Implementation Plan

Implementation Plan

1. Introduction

1.1Purpose

The audiences for the implementation plan are executive and IT staff. The implementation plan will help in the migration of data structures from an SQL server to an oracle 11g DMBS. The implementation plan identifies the software and hardware needed for the new system. It also identifies the recovery, back up and roll back plan that will be used if the implementation plan fails (Leon, 2007).

1.2 Systems overview

1.2.1 System description

The company database system was developed using Microsoft SQL server. The database was designed and maintained on Microsoft Server 2003 by a system provider the company contracted. The database contains data about customers, orders, products, shippers and suppliers. Employees at the home office and other sites located in different regions use the data. The employees access the database system using a virtual private network. The home office uses the data to track workers, customers, suppliers, and shippers’ information. It also uses the system to track product and orders information. The remote region users utilize the system to key in live data and get sales and order information needed. The remote region users and home office use the information to provide reports and information when requested by customers, shippers and providers. The database system will be migrated from the Microsoft SQL server 2003 to Microsoft SQL server 2008. The data structures and functionality will be ported to oracle 11g DBMS. The new database system will accommodate 200 users. The database system will be flexible to support almost 2,000 users of all kinds in the next 5 years(Burkey & Breakfield, 2002).

1.2.3Assumptions and constraints

It is assumed that the project will be implemented according to the schedule and the implementation will be successful. The implementation of the system might be affected by various factors. First, budget constraints might affect the implementation of the system. The cost of hardware and software needed might hinder the implementation process and hence make it hard for the company to migrate the data structures and functionality. Second, constrained associated with the system interfaces might affect the implementation. The employees might not have adequate knowledge to use the Microsoft SQL server 2008. Third, the availability of human resources and skills might affect the implementation of the system. The organization should have sufficient and skilled workers to implement the system. Fourth, the organization might not be able to meet deadlines and follow the implementation schedule (Burkey & Breakfield, 2002).

2. Management overview

2.1 Implementation description

The database system will be implemented using a phased approach. Phased adoption is a method used to implement innovation such as information systems and technologies in organizations in a phased manner. In this case, different sections of the organization are implemented in diverse subsequent time slots. Using the phased adoption has advantages and disadvantages. The phased adoption provides adequate time for adjustment as the conversion is conducted in parts. In addition, negative influences evidenced at the beginning are less critical. It also gives users sufficient time to adapt to the new system. Additionally, phased adoption enables technical staff to focus on a section of the system of users. However, phased adoption causes confusion among users as they use the old and new system. Also, various adjustments are needed. The accuracy and completeness of the dataset has to be checked often. Lastly, the implementation might not be clear for employees and users (Leon, 2007).

2.2 Major tasks

2.2.1Data conversion

The full conversion plus increments strategy will be used in data conversion. In this case, one has to run the full conversion procedures in order to take a snap shot of the existing database. Then the incremental updates will be applied against the live system based on activity. The incremental updates will be applied until the new database is finished and synchronized with the old database. The full conversion plus increments will be used as the data volumes prevent conversion of data within a short time(Leon, 2007).

Data migration is not an easy process and it has a negative effect on the organization if not done correctly. Data migration can result to errors if not conducted well and make it hard for executives to understand. Data migration solutions get data from the source system and migrate it to the new database system. In order to migrate the table / relationship structures one has to determine the source and target system., One should determine the version of the relational database system as there are different types. The logical structures of the source database will be loaded. The logical structures have database tables, attributes and relationships between the tables. All the properties of the database tables will be loaded including name, attributes, data types of attributes and size. After that, the relationships between the tables will be determined and loaded. The database tables will be combined to determine the relationship before loading them. Several migration tools can be used to migrate table structures and data from MSQL to oracle 11g database system. The freeware tool and SwisSQl can be used to migrate table structures and port data from MSQL to oracle database system. Advent SwisSQl is a migration tool that is the migration of structures and data across various databases. The tool can be used to migrate data from MSQL to Oracle database. The tool provides open and user-friendly migration. In addition, it ensures reliability and data integrity during migration(Leon, 2007).

2.2.2Security and privacy

The migration of the database system will enable regional employees to access the system via the web. The migrated system should be secure to ensure data is protected, and the implementation objectives are achieved. Database security entails more than securing the organizational database. It entails secure applications, database and DSBMS. In addition, database security entails secure O/S and web server in relation to the system. Also, it entails secure network environment in relation to the system. Data, user, and system security, will be maintained to ensure the implementation process is successful, and the organization achieves its objectives. Roles will help in managing privileges available to the database users. The users will be grouped into different groups and then roles defined for each group. Then privileges will be granted to each group based on roles. The migrated system will limit users to roles definite to their needs and access requirements. The users will only be able to access that is important in carrying out their roles. Hence, users will be able to access limited information. Customers, suppliers and shippers will only access some certain reports. This will ensure users do not access data irrelevant to their needs. Users will be required to provide authentication details such as passwords and user names before accessing the database. The database environment will be secure to protect the database system from threats. Secure O/S and web servers will be used to access the database system. Database administrators will have operating privileges to create files and delete. The database administrator will have operating privileges to change security domain of the O/S account. However, typical users will not have operating system privileges to create files related to the database and delete(Leon, 2007).

