Migrating Oracle Forms Using Oracle Application Express [Name] [Title] [Organization]

Review Oracle Forms Skip Overview of the major APEX Components – What is included in the tool at a high level Review

Oracle Forms Strengths Very stable product (Been around since 80s) Based on SQL & PL/SQL Still being developed (Oracle Forms 12c) Continues to be supported (Currently Premier Support Oct 2020) Best suited for heavy-duty, back-off applications Integration with desktop tools Very performant way to maintain Oracle data Highly productive for “power users”

Oracle Forms Weaknesses Issues with browser support (can utilize Java Web Start) Not available on mobile devices Business logic often “hidden” inside trigger logic Difficult to find skilled Oracle Forms developers New developers not interested in learning Oracle Forms For older Forms applications Often built non-intuitive runtime user experience (Query page / results page / edit page) Takes significant time for end users to become highly productive

Oracle Forms Prognosis No No Redevelop Forms with new apps in ??? Yes Are you on a supported version? Can you easily upgrade? No No Redevelop Forms with new apps in ??? Yes Yes Is Forms meeting all requirements? Are they net new requirements? No No Yes Yes Stay on Oracle Forms Keep Oracle Forms + Build new apps in ???

Oracle Forms Why upgrade Oracle Forms? Take advantage of new features and enhancements. Take advantage of performance and scalability improvements. Take advantage of easier integration with other products/technologies. Ensure compatibility with newer Oracle products. Ensure the highest level of security. Leverage a common application server (i.e. WLS). Obtain the latest patch sets. Take advantage of new platform certifications. Ensure access to uninterrupted support.

Oracle Forms Why move off Oracle Forms? Look and feel User Experience Non-intuitive Accessibility Responsiveness Back-office > Company-wide External requirements (Partners / Customers) Mobile Net new business Based on older Forms apps which have not been updated

Skip Oracle Forms Migration

Oracle Forms Migration Challenges Availability of Oracle Forms developers Availability of System Matter Experts (SMEs) Non-trivial = Significant effort and resources Ensuring new application implements all business rules Agreeing on new application look and feel Implementing new process flows Managing scope creep Getting buy-in from existing “power-users” Training end users (new and old)

Oracle Forms Migration Strategy Push as much business logic into the Database as possible Identify a suitable functional section for the Proof-of-Concept Secure SMEs for functional input and direction Train developers in the new technology DO NOT try and replicate Oracle Forms UI or UX Generally, bend the requirements, not the tool Ensure the new apps are modern Web apps – simple, intuitive, easy to use Ensure the apps work on any device – Desktop, tablet, smartphone

Oracle Forms Migration Advantages of Migrating to Application Express Build applications using SQL & PL/SQL Can utilize all existing Database objects Easy to train existing Oracle Forms developers Can readily co-exist with Oracle Forms applications Incorporates modern Web 2.0 capabilities Easy to customize theme / templates to meet required look and feel Responsive, including “mobile-first” if required Accessibility Can readily define client-side user interactivity Flexibility in platform for development / deployment

Oracle Forms Migration Migration Steps using Application Express Install Application Express into the Database Define APEX Workspace against appropriate schema(s) Convert FMBs, MMBs, etc to XML Load XML files into APEX Migration Project Annotate important business logic in APEX Migration Project Create APEX application(s) using Create App Wizard Enhance APEX applications Test APEX applications Train end users Roll-out applications

Oracle Forms Migration Converting Oracle Forms source to XML Run Forms2XML Utility Create APEX Project Upload Source Files Forms2XML Utility Available with Forms 9i and above May covert Forms 4.x & 6i If conversion fails may need to upgrade Forms first.

Oracle APEX Migration Project Migration Project IS Ability to upload Oracle Forms modules (in XML) Easy way to browse Forms application logic Convenient tool for annotating / tracking logic required in APEX application(s) Migration Project IS NOT A code generator (this functionality removed in APEX 5.1)

Oracle APEX Useful Links Collateral, Resources and Hosted Services Hosted evaluation site http://apex.oracle.com Oracle Technology Network http://apex.oracle.com/otn APEX Community http://apex.oracle.com/community Oracle Learning Library http://www.oracle.com/oll APEX Cloud Service http://cloud.oracle.com/database These are the primary URLs you need to get more information on Oracle Application Express!