Apr 22, 2020
• Oracle Development Geek for 15 years.
• 6 years at Oracle as a senior support analyst and local product
manager of Forms and ADF.
• CEO and Founder of AuraPlayer - Addressing Oracle Forms
modernization challenges encountered at blue chip customers
• Board member of ODTUG, Leader of the ilOUG Oracle
Developer Group and presenter of Oracle tools at international
conferences OOW, Kscope, UKOUG …
What is your current Oracle Forms / Oracle EBS Version ?
Are you interested in mobility , Webservices or both?
Have you begun to think about future strategy?
Do you have ADF / APEX developers in house?
Have you begun to think about migration
About You
Customer Pain PointsWhere are we now?
Systems were developed years ago: Look antiquated, lack functionality
Businesses processes, trapped in Oracle Forms
Migration to a new technology challenging, risky and costly, not always
possible
No documentation and original developers are no longer available
Oracle Forms does not support mobile devices
Customers lack clear vision from Oracle how to move forward
Where Are We Going?
Our Game Plan:
Oracle Forms
In the beginning…
1981 1999 20141991
Oracle Forms
Statement of direction
Oracle 8
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/issue-archive/2010/toolssod-3-129969.pdf
Our Game Plan:
Clean UpDon’t Migrate/Upgrade What’s Not in Use
• Are any modules obsolete?
• Review usage of the system
• What forms are now obsolete?
• What reports are not run?
• Do we will use PLL / OLBs?
• Remove dead code
• Delete multiple copies of same sources
• Merge forms that perform similar tasks
• Systems replaced by packaged apps?
Our Game Plan:
Why Upgrade Your Forms?
• Ensure support (C/S de-supported 2004/10g Dec. 2011)
• Certification – New browsers, O/S, Java versions
• New features - SOA, REUI, JavaScript
• Strategic Middleware - Runs on WebLogic
• Upgrade is Seamless from 10g to 11g
• Platform for integration
• Ensure the highest level of security
Oracle Forms
9i/10g
IAS
Forms 11g
Weblogic
Server
Forms 3.0
Oracle Forms
4.0 – 6i
Client Server
Upgrade RoadMap
Suggested Work Plan
• Backup ALL related files !!
• Pilot Upgrade of application (50-100 forms)
• Clean up environment – unused, dead code
• Check forms for C/S or OS Specific features
• Get an estimate of the work, time, cost
• Freeze C/S - all new developments should be web
• Modernize Look and Feel of the application
• Do full upgrade in modules / Phases
• Testing should be with each module!
• Do Production Pilot (Phased rollout)
Our Game Plan:
Forms Look and Feel Modernization
• Toolbar and navigation
• Look and Feel Project
• Color / Font / Size
• Prompts / Titles
• Images
• Frames
• OLB, templates for visual standards
Summit Demo - Modernization
Yes - Java in Forms!
Java Beans
– Java Bean Area - layout object on canvas
– Use custom trigger to get and set properties
PJC – Portable Java Component
– Change default behavior/properties of objects
Java Classes – Run webservices
– Run Java code in forms triggers
– Java importer – PLSQL java wrapper
JavaScript
– Interact with objects in the browser page - Maps
Java Beans & PJCs
Java ImporterImporting Java Classes into Forms
WebservicesCall External Services From Forms
package CurrencyConverter
/* currconv3.mypackage.CurrConv3Stub */ IS
function new
return ora_java.jobject;
function
getrate( obj ora_java.jobject,
a0 varchar2, a1 varchar2)
return ora_java.jobject;
end;
Run external Webservices from within Oracle Forms triggers
• Create a Web Service
proxy in Jdeveloper
• Call the WS client from the Forms
application using the Java Importer
JavaScript IntegrationTwo way client Side communication
Oracle Forms EventsHighly Available Asynchronous Communication
Using Events in Forms
Our Game Plan:
Hybrid Options
• Living Side By Side Forms running alongside new technologies
• Visual IntegrationCreate a common UI –Forms & ADF/APEX/Java
• Process / Service Integration
Run common business logic DB/Events
• InnovationRun Forms business process from new environments - AuraPlayer
Forms & External Apps Living In Harmony
Form System External System
Security / Management
Web.show_document
Common Bus LogicAQ Messages
web.javascript_eval_expr
What is Visual Integration?
Portal \ Unified Desktop \ Dashboards
Concept
• Integrating Oracle Forms and Other Technologies Into a single user experience
• One point of access - SSO
• Customized based on users business needs
Implementation• iFrames
• Javascipt
• guiMode – Remove menus
• OraFormsFaces
Process / Service IntegrationShare Forms Business Logic – SOA / BPM
Concept
• Reuse the business logic locked inside your Forms –
Separate GUI from business logic
Implementation• Decoupling – Remove and Centralize bus logic to DB – 3rd party tools
• Events – Use AQ events for messaging
• JavaScript
Our Game Plan:
How Do We Get Forms Users Here?
Understand Your Business Needs
Observe real end users doing real work: Can we make them more productive?
Watch surrounding and environmental challenges: Can we improve employees user experience.
Are users missing data to do their jobs?
