automatically transferred.
        • You may need to rely on reports or exports from Outbound Marketing for historical insights.
    3. Customer Journeys (msdyncrm_customerjourney to msdynmkt_journey):
      • Manual Recreation:
        • Similar to marketing emails, you'll need to manually recreate your customer journeys in Real-Time Journeys.
        • This requires rethinking your journey logic to align with the new journey orchestration capabilities.
      • Journey Logic Adaptation:
        • Adapt your journey logic to the Real-Time Journeys triggers, branches, and actions.
      • Feature Differences:
        • Be aware of feature differences between Outbound Marketing and Real-Time Journeys.
        • Some Outbound Marketing journey steps may not have direct equivalents.
      • No Direct Data Migration:
        • There is no direct data migration path for customer journeys.
      • Interaction Data:
        • Interaction data (journey steps, outcomes, etc.) from Outbound Marketing journeys will not be transferred.
        • You may need to rely on reports or exports from Outbound Marketing for historical insights.
    4. Interaction (Insights) Data:
      • No Automated Transfer:
        • Interaction data (email opens, clicks, journey steps, etc.) is not automatically transferred between Outbound Marketing and Real-Time Journeys.
      • Reporting and Exports:
        • Use Outbound Marketing's reporting and export capabilities to extract historical interaction data.
      • Data Warehouse (Optional):
        • If you need to retain interaction data for long-term analysis, consider exporting it to a data warehouse.
      • Limited Transfer:
        • There are limited options for transferring interaction data directly into Real-Time Journeys.
     
    Key Recommendations:
    • Phased Migration:
      • Adopt a phased migration approach.
      • Start with a small set of journeys and emails.
      • Gradually expand as you become comfortable with Real-Time Journeys.
    • Documentation:
      • Thoroughly document your Outbound Marketing journeys and emails.
      • This will facilitate the recreation process.
    • Training:
      • Provide training to your marketing team on Real-Time Journeys.
    • Microsoft Support:
      • Engage with Microsoft Support for guidance and assistance.
    • Third-Party Tools (If Applicable):
      • Explore third-party migration tools if you have complex data migration requirements.
     
    Important Considerations:
    • Feature Differences:
      • Real-Time Journeys has a different feature set than Outbound Marketing.
      • You may need to adjust your marketing strategies.
    • Data Loss:
      • Be aware that some data, particularly interaction data, may not be transferable.
    • Testing:
      • Thoroughly test your recreated journeys and emails in Real-Time Journeys.
     
    By following these recommendations, you can minimize disruption and ensure a smooth transition to Real-Time Journeys.
     
    If my answer was helpful, please click Like, and if it solved your problem, please mark it as verified to help other community members find more.
    If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.
     
    My response was crafted with AI assistance and tailored to provide detailed and actionable guidance for your Microsoft Dynamics 365 query.
     
    Regards,
    Daivat Vartak
  • Verified answer
    Holly Huffman Profile Picture
    6,520 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at
    Data Migration from Outbound Marketing to Real-Time Journeys in Dynamics 365
    Hi there! Good morning, evening, or afternoon - depending on where you are :) Hope you are well today!
     
    I understand the importance of ensuring a smooth migration while retaining historical data and insights. Here's how you can approach this:
    1. Contacts and Segments
    • As you've noted, Contacts and Segments are already accessible in Real-Time Journeys. You can continue using them without additional migration steps.
    2. Marketing Emails
    • To transfer Marketing Emails (msdyncrm_marketingemail to msdynmkt_email), you will need to recreate the email templates in Real-Time Journeys. Unfortunately, there isn't an automated migration tool for this. However, you can:
      • Export the content of your existing emails (HTML, images, and text).
      • Rebuild the emails in the Real-Time Journeys email editor, ensuring they align with the new module's capabilities.
      • Test the emails to confirm they render correctly across devices and email clients.
    3. Customer Journeys
    • For Customer Journeys (msdyncrm_customerjourney to msdynmkt_journey), you will need to manually recreate the workflows in Real-Time Journeys. This involves:
      • Mapping out the existing journey steps and logic.
      • Rebuilding the journeys using the Real-Time Journeys interface, which offers enhanced features like real-time triggers and AI-driven personalization.
      • Testing the new journeys to ensure they function as intended.
    4. Interactions (Insights)
    • Historical interaction data (e.g., email opens, clicks, journey completions) is not automatically transferred. To retain this data:
      • Export the insights from Outbound Marketing using the reporting tools or APIs.
      • Store the exported data in a data warehouse or external system for reference.
      • Use this data to inform future campaigns and strategies in Real-Time Journeys.
    Additional Resources
    • Microsoft provides detailed transition resources and guidance to help with this process. These include playbooks, documentation, and community forums.

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