05 Sep 2024

Comprehensive Guide to Migrate from PL/SQL to Informatica IICS

PL/SQL to Informatica IICS Introduction

Migrating from Oracle PL/SQL to Informatica Intelligent Cloud Services (IICS) is a notable transformation that can bring numerous benefits to an organization. The improved data integration capabilities, scalability, and cloud-based analytics are some of the key advantages of this fruitful migration.

Read on this guide providing a step-by-step approach to successfully migrate your existing PL/SQL-based ETL processes to Informatica IICS. The migration process is complex and requires careful planning and execution.

Migrating from Oracle PL/SQL to Informatica Intelligent Cloud Services (IICS) significantly boosts data integration and scalability. This transition enhances cloud-based analytics, providing key benefits for organizational growth.

Steps to migrate from PL/SQL to Informatica IICS

Below are the detailed steps involved in the migration of PL/SQL to Informatica IICS:

Step 1: Assess the existing PL/SQL environment

Inventory of PL/SQL objects

Begin by creating a comprehensive inventory of all PL/SQL objects, such as procedures, functions, packages, triggers, and SQL scripts.

Identify which objects are used for data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) and which ones are purely business logic.

Categorize objects by complexity

Group the PL/SQL objects based on complexity: simple, moderate, and complex. This categorization helps in planning the migration timeline and resources.

Identify dependencies

Identify all dependencies between PL/SQL objects, such as dependencies on database tables, views, and other objects. This will help ensure that the migration process maintains data integrity and performance.

Analyze performance bottlenecks

Step 2: Design the target architecture in Informatica IICS

Choose the right services in IICS

Informatica IICS offers various services such as Data Integration, Application Integration, and Data Quality. Choose the right services that align with your existing PL/SQL processes.

Map PL/SQL components to Informatica components

Map each PL/SQL component to its corresponding Informatica IICS component. For example:

PL/SQL Procedures -> Informatica Mappings and Workflows
PL/SQL Functions -> Expression Transformations in Mappings
Triggers -> Event-based Workflows

Design workflows

Design workflows in Informatica IICS that correspond to the sequence of operations performed by the PL/SQL scripts. Leverage Informatica’s drag-and-drop interface to design these workflows. It further helps ensure that each step in the workflow mimics the logic of the original PL/SQL code.

Plan for data quality and governance

Integrate data quality checks within the IICS mappings to ensure that data integrity is maintained throughout the migration process.

Step 3: Migrate and rewrite logic

Start with simple components

Begin the migration process by converting the simple PL/SQL scripts and logic into Informatica mappings. This will help the team become familiar with the tools and processes within IICS.

Convert complex logic

For complex PL/SQL logic, break down the logic into smaller, manageable components in Informatica. For example, nested loops in PL/SQL can be handled using multiple transformations and mappings in IICS.

Use Informatica transformations

Leverage the wide array of transformations available in Informatica IICS such as Joiner, Aggregator, Lookup, and Filter to implement the equivalent logic of the PL/SQL scripts.

Handle data loads

Use the Informatica IICS data loader to manage bulk data loads, which were previously handled by PL/SQL bulk collect or FORALL statements.

Test mappings and workflows

Thoroughly test each mapping and workflow in Informatica IICS to ensure that it produces the same results as the original PL/SQL scripts.

Step 4: Validate and optimize

Validate data consistency

Perform data validation checks between the source data processed by PL/SQL and the data processed by Informatica IICS to ensure consistency.

Performance tuning

Optimize the performance of IICS workflows. It covers adjusting parameters, optimizing SQL queries used in source/target definitions, and configuring proper indexing strategies.

Monitor and debug

Use the monitoring tools available in Informatica IICS to keep track of job executions and debug any issues. Further, these tools help ensure that the workflows run as expected.

Step 5: Deployment and go-live

Plan for incremental migration

If the ETL process is large, consider migrating in phases rather than all at once. This reduces risk and allows for better management of issues that might arise.

Train the team

Ensure that your team is trained on how to use Informatica IICS and understands the differences between PL/SQL and IICS environments.

Go-live strategy

Plan a go-live strategy that includes rollback plans in case of issues. Ensure all stakeholders are informed and that a support structure is in place.

Post-go-live monitoring

After go-live, closely monitor the workflows to ensure they are functioning correctly. Address any issues promptly to minimize downtime.

Ending Note

Migrating from PL/SQL to Informatica IICS is a multi-step process that requires careful planning, execution, and validation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, organizations can ensure a smooth transition.

It becomes easy to take full advantage of the cloud-based capabilities offered by Informatica IICS. This migration not only modernizes the ETL processes but also opens up new opportunities for data integration and analytics in a cloud environment.