Migrating your database to SQL Server

New compelling features and functionality introduced by SQL Server in its releases of 2005 & 2008 have made people think and migrate their Data Platforms, So if you're using Oracle, Sybases or even MS Access you need a lot of help in Migrating your Database to SQL Server and if its a live production system have data in TBs with hundreds and thousands of Stored Procedures, Functions, Tables, Views, Constraints etc .. then what would be coming in to your mind?, exactly ! after migration affects, consistency, durability and ensuring that every bit and piece has been migrated properly..

Such a case makes life miserable and its a huge work load to migrate your systems running since years & years and nobody knows the success ratio ...

Microsoft ships a tool with the name SSMA and it has different versions for Oracle, Sybase & Access, i have had the chance to play with SSMA for Oracle, a simple tool very easy to install, you are simpy required to connect your Oracle database and SQL Server Database in two panes, once it is connected, Select objects from Oracle first Migrate the Schema & then Click Migrate Data. It is a simple click process, time depends upon the complexity of objects .. the oracle datatypes are smoothly converted into SQL Server equivalent Datatypes and same is the case with other objects like SPs and Functions, even the business logic is also transformed ...

The suceess ratio varies around on an average and mostly is 100% but the best part it the Analyzer provided in this tool actually highlights those objects which are unable to be transferred accurately..

May be 2 to 3 % of Migration needs to be done manually depending upon the way you have been using the Database, however such a tool is a great blessing when one needs to migrate live running production systems to a new DB Platform ..

Using the same tool test cases can be developed and executed to confirm your migartion success.

For further details visit http://www.microsoft.com/Sqlserver/2005/en/us/migration.aspx

Here you will find Case Studies, Success Stories, White Papers and Manuals to facilitate you using this tool..

Any help you require while using SSMA for Oracle, hit me back !