Utility Speeds Legacy Modernization with IBM, ANTS 
One of the West Coast’s largest utilities is migrating more than a dozen business-critical applications that support billing, energy, retail, and other business operations with the help of IBM and ANTS software, a Big Blue business partner. The data migration and data consolidation solution is moving data from Sybase ASE 12.0 to DB2.
One of the West Coast’s largest utilities is migrating more than a dozen business-critical applications that support billing, energy, retail, and other business operations with the help of IBM and ANTS software, a Big Blue business partner.
The data migration and data consolidation solution is moving data from Sybase ASE 12.0 to DB2. At the core of the project is DB2 SQL Skin, a product co-developed by IBM and ANTs software for Sybase ASE-compatible applications for quick migration and to reduce the cost of maintaining legacy enterprise systems.
The utility used DB2 SQL Skin to migrate three Sybase ASE (Adaptive Server Enterprise) applications to IBM DB2 in less than three weeks, with nearly 100% compatibility. The utility also runs C++, PowerBuilder and Perl-based applications with Sybase ASE.
The utility (unnamed by IBM/ASE at the request of the client), found that migrating its data and applications manually to Sybase ASE 15 too expensive and time-consuming – mostly because of the customer’s a lack of onsite Sybase ASE expertise. The utility elected to use DB2 SQL Skin.
DB2 SQL Skin features include:
- Features to allow developers to reuse Sybase ASE skills for DB2.
- Accelerate migrations to DB2 by minimizing application code changes that are
- required.
- Rich support of SQL, stored procedures, data types, and security constructs found in applications compatible with Sybase ASE 12.5, or earlier.
- Full support for Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), .NET, JDBC, DB-LIB, and CTLIB (Client LIBrary) applications.
- Application transparency where few if any application code changes should be required; and application behavior should not change.
So how does this work?
A great explanation comes from Conor O'Mahony, Program Director for Competitive Marketing, Social Media, and Communities in IBM Data Management
Well, on the database client machines, IBM replaces the Sybase ASE client with a compatibility services client. And, on the database server, a compatibility services module runs in DB2. The new client hides the fact that the database, triggers, and stored procedures are now running on DB2 instead of Sybase ASE. Our experience thus far is that, for the most part, the application code remains unchanged.
The DB2 SQL Skin product for Sybase ASE 12 was release last May. At the time ANTS CEO Joseph Kozak said of the jointly-developed product, "IBM's global reach and support coupled with the unmatched technology and cost advantages delivered by ANTS innovations creates a powerful new offering for global enterprises."
