OS400/DB2 vs Windows/SQL

[Former Member]

I am currently running ECC 6 on an iSeries/OS400 with DB2. The system is adequate for the number of users that I currently have but i am about to add MM and SD to the system, therefore adding users, and do not belive that the system is sized adequately. I am in the process of sizing but also thinking of migrating from OS400 to Windows/SQL. I've done some research to see what is needed for this migration but what I'm looking for are opinions on migrating or war stories. I would like to know what your opinions are (should I stay with OS400 DB2 or jump to Windows), if you have performed a migration yourself, pros and cons to doing so, etc..

Also, can anyone point me in the direction of statistics that show what percentage of people run on the iSeries vs Windows?

[volker_gldenpfennig · Accepted solution]

Hi Bob,

first of all:

YOU should make a decision on the platform yourself and that should be definetely based on the knowledge in your company. There is no use at all with an SAP system, that nobody can support. If this works for both platforms, you could think on a migration.

Statistics are not out to my best knowledge, but that should not be the point here - the system should fit to YOUR COMPANY. Therefore, YOU need to be happy with that one.

You can run SAP reliable, fast & stable on any platform IF you and your consultants are used to that platform.

Pros & Cons ?

I would say, everything works the same from the standpoint of endusers. You in the basis will have to work a lot different ...

If you are using only official interfaces, the change is pretty easy. If you are using direct access to the database with DDMFs or CRTSAPLF or similar, this looks different, this all needs to be changed.

We did many migrations in all directions, but we never try to convince, or even worth - persuade - customers on such decisions. Customers have to make this decision (and later have to live with that) and then we can do the technical job, that is needed, in order to reach this goal on a reliable basis.

Regards

Volker Gueldenpfennig, consolut international ag

http://www.consolut.net - http://www.4soi.de - http://www.easymarketplace.de

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

We have made the decision to migrate to a Windows environment but the decision is based merely on cost and performance. We can manage either environment but are merely looking for other opinions that may enlighten us to something that we may not have considered.

[volker_gldenpfennig · Accepted solution]

Hi Bob,

I would say, this really depends on your system. We should discuss offline a bit on that, when you are interested ...

Regards

Volker Gueldenpfennig, consolut international ag

http://www.consolut.net - http://www.4soi.de - http://www.easymarketplace.de

[Former Member]

I have just completed my first OS/DB Migration from iSeries v6r1 DB4 -> Windows 2008 Server MSSQL 2005.

The experience is something worth noting. While I have completed many OS/DB Migrations I ran into things I had not seen before from the iSeries side and it's translation into SQL.

Vincent

[Former Member]

Thanks for all of the replies. We are in the beginning phases of migrating off of the iSeries, into a Windows/SQL environment.

[Former Member]

Hi Bob,

Good luck with the migration. Perhaps once the project is over you can post back here with your own experiences or "war stories". I for one would be intersted in hearing them.

Regards

Steve