Download Convert all ISRS application components to access an

Business Problem Solved
Database Conversion to Oracle
The value added by having a Uniface application solution
when converting from one database solution to another.
Dave Willford – Application Architect
Mark Malecek – Directory of Software Development
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities
Atlanta - June 7th, 2010
Database Conversion to Oracle
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities
(MnSCU)
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Comprised of 32 state universities,
community and technical colleges serving the
higher education needs of Minnesota, USA
MnSCU serves about 260,000 students per
year in credit-based courses and an
additional 164,000 students in non-credit
courses
 3000 back office campus staff administering
campus and student needs via a Uniface
application - ISRS
Database Conversion to Oracle
Integrated Statewide Records System (ISRS)

Home grown integrated client/server Uniface application used by
MnSCU back office campus staff
– Accounting (Payable, Receivable, Purchasing, etc)
– Human Resources (Student and Staff)
– Student Services (Admissions, Registration, Curriculum/Course, Financial Aid,
Grading, etc)
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2200 Uniface Components
600 COBOL Components
1500 Database Objects
At conversion time a handful of Java Web Applications
Pre-conversion: 36 Separate RDB databases, 32 of which are exactly
the same in structure (one per institution).
Slide for big flashy
message here
Database Conversion to Oracle
Business Problem – Convert all ISRS application
components to access an Oracle database rather than
RDB

Distributed RDB databases
– One per institution,
– On 4 distinct VMS servers
– Accessed by 2200 Uniface Components
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Migrate to one consolidated Oracle database
Data type differences, other than the obvious…
– CHAR -> VARCHAR
– VMS DATETIME -> TIMESTAMP(6)
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Current Uniface versions at project start was 7.2.06
Database Conversion to Oracle
Conversion Plan & Some Outcomes:
1.
Attend 2008 NAUUG in Detroit to ask about Uniface -> Oracle!
2.
Upgrade Uniface version from 7.2.06 to 8.4.06 accessing RDB
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Uniface 8 will play with Oracle much better (we were told)
Was an easy install and migration (assistance from Compuware for migration)
Very little application changes needed to run Uniface 8
No massive application code changes were needed
Had technical issues with VMS Urouter & Userver images (but got good support)
3. Migrate ISRS application code to Oracle
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Began real-time replication from RDB to Oracle months before
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Massive Uniface application code changes were required
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C to VC interface type changes for String fields
Remove <encrypt> trigger logic used to plant a space into a null field
Added <delete> trigger logic to accommodate new database security differences
Global Uniface code changes were simple compared to the heads down changes required in
the COBOL and database triggers!
Database Conversion to Oracle
Resources Used for Application Convesion:
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1 project technical lead (Dave)
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5 in house developers for Uniface application changes
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10 in house + 3 consultants for COBOL and DB trigger changes
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2 data architects and 2 physical Oracle dba’s
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25 BA, QA and User Support staff for testing
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Time Line - Project went a little long:
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Started March 2007 with POC, official project start was Oct 2007 with a proposed
end of Oct 2008
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Actual end May 2009
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A lot of work done in a short time!
Conversion costs were higher than expected (COBOL and
Database), Uniface cost was relatively low (unplanned issues).
Database Conversion to Oracle
How is Uniface helping
MnSCU?
 Data access is truly hidden
behind database drivers!
 Version migration works!
 Maximized staff
productivity!
 Minimal staff resources
needed for maintenance!
 The promise of new
technologies (U9 RIA)
Thank You
& Questions
http://www.mnscu.edu
[email protected]
[email protected]