AXIANT

Jack Noppe jackn@datasoft.co.za
Tue, 24 Feb 1998 08:06:21 +0200


Hi Carol,

We are currently in the process of migrating an existing (BIG) PowerHouse/Oracle application, which  runs on HP-UX and AIX to Axiant.

The final deployment environments will support HP-UX, AIX and Windows NT as a server.

Before I answer your question, I'd like to say two things:
1) Axiant 2.0x is a LOT better product than it's predecessors. (I've been working with Axiant since it's 1993 beta, under the name Dolphin)
2) No other product could hope to handle the migration we are currently doing (considering how little work is involved)

We have also been through the process of migrating from MPE/Image to relational (we chose Oracle). The work involved is very dependant on two things:
1) Where you're coming from, i.e. how does your current data design look. Normalization, redefines, arrays, etc. all play a big role.
2) How complete you want your relational migration to be. We took some(considered) shortcuts, and PowerHouse let us get away with it, but planning on using CURSOR's and moving some of the PowerHouse code(for example complex UPDATE procedures) into the database will be well advised if your application deals with sufficient data volumes (performance consideration).

If the Cognos sales staff who promised 99% portability had a decent look at your current application, and they are experienced in Image to RDBMS migrations, then fine. Otherwise ask them to be more specific about the 1%.

Good luck.
Jack Noppe.
Datasoft (Pty) Ltd
PS. Please feel free to e-mail me directly if you want more info, and you think it is too detailed to be of benefit to the rest of the group.


-----Original Message-----
From:	Carol Kaffenberger [SMTP:kaffenbe@kci.wayne.edu]
Sent:	Monday, February 23, 1998 6:28 PM
To:	powerh-l@lists.swau.edu
Subject:	AXIANT

PH7.29.C8 - HP3000 MPEix Release 5.5

We are planning to implement AXIANT for a 'mobile client' application
in the near future.  Our current POWERHOUSE programs on the HP access data
from an IMAGE database.  Our mobile application will need to access data
from a relational database (probably Sybase SQL Anywhere).  The
COGNOS sales staff assures us that AXIANT will allow us to use a copy
of the same programs on the mobile application and that it will require
only 1% change to handle the relational database and PC file structure.

99% convertability sounds a little too good to be true, so we would like to
talk with a few experienced AXIANT users.  If anyone is interested 
in sharing their AXIANT experiences, please let me know if I can contact
you by phone to get some detailed information.  Thanks!

Carol Kaffenberger
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Detroit, Michigan