Hi Russell,

Adding to what Sugumar may have been alluding to previously, I would also
recommend against migrating to SQL2000 for the following reasons:

1. MS-SQL Server in general is not as robust a package as Oracle is,
especially for a warehousing operation. If you are looking for
alternatives, might I suggest taking a serious look at SAPDB (commonly used
for APO)?

2. The long-term costs of MS-SQL Server and Oracle are often not easily
recognized. SAPDB, btw, is still freely licensed as far as I know.
Other costs to consider:
Oracle DBAs tend to require a higher salary, but that is why there are
more Oracle DBAs then MS-SQL DBAs.
Backup / Restore operations are much better with Oracle than in SQL2000.
SQL2000 does not have, RAC, RMAN, exp/imp, nor a concept of archive logging.
SQL2000 does have a VDI (Virtual Device Interface) through which one may
take snapshot backups, but this is very high-end function supported only by
a few high-end disk vendors - EMC, HDS, IBM, etc. Basic backup & restore
operations, which are what 80% of IT shops out there do not have a grasp on,
are the point at which one should start. Once a base is built, then one can
go on into the higher grounds of snap-shotting and other methods to reduce
backup time-frames. SQL2000 has a online backup method, but it still pales
in comparison to the other tools and utilities offered by Oracle (and
brbackup/brarchive).
DB upgrades - with Oracle, you are much less likely to be tied down to a
specific O.S. Whereas, Microsoft may say, okay you want to run MS-SQL 2003?
then you need to upgrade your O.S. to Windows 2003 Super Advanced Server
with a pricetag of $$$. Upgrading Oracle may also force you to upgrade
your O.S., but more than likely it will not cost as much as the Windows
upgrade. Furthermore, Oracle is more likely to support older O.S. revisions
than Microsoft does (has to).
DB maintenance - Oracle has several tools to help make the database run
smoothly. One can easily rebuild indexes, add/remove redo logs with ease,
set the ratio of free space for later table deletions and insertions
(PCT_FREE / PCT_USED), etc. SQL Server has the DBCC utility.
DBA work - Oracle DBA work is often done via the command line. SQL2000 is
nearly always GUI-based operation. But, since we are talking about SAP
here, this is mostly a mute point. Still, when DB access is necessary, I
personally find it much easier to quickly type SQL statements via CLI, than
to what for a GUI to load up stuff... particulary in SAP where you have
1000s of tables and indexes to work with. The Enterprise Manager of SQL2000
is not the best utensil to work with... neither is the Query Manager.

3. SQL Server limits your O.S. platform to Windows. For me, as a sys-admin
/ DBA, this would drive me nuts. All future upgrades (hardware / software)
must take this into account.

4. Even though the site is a Microsoft shop, that does not mean there is
not room for alternative, and often better choices out there.

5. If cost IS a major concern, why not (Suse) Linux + SAPDB?

Just some things to ponder. In my experiences of using MS-SQL Server 7 &
2000, and Oracle 7.x+, if I were a DBA, I would still pick Oracle. Even if
it had a higher sticker price initially.

Mark Brown
Bakbone Software

-----Original Message-----
From: Russell Brown via sap-r3-bw [mailto:sap-r3-bw@OpenITx.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 4:33 PM
To:
Subject: [sap-r3-bw] Re: BW - converting from Oracle to MS SQL2000 database
platform


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Hi Sugumar,

There are two reasons:
1) The company is a Microsoft and SAP shop and therefore would like to
standardise on MS SQL 2000.
2) The costs of maintaining Oracles licenses is huge compare to the cost of
MS SQL 2000

My concern with this migration is that MS SQL 2000 is not thoroughly
confirmed as a data warehousing platform.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Regards,
Russell.

-----Original Message-----
From: SUGUMAR SELAM via sap-r3-bw [mailto:sap-r3-bw@OpenITx.com]
Sent: 23 July 2003 16:36
To: Russell Brown
Subject: [sap-r3-bw] Re: BW - converting from Oracle to MS SQL2000
database platform


Read today's most popular SAP news story.
http://SAP.ITtoolbox.com/r/da.asp?r=3628

Could you please tell us why your company moving
from Oracle to MS SQL 2000.