See how ABCloudz can help you migrate from SAP ASE to SQL Server
Why migrate SAP ASE to SQL Server?
The number one reason SAP ASE (formally Sybase) owners migrate to Microsoft SQL Server is TCO.
Microsoft SQL Server offers broader-based functionality. Moreover, it proves to be more cost-effective than SAP ASE due to SQL Server’s “out-of-the-box” functionality without requiring additional purchases. By contrast, SAP ASE customers must buy additional features as expensive add-ons. When it comes to database support and maintenance, SAP ASE DBA expertise is significantly harder to find. Similarly, it is usually more expensive than a Microsoft SQL Server DBA.
In addition to SAP ASE being a legacy database compared to SAP HANA, you need to consider what will become of your SAP NetWeaver solutions if you are currently running with Sybase ASE. So, if you are running older versions of Sybase ASE with NetWeaver, you might be risking security and high availability compliance policies. It might be cheaper to consider going to SQL Server until you need to migrate your NetWeaver apps to S/4HANA.
Finally, if you are still using Sybase ASE with PowerBuilder applications, consider migrating to SQL Server. This is a process that we have fine-tuned. Consequently, it will help you get TCO under control.
Typical challenges that we see
Database migration is a daunting task with a lot of hidden issues and possible problems. With our extensive experience, we can overcome most of the database migration challenges that occur when you convert Sybase to SQL Server.
Challenge | Benefit |
|---|---|
Sybase ASE upgrade path | One thing we’ve noticed when talking to customers looking to leave SAP ASE is their reluctance to follow SAP’s available upgrade paths. SAP essentially recommends upgrading SAP ASE or moving to SAP HANA. As you may know, SQL Server and Sybase ASE share the same roots. So, migrating to SQL Server is less risky than going to SAP HANA. Therefore, to save on costs and gain more features, ABCloudz recommends migrating SAP ASE to SQL Server. |
PowerBuilder legacy applications | Companies who’ve built their applications on PowerBuilder might find it challenging to find legacy support while on the SAP upgrade path. To overcome this, ABCloudz recommends migrating PowerBuilder applications to SQL Server. To clarify, this typically means simply changing the connection string to point to SQL Server. |
High availability & disaster recovery | In order to satisfy compliance, companies may have to ensure their data and applications are highly available in case of natural disasters or unexpected issues. Older versions of Sybase ASE don’t have High Availability (HA) capabilities. So, this means that SAP ASE itself can’t be part of an HADR compliant infrastructure. By migrating to SQL Server with built-in High Availability capabilities, businesses can guarantee reliability and availability of their data during pressing circumstances. |
Meeting security standards | SQL Server has had the lowest NIST vulnerabilities over the past five years compared to all major database products including SAP HANA and SAP ASE. SQL Server supports features such as Always Encrypted, row-level security, dynamic data masking, transparent database encryption, and user-defined roles. These features guarantee migrating to SQL Server is the smart move if security is a concern. |
Getting started
The ABCloudz team uses a 12-step methodology to migrate applications and databases to a new platform. Moreover, we have proven it many times through our countless positive customer experiences. Our team completed multiple Sybase to SQL Server database migration projects. Moreover, we know all the workarounds you may need trying to convert Sybase to SQL Server.
We know what it takes to convert Sybase to SQL Server. Always looking for a way to simplify and automate these kind of projects, the ABCloudz team utilizes the following tools and services, which help optimize the Sybase to SQL Server migration process.
Sometimes you need a helping hand to get you started. Certainly, we know what it takes to convert Sybase to SQL Server. In addition, we know all the possible issues and the workarounds you may need. So, here are some of our offers to help with assessments, using SSMA, or developing a future-state roadmap.
Migrating Sybase ASE databases to SQL Server to increase system's performance
ABCloudz completed a project to migrate SAP ASE databases to SQL Server for our customer. Firstly, our customer faced skyrocketing license costs with SAP to renew their out-of-support server instances. So, our customer needed a way to migrate hundreds of SAP ASE databases. To make matters worse, our customer faced upgrading their out of support PowerBuilder applications.
By migrating to SQL Server on commodity Intel-based servers, our customer found that they could exceed their performance needs and lower overall licensing costs.
Check out the video to see how we approached the project to migrate SAP ASE databases to SQL Server.
Supporting your SQL Server solutions after the migration
As part of our migration project, we offer support, consulting, and managed services for your SQL Server solutions. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of maintaining the day-to-day operations of your databases and applications, be sure to check out our Operational Data Management service.