 Microsoft
Access Focus Area
Introduction
This focus area provides hints and tips about
migrating from Microsoft Access to Oracle.
What is involved in a migration from
Microsoft Access to Oracle?
A migration from Microsoft Access to Oracle
can involve the migration of the database only or
the migration of the database and
the front-end application, that is, the Forms and Reports.
Are there any tools available for the
migration of the database to Oracle?
When migrating the database only,
you should use the Oracle
Migration Workbench (Migration Workbench). The Migration Workbench
includes two wizards that guide you through the database migration
in a step-by-step manner.
Can I perform the entire database migration
using the Oracle Migration Workbench?
Yes, you can perform the migration of the
entire Microsoft Access database using the Migration Workbench.
It supports the migration of the data, tables, indexes, validation
rules, relations and link tables from Microsoft Access to Oracle.
For more information about how the
Migration Workbench performs the migration, take a look at this
diagram.
If I perform a database-only migration,
can the users continue to use the existing application?
The Migration Workbench extracts the database
data and schema from the source Microsoft Access database and then
populates the new Oracle database with this data and schema. The
Migration Workbench then modifies your existing Microsoft Access
application to point to the new Oracle database. This means that
the migration is seamless to the end-user who continues using the
original application to retrieve information from the database.
What versions of Microsoft Access are
supported by the Migration Workbench?
The Oracle Migration Workbench can migrate
Microsoft Access 2.0, 95, 97 and 2000 databases to either Oracle8i
(8.1.7 upwards), Oracle9i
or Oracle10g
How can I migrate my Microsoft Accesss
database and application?
When migrating the database
and the application, you should use the Migration Workbench
to migrate your database as outlined above. You should then contact
one of Oracle's partners to discuss using their services for the
application migration. Oracle works closely with the following partners
who offer migration solutions to customers who want to move away
from Microsoft Access. For the latest list of complementary partners,
check out the Oracle
Migration Solutions Directory.
-
FreeSoft
FreeSoft
offers an automated application converter for Microsoft Access.
This migration tool is called A2J and it translates the
Microsoft Access application objects and the corresponding Visual
Basic code to Java.
- Diamond Edge
The Diamond
Edge solution for Microsoft Access is called Access
Converter, Java Edition. This is a Microsoft Access 97/2000/2002
database add-in that converts Microsoft Access forms, modules
and macros to Java. Reports are also converted to Crystal Reports.
Diamond Edge also offer solutions to migrate Visual Basic applications
to Java and ASP applications to JSP
What is involved in the migration of
the application?
Both FreeSoft and Diamond Edge offer migration
services that include the analysis, migration and testing of your
database as outlined below:
| 1. |
Analysis
During the Analysis, you give your Microsoft Access application
to the partner company so that they can assess what is involved
in the migration and give you an idea of the time frame and
budget for the project. They will also give you an idea of the
manpower that will be required during the testing phase. |
| 2. |
Migration
Once the project has been analyzed and you have agreed a price
for the migration, the partner performs the migration of your
application and then returns the migrated system to you. |
| 3. |
Testing
Once the application has been migrated by the partner, it is
up to you to perform testing. |
Is there any way of knowing how long
a migration will take or how complex it will be?
The timescale and complexity of your migration
project will be determined by the size and complexity of your database
and application, and by whether you choose to migrate the database
only or the database and application.
What do I need in order to begin a migration?
You should follow the steps outlined below
to begin your migration:
| 1. |
Download and install the Migration
Workbench. |
| 2. |
Ensure that you have a Microsoft
Access ODBC driver installed on the machine on which your source
Microsoft Access database resides. |
| 3. |
Read the Migration Workbench
release
notes for information about hardware and software requirements
and the installation and configuration process. |
| 4. |
Contact one of the Oracle partners
to discuss your application migration if applicable. |
|
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