Robert Pastor wrote:
>
> We're looking at using several different vendors to convert the data we
> have on IMAGE databases to Oracle databases running under Unix.  The
> vendors (most notably, Metalogic Systems and Cognizant) claim that they
> don't need to know the applications to do the conversion.  They have
> automated processes to catalog the data, then suggest data models for
> the Oracle tables.
>
> Naturally, the vendors promise that our applications will run faster w/
> Oracle and Unix than they do under MPE and Image.  (btw, thanks Richard
> Gambrell for your reply to David Debus original question - it was very
> timely, my management needs to see this kind of info).

We have other numbers that support the same conclusion, but the
differences in the applications are so great that it would be apples to
oranges.  But, producing an invoice is nearly identical, so it makes a
good comparasion.  It also clearly takes longer to enter comparable data
in the Oracle GUI Forms than in our interactive terminal screens, but I
don't have numbers on that one - and that is also likely an application
dependent things. These Oracle forms require use of F keys and
ctrl-nextpage combinations or mouse clicks that make data entry take
longer to key (due to moving the hand off the home keys).

>
> 1) Does anyone have any experience w/ these vendors or this type of
> conversion? Good things, bad things, tales of woe, precautions to take?

What not use the Oracle gateway on MPE to get to the Image datasets from
Unix just like it was Oracle?  Meanwhile, your MPE applications keep
running just like that do now.

>
> 2) Any other people that you would recommend that we look at?

Quest Software makes Bridgeware that replicates the data between Oracle
and TurboImage.  Please note, I have not used this product - just know it
exists.
--
Richard L Gambrell
Database Administrator and
Consultant to Computing Services at UTC

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