An Illustrative Product Concept by Mark Salmenson
Building MigrateNexus from concept to working prototype
MigrateNexus is a unified API platform that simplifies one-time data migrations between service providers by normalizing source data into a consistent format for easy consumption by target providers. This illustrative product concept brings the idea to life by addressing the customer problem, outlining the platform strategy, and providing working prototypes for multiple user personas. It demonstrates an approach to product and technology leadership that connects customer pain points, scalable architecture, and business value.
SYSTEM DESIGN
One connection point for many source systems.
MigrateNexus Unified Data Exchange
MigrateNexus collects data from multiple source systems, normalizes it to a unified schema, and provides service providers with a single, consistent connection point.
SOURCE SYSTEMS (examples)
Meridian HR
Payroll Bureau
Northstar
Workforce Engine
Catalyst Payroll
Payroll Bureau
Keystone PEO
PEO / ASO
MigrateNexus
Any Source. One Unified Schema.
Unified Schema
+ more fields available
employee_id
first_name
last_name
date_of_birth
email_address
job_title
department
start_date
salary_amount
employment_status
SERVICE PROVIDER (example)
Apex People Solutions
MigrateNexus serves as a schema normalization layer between source systems and the target service provider.
WORKING PROTOTYPES
Two prototypes. Two user flows.
The admin dashboard enables MigrateNexus administrators to onboard service providers, monitor active migrations, track errors, and manage provider configurations.
Sample JSON
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Download
For use in step 3 of the admin prototype.
The embedded connection flow resides within a service provider’s implementation portal, enabling clients to enter credentials, verify access, provide consent, and initiate the data transfer.
Integration Reference
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Download
Service provider API guide.
06
Communication
Translated a complex multi-party integration model into a simple architecture diagram that both technical and non-technical stakeholders can quickly understand.
05
Rapid prototyping
Built with Claude, delivered two high-fidelity interactive prototypes with field validation, realistic workflows, and complete end-to-end user flows.
04
UX judgement
Made intentional design choices, including when to display field-level details, how to present consent, and how to manage complexity without confusing users.
03
Technical fluency
Defined API authentication, field mapping, pagination, data transformation, and unified schema concepts at the appropriate level of product detail.
02
Stakeholder thinking
Designed for two distinct user groups: platform admins and clients, each with unique goals, contexts, and access rights.
01
Problem framing
Identified a complex migration challenge, clarified the user and business problems, and shaped a scalable product solution.
WHAT THIS DEMONSTRATES
Product Management skills in practice.
Product detail: As part of this exercise, I used ChatGPT to create a that breaks the concept down into epics, features, and user stories, each with acceptance criteria.
sample backlog
Close X
ABOUT MARK
The person behind the product concept.
I’ve spent more than 24 years working across product management and product development, not because I couldn’t choose a lane, but because the hardest problems often lie at the intersection of the two. That intersection is where product judgment and technical reality must meet, and where the right person can ask both "Should we build this?" and "Can we actually build this?" in the same conversation.
In practice, that means I can write detailed specifications and pressure-test them technically, earning the engineering teams’ trust because I’ve sat on their side of the table. I can identify architectural risks early, before they become product or customer issues, and I know when to push for clarity, when to challenge assumptions, and when to step back and let the team solve the problem.
Most of my experience is in HR technology. At ADP, I helped grow ADP Marketplace from its early days in the Innovation Lab, laying the foundation for partners to integrate with ADP. Later, I led product management for ADP's HR outsourcing division, overseeing data platforms, digital transformation, client success tools, and digital service delivery.
MigrateNexus is a personal product concept, built from a blank slate, to demonstrate how I approach platform strategy, product architecture, and user experience.
GET IN TOUCH
I turn complex product problems into clear strategies, practical solutions, and working prototypes. Let’s connect.
Mark Salmenson • Senior Product Executive • msalmenson@gmail.com
*MigrateNexus is a fictional product concept created to demonstrate product thinking and prototyping skills.
Prototypes built with Claude by Anthropic.
Integration Reference drafted with ChatGPT by OpenAI.
