database case study

Expertise in PowerBuilder Development

Consolidation & Migration of a 40-year-old de-normalized Oracle database to a target SQL database for a top US environmental services firm, challenged by integration issues stemming from 17 disparate applications post-acquisition, each with unique technological landscape setups. This necessitated an immediate consolidation and modernization effort.

Challenges

Unidentified Keys

The absence of primary and foreign key constraints in over 86% (1384 out of 1601) of tables leads to ambiguity in data identification and retrieval

Stuck in Slow Motion

Manually analyzing stored procedures written in an obscure SQL dialect was a slow process hindered progress and innovation.

Wasted Storage & Inconsistent Data

Tables have too many columns and lack a naming standard, causing inefficiency and maintenance issues

Poor Error Handling

Cryptic or non-existent error messages cause crashes when invalid data is entered, disrupting user workflow, and requiring restarts.

The Indexing Gap

Missing or outdated indexes make accessing data slow. outdated indexes not reflecting current access patterns,

Security Enhancements

User passwords are transmitted in plain text, allowing them to be intercepted and misused.

Solutions

Automated Database Analysis

Extracted primary and foreign key constraints, and mapped table relationships to provide a comprehensive view of the database.

Automated Analysis Acceleration

Automated the analysis of stored procedures and table mapping, significantly accelerating the process and overcoming inefficiencies associated with manual analysis in obscure SQL dialects.

Data Normalization

Implemented automatic identification and removal of redundant columns, and split tables into focused structures with standardized column names to enhance storage efficiency and query performance.

Enhanced Error Handling

Improved error handling with clear, actionable messages through automated recommendations, code snippets for specific scenarios, and reviewed existing code for potential weaknesses.

Query Performance Improvement

Enhanced query performance by identifying slow queries, implementing targeted indexes, and analyzing query patterns to update or create indexes on frequently accessed columns.

Indexing Optimization

Optimized indexing by analyzing query patterns to create new indexes and update existing ones for faster data retrieval.

Business Outcomes

25%

Improved Operational Efficiency

Database standardization across multiple systems reduced integration complexities, leading to smoother cross-departmental operations.

20%

Enhanced Data Security

Standardized user access management, encryption, and audit logging improved data protection and compliance with security regulations.

30%

Reduction Storage Cost

Streamlined data with normalization technique and removed redundant columns.

35%

Improved Documentation Efficiency

Improved maintenance efficiency through enhanced schema documentation and robust metadata management.

40%

Faster Query Performance

Enhanced query speed with optimized indexing and refined designs.

Case Studies

Explore how OptiSol has successfully transformed legacy PowerBuilder systems for our clients. Our case studies highlight the effectiveness of our approach, and the measurable benefits realized through our modernization efforts.