Glenn CernyChief Information OfficerLansing Community College
Jennifer PiercePortal/Web/HTML DB DeveloperLansing Community College
Scott SpendoliniSenior Product ManagerOracle Corporation
Migrating from Microsoft Access to Oracle Database 10g on the Web with Oracle HTML DB
Agenda
Introductions Migrating MS Access to Oracle HTML DB HTML DB at Lansing Community College
– Why Oracle HTML DB– New Development– Demonstrations
Questions & Answers
Other HTML DB Presentations
Introduction to Oracle HTML DB– Brad Brown, 4:30PM today, Room 2001
Oracle HTML DB Advanced Features– Tony Jedlinski, 8:30AM tomorrow, Room 2001
Oracle HTML DB: New Features Explored– Sergio Leunissen, 11:00AM tomorrow, Room 2001
Building Database Centric Web Applications with Oracle HTML DB
– Craig Hollister, 1:00PM tomorrow, Room 2001
O R A C L E H T M L D B
Microsoft Access Migration
Access Password “Recovery”
About $15 Many variations Also available for
other MS Office Components
If your data is worth less than $15, MS Access is a good place to store it
Four Steps to a Successful Migration
1. Analyze
2. Design
3. Migrate the Data
4. Migrate the Application
1) Analyze
MOST IMPORTANT STEP– If this is not done or done poorly, you will have a
poorly designed HTML DB Application!
Analyze both the Data Model and Application Decide if you can consolidate several MS
Access Applications into a single HTML DB Application
2) Design
Application Design– Many constructs of MS Access do not translate
to the web– There is not necessarily a 1-to-1 relationship
between an MS Access form and an HTML DB Form
– HTML DB Reports can replace several MS Access Reports
– Forms built in MS Access to manage LOVs can be managed as LOV natively in HTML DB
2) Design
Database Design– Good database design is fundamental to a good
application– Many MS Access Applications are written by
people who don’t know a lot about data modeling – HTML DB wizards prefer numeric Primary Keys
automatically populated via a Trigger– Normalize data where appropriate
3) Migrate the Data
Use the Oracle Migration Workbench to move the data from Access to Oracle
If you need to change the data model:
– Migrate ALL of the tables to Oracle
– Make changes on the Oracle side via SQL Workshop
4) Migrate the Application
Create an HTML DB Workspace based on the schema that the Migration Workbench created
Create an Application on this Workspace Use the Wizards to quickly re-create the
Forms and Reports in HTML DB
Southwind Wholesalers Conversion of MS Access Northwind Traders Sample
Application Took about a day to fully convert all data, reports,
business rules HTML DB application has more functionality
– Drill Down Links– User Security– Data Concurrency– Scalability
Available on HTML DB Studio (http://htmldb.oracle.com/studio)
Summary
It’s all about the data model! A little planning will go a long way There is more than one way to migrate an
application – keep the client involved so as to not build something they will not want/like
Master-Detail wizard is coming in version 1.6– Make sure to see Sergio’s New Features
Presentation, 11:00AM Tomorrow, 2001 or stop by the DEMOGrounds to see Release 1.6
O R A C L E H T M L D B
HTML DB at LCC
Why did LCC Select Oracle HTML DB?
Reusable and accessible format– Underlying Oracle Database– Easily access other Oracle apps data
Web-based– Many apps moving to the web– Considered more user friendly than forms
Cost– No additional software required– 10g Companion CD– Utilize non-developers
Why did LCC Select Oracle HTML DB?
Eliminate “Shadow Systems”– 4000 + Microsoft Access databases– Shadow Systems Required additional hardware
(servers)
Quickly build applications– Wizards– Re-Use Existing apps or parts of existing apps
Improved User Feedback
Prior to Oracle HTML DB, Users would create applications and then ask IT to manage/fix/own them
After Oracle HTML DB, users are proactively seeking out IT for application development assistance
– Much More Manageable– Controlled Development Environment
“We have been able to develop and
deploy three production systems
in two to three weeks.”
“We have been able to develop and
deploy three production systems
in two to three weeks.”
- Glenn Cerny, CIO, LCC
D E M O N S T R A T I O N
Project Tracker
Project Tracker
Development– Existing Oracle HTML DB Studio application– Development: 0 hours – Tweaking: roughly 5 hours
Audience– Technical skill level
Existing Application– Existing application was Microsoft Project
Project Tracker
Integration with other Oracle apps– Utilize LDAP Groups for authentication– Working on Single Sign On thru Portal
What we use this app for– College-Wide technology project management
Why we converted to Oracle HTML DB– Needed a Development Language that is
understandable– Need accessible application
Project Tracker
Project Tracker Demo– Demo Update and Add– Demo Reports– Demo Admin
D E M O N S T R A T I O N
Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning
Development– Development Time: 4 hours– Customization & Tweaking: ~ 20 hours
Audience– LCC Executives– Board of Trustees
Existing App– None (users requested MS Access)
Strategic Planning
Integration with other Oracle apps– Utilize LDAP Groups for authentication– Working on Single Sign On thru Portal
What we use this app for– Strategic Planning is for LCC’s Drivers &
Initiatives– To ensure activities are consistent with common
goals– Allows the President to see what is happening in
real-time
Strategic Planning
Why we converted to HTMLDB– Did not want to build new applications in MS
Access as it is too difficult to deploy and manage– Ability for End Users to Quickly access
applications via Portal– Easier to use Oracle HTML DB than MS Access,
as user base is not very technical
Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning Demo– Demo Update and Add– Demo Reports– Demo Admin
“With Oracle HTML DB, we were able to quickly
build a collaborative tool which increased communication and awareness among
senior executives and the community.”
“With Oracle HTML DB, we were able to quickly
build a collaborative tool which increased communication and awareness among
senior executives and the community.”
- Paula Cunningham, President, LCC
D E M O N S T R A T I O N
Strategic Renewal
Strategic Renewal
Development– Development roughly 1 hour– Tweaking roughly 5 hours
Audience– Low technical skill level
Existing Application– 8 ½” x 11” Paper
Strategic Renewal
Integration with other Oracle apps– Utilize LDAP Groups for authentication– Delivered the application through Portal via iFrames
What we use this app for– Gathering input from our executives– Introducing them to the benefits of this technology
Why we converted to HTMLDB– Need a Development Language that is understandable– Need instant feedback on data
Strategic Renewal
Strategic Renewal Demo– Demo Portal integration– Demo Excel integration– Update and Add– Demo Reports– Demo Admin
Summary
With Oracle HTML DB, Lansing Community College was able to:
– Save Money– (Start to) Remove MS Access– Build Applications we couldn’t before– Increase Productivity– Gain Prestige for the IT Department
AQ&Q U E S T I O N SQ U E S T I O N S
A N S W E R SA N S W E R S