3. Implementation support

3.1Hardware and software

3.1.1Hardware

The organization should have adequate software and hardware resources in order to ensure the implementation process is successful. The hard ware includes computers, servers, peripheral equipment and diagnostic tools. The company will require almost 200 HP computers from Hewlett Packard to support the 200 users. Hewlett Packard offers different desktops including the HP pavilion p7-115 Desktop PC. The HP pavilion p7-115 Desktop PC is powerful and has a large memory of 8GB DDR3 and a big hard drive of 1.5 TB SATA. In addition, the PC has 3.1 GHz processor. Also, the PC supports a wireless LAN. The large memory and hard drive will support the oracle 11g database and store large amounts of information. Also, the PC is faster than other computers offered by competitors, and this will ensure users access data faster. The cost of the PC is $699.99 (Burkey & Breakfield, 2002).

Apart from the PC, the company will need HP monitors. The HP W2072a 20-inch diagonal LED backlit LCD monitor will be used as it is affordable and stylish. The monitor has a resolution of about 1600*900. The response rate is 5ms typical. The cost of the monitor is $159.99. HP keyboard and mouse will be used. The HP classic wired keyboard has quiet keys and is comfortable. In addition, the keyboard is resistant to spills and easy set up. The keyboard is also compatible with HP PC and non HP PC. The Longitech Trackman Marble Track ball mouse will be used. The cost of the mouse and key board is $29.99 and $29.99 respectively. Additionally, the company will need a Microsoft SQL 2008 server. The Microsoft SQL 2008 server will host the oracle 11g DBMS. The Microsoft SQL2008 server will be obtained from Microsoft Corporation as it is cheap and reliable. Further, a virtual private network will be required to enable users outside the home office access the database remotely. The virtual private network will consists of a VPN server which a computer that will accept virtual private network connections from clients. A VPN client which is a computer that initiates the connection to the server(Burkey & Breakfield, 2002).

3.3.2 Software

Moreover, Northwind Company requires software to ensure the implementation is effective. The software includes system software and operating software. System Software refers to computer software needed to operate the hardware like servers and operating systems. On the other hand, application software enables users to perform different tasks. Examples include Microsoft word, spreadsheet and excel. The operating systems to be used is windows XP professional. The cost of windows XP professional differs from one vendor to another. The cost ranges from $59.99 to $284.00. The Windows XP has a user friendly interface, and this will make it easy for users to use. The organization will use Oracle 11g database (enterprise edition). The cost for the enterprise edition is $40,000 per CPU and $800 per user. Finally, Northwind Company will need antivirus software to protect the network system and servers. MOVE antivirus by Mc Afee protects virtual desktops and servers from viruses. The antivirus is effective for protecting North Wind company servers and network system. The cost of MOVE antivirus depends on the number of nodes. The cost of MOVE, 11-25 nodes in a year is $29.52 (Burkey & Breakfield, 2002).

4. Personnel

4.1 Staffing requirements

IT staff including Network administrators and database administrators will play a crucial role in the implementation process. The IT staff should have sufficient knowledge and skills needed to implement the database. They should be conversant with MSQL and Oracle 11g DBMS so as to convert data and migrate table structures effectively. Also, the staff should be able to use different migration tools such as SwisSQL tool to port data and migrate tables (Wagner, Kung, Bhowmick, 2009).

4.2 Staff training

The IT staff will be trained on system hardware and support. The IT staff will be trained on how to use different hardware and install the hardware when implementing the database. For instance, the IT staff will be trained on how to use Microsoft SQL 2008 server, Oracle 11g DBMS among others. Also, the staff will be trained on how to maintain hardware and modify it.

5. Performance monitoring

The implementation of the database will be monitored to ensure the process is successful. This will help identify weaknesses of the implementation process and make the necessary corrections (Wagner, Kung, Bhowmick, 2009).

6. Risks

There are various risks that might affect the implementation of the database. Some of the risks are associated with the phased adoption and others data conversion and migration. Phased adoption makes the implementation process complex, and this might affect the implementation of the database. In addition, phased adoption is prone to mistakes as one can make mistakes when implementing the database in steps. Fall back is difficulty in later stages, and this affects the implementation of the database systems. Data migration is a sophisticated process that needs to be done logically to ensure the migration of table structures and data is effective. Database administrators follow several steps when migrating table structures and converting data. Failure to follow the steps might affect the migration and data conversion process. For instance, failure to determine the relationship between tables before migrating them might affect the data stored in the database. Lastly, disk failure might affect the implementation of the database system due to loss of data (Wagner, Kung, Bhowmick, 2009).

7. Database back up and recover

Organizations can lose data during migration and data conversion. North Wind should have a systems back and recovery to back up data and facilitate recovery of lost data. The company should make full back up of the databases. It should back up the changes and transactional logs. The company should have SQL backup software like EaseUS to do back up and advance server. The tool enables organizations to recover databases when servers fail. The tool enables SQL back up to tapes, hard disks, removable devices and network. Hence, the SQL database will be backed up before data conversion and migration of table structures to enable recovery of data in case of server failure (Rob, Morris & Coronel, 2012).

8. Rollback plan

The roll back plan will enable North Wind to use the old database system in case the migration and conversion of data fails. The conversion of data and migration might not be successful because of the risks above. The migration and data conversion might result to loose of data or partial conversion of data. This might hinder the users from accessing the data stored in the oracle database. Also, the users might not be able to log in to the new database system. In this case, the organization will use the old database system (SQL database system). The database administrator will back up the SQL database and use the data to restore the database in case the implementation is unsuccessful (Coronel & Rob, 2004).

9. Estimated cost of migration

The cost of migration is the total cost of hard ware and software.

Item	cost
PC	$699.99*200=$139998
Monitor	$159.99*200= $31998
Keyboard	$29.99 *200= $5998
Mouse	$29.99=$5998
Windows XP professional	$284
MOVE antivirus	$29.99
Oracle 11g database	$800/user*200=$160000
Total	$ 344305.99