Benefits of Migrating Oracle Apex to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)

Scalability, security, and cost savings are highlighted in the blog’s Oracle APEX to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) migration. The low-code platform’s use for efficient application development is explained in this guide for APEX beginners. The blog also includes a case study of Value Global helping a client migrate their APEX platform from hosted to OCI, with practical tips and techniques for a smooth transfer.

🟩 What is Oracle Apex?
Oracle Application Express (APEX) has transformed low-code development platforms, changing how enterprise applications are designed and deployed. APEX has developed to meet business and technology needs since its founding. This progress has made APEX a low-code market leader with unmatched user-friendliness, powerful capabilities, and Oracle database integration. Developers with no technical knowledge may construct scalable and secure apps with APEX. Complex application development is simplified, allowing firms to quickly respond to market changes and internal demands. Agility is essential for companies to stay ahead in today’s fast-paced digital world.

Oracle Apex Integration with Oracle Platforms

🟩 APEX and Oracle Software Platforms: A Synergistic Relationship
Businesses may now maximize their Oracle ecosystem investment by integrating Oracle APEX with other Oracle software platforms. APEX’s seamless integration with Oracle ERP and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure improves the user experience and business processes. Data flows and management across Oracle applications are consistent, minimizing data silos and improving operational efficiency. APEX can let Oracle ERP users create custom applications to meet unique business needs without disturbing their main operating systems. APEX and Oracle’s software synergy enhances productivity and allows enterprises to innovate and customize solutions.

🟩 Leveraging APEX to Extend Oracle Platforms
Oracle APEX helps enterprises enhance Oracle software platforms. Organizations can create custom applications that enhance Oracle’s basic products using APEX. This plugin can automate corporate operations or create advanced reporting and data analysis capabilities. APEX’s flexibility lets firms create apps for their specific operational procedures, improving productivity and decision-making. APEX can be used to develop a bespoke data entry, reporting, or analytics interface for Oracle’s database services that matches their internal procedures and data structure. This customization lets firms maximize ROI and innovate with Oracle infrastructure.

💡Benefits of Migration of Oracle APEX to OCI vs. Other Cloud Providers

While various cloud providers offer hosting services, Oracle APEX in OCI presents unique advantages.
• Integrated Ecosystem: Oracle Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of services, allowing seamless integration with other Oracle Cloud services, such as Oracle Database, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Functions, and Oracle Cloud Storage.
• Autonomous Database Capabilities: Oracle ATP in OCI leverages autonomous database capabilities, automating routine database management tasks and ensuring high availability and performance.
• Optimized Performance: OCI’s infrastructure, tailor-made for Oracle products, offers better performance for APEX applications than other cloud environments.
• Enterprise-Grade Security: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure prioritizes security, offering advanced features such as data encryption, identity and access management, and network security controls.

🟩 General Benefits
• Managed Service: Oracle ATP significantly reduces operational overhead by managing infrastructure, upgrades, and maintenance, leading to a 30% reduction in administrative tasks.
• Scalability: ATP’s auto-scaling capability effortlessly matches the client’s growing needs.
• High Availability: Built-in high availability and automated backups in ATP ensure minimal downtime.
• Robust Security: ATP’s advanced security features address compliance requirements and protect sensitive data.
• Performance Optimization: Automatic indexing in ATP has boosted application performance by 20%.
• Reduced Management Overhead: The transition has allowed the client’s team to focus more on development and less on maintenance.
• Cost-Effectiveness: A 15% reduction in total cost of ownership was observed over a year.
• Seamless Integration: ATP’s compatibility with other Oracle Cloud services has enhanced the client’s technology ecosystem.

🟩 Security and authentication challenges in migration.
The migration presented unique challenges in security and authentication:
• Data Encryption: End-to-end encryption in OCI was implemented to secure data during transit and at rest.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM): OCI’s IAM provided stringent access control, defining user roles and permissions effectively.
• Network Security: Advanced network security features in OCI, such as VCNs and security lists, were employed to safeguard the APEX application.
• Compliance and Standards: OCI’s compliance frameworks facilitated adherence to industry standards and requirements.

Migration RoadMap: A successful migration requires a well-defined approach

• Assess Readiness: Evaluate the current state of the Oracle APEX environment, considering factors such as application complexity, database dependencies, and data volume. An in-depth review of the application’s modules was conducted.
• Design Target Architecture: Define the target architecture in OCI, considering factors such as Oracle ATP configuration, network setup, and security policies.
• Data and Schema Migration: Use Oracle Data Pump or other appropriate tools to migrate data and schemas to Oracle ATP in OCI. Ensure data consistency and integrity throughout the migration process.
• Application Migration: Update and migrate Oracle APEX applications to OCI. Modify configurations, update connection strings, and address any compatibility issues.
• Testing and Validation: Perform comprehensive testing to validate the functionality, performance, and security of the migrated applications. Conduct user acceptance testing to ensure a smooth user experience. Early identification of performance bottlenecks informed post-migration optimization.
• Optimization: Fine-tune configurations and settings in Oracle ATP for optimal performance. Implement best practices for database and application optimization.
• Access Controls and PL/SQL Code: Reviewing user roles and custom PL/SQL code was essential for smooth integration. Setting up Oracle Autonomous ATP To prepare for the migration, access to the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Console was obtained, and autonomous transaction processing was set up in the OCI console.

🟩 Migration Process at a High Level:

• Data Extraction and Transfer: Oracle Export Dump was used for data extraction, followed by transferring it to the OCI Bucket.
• Data Loading and Verification: After transferring, the data was loaded into ATP and verified for accuracy.
• Testing and Validation: Functional and performance tests ensured smooth operation after migration

🌎 Case Study of a Client’s Migration of Oracle Apex to OCI:
A client migration of hosted Apex apps to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) presented challenges that we wanted to share. The client hosted their APEX application on-premise, supporting Apex Application 18.x with Oracle Database 18C on Windows with basic HTTP. This setup became Apex 23.1 with load balancing and a vanity URL after migration to OCI ATP. They might create a custom domain name for APEX, database actions, and REST data services APIs. A “Vanity URL” or “Vanity Domain” lets companies promote ADB-based apps at an easy-to-remember URL that matches their brand. This transformation highlights the strategic benefits and crucial considerations of cloud computing.

💪Challenges and solutions faced in this migration:
• Data Import Failure: Resolved by performing a full export and import.
• Database Link Issues: Overcome them by using regional wallets for database links.
• Customization Adaptation: Code re-engineering was required to adapt to OCI Cloud components, such as shifting from Filesystem to OCI Buckets.

🚀Key Takeaway

The migration of Oracle APEX from on-premise to Oracle Autonomous Transaction Processing in OCI within Oracle Cloud Infrastructure represents a strategic move for organizations seeking enhanced scalability, security, and cost efficiency. By carefully planning the migration process, adopting best practices, and learning from real-world examples, businesses can unlock the full potential of Oracle APEX in the cloud and realize a substantial return on investment. The seamless evolution to OCI ensures that organizations are well-positioned to thrive in the dynamic landscape of the digital era.

🤝 Unlock the full potential of your business with Value Global, your trusted partner in Oracle solutions. Whether you’re aiming for seamless Oracle EBS integration, exploring the innovation of Oracle Fusion and Oracle APEX, optimizing Oracle databases, or embarking on a smooth cloud migration, we’ve got you covered.

Reach out to us at Sales@valueglobal.net to discuss how we can help you migrate your Oracle APEX applications to OCI.