The project
A complete Business Intelligence Suite – Ropardo: IS – is a Java application using Oracle as the backend database. As a BI solution, Ropardo: IS is covering the following main processes: it extracts enterprise data from various data sources, transforms the raw data into its own data warehouse and provides comprehensible business information in form of reports and charts, allowing detailed business analysis.
The extension of the company asked for better organization and performing IT systems.
Challenge
Ropardo AG, headquartered in Germany was looking to improve its B.I software, that is to make it run on top of PostgreSQL database, freeing it from being tied up to a single database product. With pre-qualified resources, and strong Oracle, PostgreSQL and Java skills, Nearshore-Romania was trusted to accomplish this task, and we succeeded in a fast and cost-effective manner.
Migration of the Oracle back-end database to PostgreSQL. The database migration involved about two hundred tables and views, and several PL/SQL complex functions. There were many technical issues like Syntax Differences, Data Types equivalence, Date/Time Processing, Built-in Functions, Null Values handled differently, Window/Analytical functions, PL/SQL vs. PL/pgSQL Differences, etc. Because no feasible solution for an automated migration was available, the team members had to perform a manual database migration, relying on their strong Oracle and PostgreSQL skills. Our team made sure that the resulting PostgreSQL database was equivalent, and thus expecting no impact to the front-end applications.
Porting the Ropardo: IS Java modules. This was a smooth process, the team being well prepared in all of the technologies involved. Obviously, support for Oracle was not dropped, instead a mechanism to select the proper SQL dialect for Oracle or PGSQL was implemented.
Very important were the testing and deployment phases. They were necessary to ensure that the behavior of the resulting B.I. system, running on top of PostgreSQL, was identical to the original system.
Functionalities
- detailed economic analyses at all company levels through KPI standard indicators and its own indicators
- drill-down function to display in-depth data
- analysis of deflective elements to identify weak points faster
- rapid determination of products with more or less success and the difference between them
- ad-hoc reports and warning reports
- automated generation of standard reports
- multi-dimensional analysis of current commercial activities with up-to-date figures, turnover evolution and values of the previous year
- definition of individual limit values and planning figures serving to warning messages
- open import interface facilitates data take over from various sourcesul
Ad-hoc report
Standard Report Monitor
Benefits
- efficient migration ensuring application and data integrity
- functional and look-and-feel equivalence with the original system
- open source database back-end as an alternative to Oracle
- improved availability and scalability of the application
SPECIFIC SERVICES
Software Consulting
Requirements management
System analysis
Risk analysis
Process management
Software Development
Software implementation
Software Services
Maintenance
Software tuning
User training
Testing & QA
Load/Performance testing
Standardized ITMS Services
Change management
Problem management
Incident management
Release management
NEARSHORING ADVANTAGES
- Quality custom software development
- End -user satisfaction
- Short time to market
- Quantifiable value
- Guaranteed performance level
- Reduced and controlled costs
- Managed risks
- Good value-for-money
- Flexibility