Enhance data gathering: cameras, SMS, social media, personal , location, voice
Types of Users – Occasional, Internal/external
Analyze Your Mobile Needs
Mobile Requirements• What OS: iOS / Android / Windows / BYOD?
• Type of Applications – Browser Based / Hybrid
• Device type, Screen size
• New Hardware / Software needed?
• New development tools and environments
• Mobile developers
Challenges to Consider
• Slower network – Disconnects - Offline / Connected
• No mouse, Function keys - Gestures
• Smaller screen / Less screens
• Difficult to touch small elements - Harder to type
• Mobile Infrastructure – Security, Load
Create a Service Layer
Mobile Application
Framework
Oracle
Mobile SuiteOracle Cloud
Services
The Oracle Mobile Landscape
Oracle Mobile
Security Suite
Oracle
SOA Suite
Version 9i, 10g, 11g
The Process : Oracle Forms to Mobile/Cloud
1. Enable the Oracle Forms process
2. Generate a Webservice (Wizard)
3. Connect WS to Oracle Mobile Cloud or SOA Suite or Weblogic
4. Create the Mobile App in MAF or APEX
5. Run Your Mobile App!
Mobilize Existing Applications
Migration
Innovation By Migration
Things to Consider
• This is a PROJECT. No silver bullet
• Need a business reason to redevelop
• Need thorough understanding of the Forms application
• No tool can re-write your business logic
• Need deep knowledge of the new technologies
• UI implications – HTML vs Applet
• Investigate 3rd party tools for migration assistance
Benefits of Migration• No Oracle Forms maintenance/licenses• Fully portable system• No applet, full HTML client• Larger developer pool
Migration Statistics
How long did it take for total redevelopment?
– 1 year of 25-35 developers then 2 years 30 people fine tuning
What was your biggest challenge during redevelopment?
– Lack of knowledge about the original Oracle Forms
– Lack of knowledge in technology stack
– Hard to train new implementation partners on new technology
How long did it take to train the Forms staff to the new technology?
– 1 year for experienced developer to understand the ADF stack and experts in the new technology
– Hard to find ADF experts easier to find Java developers.
Moving Forward Considerations For Modernization Projects
• Asses Your Requirements• What systems do we need to integrate with? UI requirements?
• What platforms do we need to deploy to?
• Understand Your Existing System• Where does the business logic sit today?
• What functionality is duplicated in other systems?
• Do we have documentation? Developer resources?
• Define Timeline and Budget
• Decide on Implementation Method• Integrate, Migrate, 3rd party solution
4 Step Plan To Future
Step 1
Upgrade
• Customer Upgrades to 11g• Weblogic Suite / Modernize / SSO
Step 2
Mobility
• Mobilize Existing Use Cases• Mobile Framework / SOA Suite / Security / Cloud
Step 3
Hybrid
• Phased Hybrid Development• Oracle ADF / J2EE / APEX
Step 4
Migrate
• Phased Migration to New Technologies … Maybe
Summary
• Clean up Forms environment – unused, dead code
• Upgrade to Latest version – Forms 11gR2
• Modernize Look and Feel - Incorporate Java elements
• Chose right tool for the job
• Refactor code to the DB
• Systems on common infrastructure Weblogic – SSO
• Slowly evolve teams and systems
• Start thinking about system INNOVATION – ADF Mobile
• Use AuraPlayer to move systems to the next generation platforms / environments
without migration
Mobilization : Oracle Forms to HTML (Windows CE Device)
– Mobilization of the Forms 6i (upgraded to 11g) container inspection system
to HTML on Windows CE 4.2 using AuraPlayer and Weblogic.
– Ports America is the leading container terminal operator in the United
States, handling approximately 12 million TEU annually at its facilities
nationwide.
– Solution will allow Ports to achieve huge cost savings by not needing to
redevelop the Forms systems or purchase costly new devices.
– POC was completed in 2 days
– Status: In budget approval process
Customer Success Story
Mobilization : Oracle Forms from Mobile Framework
– Surgery Scheduling System - Mobilization of Oracle Forms
surgical scheduling system using ADF Mobile and AuraPlayer.
– Scheduling application serves over 1000 surgeons for over 500
procedures and about 2,000,000 surgeries a year.
– Increased efficiency and maximized information availability for
surgeons and medical center customers.
– Application was developed in under a week.
Full Oracle Success Story
Questions?
Oracle FormsStay in touch with the family
• Oracle Forms on the Oracle Technology Network
• http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/forms
• Oracle Technology Network Forms Forum• https://community.oracle.com/community/development_tools/forms
• Oracle Communities (My-Oracle-Support)• https://community.oracle.com/community/support/middleware/oracle_forms
• Follow us on Twitter
@OracleFormsPM
More Information
Mia Urman (Me ) [email protected]
@miaurman
Forms Community Blogwww.oracleformsinfo.com
AuraPlayerwww.AuraPlayer.com
PJC Master sitehttp://forms.pjc.bean.over-blog.com/
Forms Look and Feel Projecthttp://fdtool.free.fr/LAF/doc/Oracle_Forms_Look_and_Feel_project.htm
Demos
• Demo: JavaScript in oracle Forms
• Demo: Oracle Look and Feel Project
• Demo: Oracle Forms on iPad
• Demo: Oracle Forms running from ADF