Migrating from Oracle to Postgres with Prolifics and EDB

The Oracle Legacy and Why Organizations Are Moving

Since its launch of the first commercially available database in 1979, Oracle to Postgres migration has been a cornerstone of enterprise data strategies for decades. However, as the digital landscape evolves, many organizations are reconsidering their reliance on Oracle databases. The reasons for this shift vary—some are driven by technical limitations, others by licensing costs, or even ethical concerns. 

However, Oracle database migration is a complex task. At the core, databases power mission-critical applications that drive business value. Any database migration services must ensure the user experience is maintained or enhanced. This is where Prolifics’ meticulous Oracle to Postgres migration planning comes into play. 

Assessing Migration Feasibility 

Before any work begins, Prolifics conducts a comprehensive technical and commercial assessment to determine if Oracle to Postgres migration is the right decision. For example, if your organization relies on Oracle applications, you may be contractually bound to use the Oracle database. In such cases, migration would mean leaving the Oracle ecosystem entirely—a significant undertaking with higher business risks. Prolifics’ guidance ensures that you make an informed decision that minimizes risk. 

Key Steps to Mitigate Migration Risks: 

1. 1. Technical and Commercial Viability Assessment: Conducted before any work is initiated. 
2. 2. Comprehensive Code Assessment: Thorough evaluation of SQL code before any investment is made. 
3. 3. Automated Code Changes: Minimized manual intervention to reduce human error. 
4. 4. Expert Guidance: Experienced consultants are available throughout the process. 
5. 5. Detailed Project Planning: Fixed pricing and well-defined project plans to avoid surprises.

ADAM: The Automated Database Agnostic Migrator 

If Oracle is deemed suitable for migration, Prolifics introduces ADAM—the Automated Database Agnostic Migrator. 

Key Features of ADAM: 

• Automated: Unlike other tools, ADAM offers customizable automation, ensuring that each step is auditable and tailored to the application requirements. Instead of relying on a ‘black-box’ approach, ADAM provides transparency and flexibility. 
• Database Agnostic: ADAM operates on a hub-and-spoke model, converting multiple database types (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server, Db2) into an intermediate format before migrating them to the target database (e.g., Postgres, Aurora). 
• Migration as a Service: Prolifics doesn’t just provide the ADAM tool; we offer a complete database migration service. Our consultants analyze your database and guide the migration process, ensuring each line of code is correctly migrated. 

How ADAM Handles SQL Code: 

• Re-architecture Needs: For code that isn’t compatible with the target database. 
• Consultant-Driven Decisions: For scenarios that require expert judgment, such as distribution keys. 
• Application-Dependent Code: For conversions requiring application context, like numeric data types. 
• Fully Automatable Code: For straightforward cases that ADAM can handle without manual intervention. 

Where to Start: Selecting the Right Applications for Migration 

After deciding to move off legacy platforms, organizations often face the challenge of determining the best starting point. Years of experience have helped Prolifics and EDB develop proven criteria to identify applications ideal for initiating large-scale migrations. Factors such as dependency complexity, criticality, and workload compatibility are evaluated to ensure smooth transitions. 

How Prolifics and EDB Simplify the Starting Point: 

1. 1. Application Viability Assessments: Prolifics conducts upfront evaluations to identify which applications are best suited for initial migrations. 
2. 2. Global Expertise: EDB’s Professional Services team, with subject matter experts worldwide, supports every component of the migration journey. 
3. 3. Customized Operational Environments: EDB ensures the new environment meets high availability, scalability, and performance goals. 
4. 4. Migration Factory for Rapid Progress: EDB’s Migration Factory accelerates assessments and schema conversions, optimizing cost and time efficiency. 
5. 5. Tailored Services and Deployment Packages: Prolifics and EDB offer pre-packaged and custom solutions, ensuring deployment needs are met while maintaining minimal risk. 

By leveraging the right starting applications and a well-structured plan, Prolifics and EDB ensure migrations are both cost-effective and operationally smooth. 

How Prolifics and EDB Help in Moving Off Oracle 

Overcoming Legacy Constraints 

Legacy databases often present challenges related to licensing, portability, and innovation constraints. Traditional licenses can limit portability across virtualization platforms, cloud environments, and operating systems, restricting growth and scalability. Prolifics and EDB address these issues with comprehensive Oracle to Postgres migration strategies designed to eliminate bottlenecks and maximize flexibility.

Key Support Offered by Prolifics and EDB: 

• Strategic Planning: Prolifics develops detailed project plans to ensure smooth transitions without downtime. 
• Expert Migration Services: EDB’s Professional Services team brings global expertise to handle complex migrations, ensuring compatibility and performance. 
• License Optimization: Prolifics evaluates existing licensing models and ensures that new environments support scalability without vendor lock-in. 
• Enhanced Portability: EDB’s tools and processes ensure migrated databases are compatible across various cloud and on-premise platforms. 
• Ongoing Support: Both Prolifics and EDB provide post-migration services, including performance tuning, scaling, and support for future growth. 

Key Contributions from EDB: 

• High Availability and Management Tools: EDB provides robust management tools to ensure that non-functional requirements—such as management at scale, minimal downtime, and recovery objectives (RPO/RTO/GRO)—are effectively met. 
• Migration Factory: EDB’s Migration Factory accelerates database assessments and schema conversions, optimizing migration timelines and costs. 
• Global Subject Matter Experts: EDB’s global team of experts supports every component of the migration process, ensuring smooth transitions. 
• Customizable Packages: EDB offers tailored solutions, including pre-packaged services, custom statements of work, and ongoing expertise to meet all deployment needs. 

What Prolifics Offers 

Prolifics provides a comprehensive database migration service powered by ADAM to accelerate migration timelines and minimize risks. Our consultants manage the planning, data migration, code migration, and database tuning—leaving testing and application updates to your internal teams. If needed, we can also offer full testing services and application development. 

Migration Process Overview: 

1. 1. Initial Viability Assessment: A brief 30-minute consultation. 
2. 2. Environment Questionnaire: Gather details about your database and application. 
3. 3. Code Submission: Provide SQL code, including table definitions, stored procedures, triggers, and more. 
4. 4. Code Assessment: ADAM evaluates each line of code to categorize migration needs. 
5. 5. Migration Quotation: Prolifics issues a fixed-cost quotation for the project. 

Ready to Get Started? 

Download our latest one-pager on moving off Oracle to EDB Postgres with Prolifics. By leveraging this partnership, organizations can effectively reduce costs, enhance database performance, and minimize the risks associated with Oracle to Postgres migration.