What is MS-SQL?
Microsoft SQL Server (MS-SQL for short) is a powerful and scalable database solution used in many organizations for its reliability, speed and flexibility. MS-SQL's key features include transaction processing, business intelligence and analysis, security, availability and scalability. It is capable of managing large amounts of data and offers a wide range of tools and APIs to develop and manage database applications.

A change can be worthwhile
Since Oracle changed its licensing model, there has been a general uncertainty among users with regard to licensing. Whereas with Oracle a complete server group has to be licensed, MS-SQL offers the possibility to buy only as many licenses as the company really needs. Thus, in some cases, MS-SQL is more cost-effective than Oracle, both in terms of licensing and support and maintenance.

An added value for companies
Microsoft SQL Server offers fast and reliable performance, especially when combined with the latest hardware and software technologies. It can also be easier to optimize and scale than Oracle.

The migration can be generally described in 3 steps:

1. Export of the data from Oracle and import into a MS-SQL instance (stage).
2. Migration of the data
3. Transfer of the migrated data into a new Teamcenter instance

After the data has been transferred to the Teamcenter instance, the migration is checked, for example by comparing the table rows. Once the verification has been successfully completed, final steps follow to ensure smooth operation with the new MS-SQL database.

In the migration method used, all database objects (tables, views, etc.) are migrated. An earlier concept document from Siemens and Microsoft describes this method. In the meantime Siemens prefers the method "Site-Consolidation". Nevertheless, we at DRWE have decided to use the database-level method, because the advantages over "site consolidation" outweigh the disadvantages.

By the way: This method is also used for a conversion to UTF-8.