Dermot MurrayExtending your Oracle Forms EstateUsingOracle Application Express
Agenda• Introduction• Introduction
• The Forms Challenge
• Introducing Oracle Application Express
• Use Cases
• Technical Architecture and licence
considerations
• Conclusion
INOAPPS COMPANY OVERVIEW
Oracle Platinum Partner Multiple accolades from customers and Oracle
►Largest Independent Oracle Specialist Partner
►Applications, EPM, BI and Technology
►Expertise in Hosting, Managed Services
►Engineered Systems and Hardware Practice
►Capable to deliver the whole Red Stack
► Implemented and Operating Oracle Fusion ERP
Cloud
►2015 Winner: Specialized Partner of the Year:
Oracle Cloud
►2014 Sunday Times Tech Track 100
►Deloitte Technology Fast 50 UK 2014 & Fast 500
EMEA 2014
►2010 & 2012 Winner, Specialized Partner of the
Year: Oracle Accelerate For Midsize Companies
Long track record of using Oracle Forms and Application Express
UK OFFICESAberdeen (Head Office)Edinburgh
Global Locations
EdinburghDerby
INTERNATIONAL OFFICESKuala Lumpur, Malaysia Houston, Texas, USA
►Global delivery experience and capability
►Established off shore and on shore model
OUR FOCUS AREAS
Inoapps Company Overview
OUR MAIN INDUSTRY SECTORS
►Application Implementations►Business Intelligence►Engineered Systems and Storage►HCM►Hyperion & EPM►JDE and PeopleSoft►Managed Services and Cloud►Mobility►R12 upgrades►Oracle Forms and Apex
►Business/Professional Services►Engineering and Construction►Financial Services►High Technology►Manufacturing►Oil & Gas►Public Sector►Telecommunications►Utilities
Long track record of using Oracle Forms and Application Express
So, you have Oracle Forms…
► Stable
► Mature► Mature
► Big Investment
► “Does what it says on the tin”
► BUT…
So, you have Oracle Forms…
►User Interface is ‘mature’
►High development cost►High development cost
►Licencing limitations
►Integration capabilities
►Limited scope for extending footprint
How to solve a problem like…
Integration MobileDesktop
limitationsIntegration Mobile
Simplified UI
limitations
“External” users
Oracle Application Express
► Toolkit to allow the rapid development of applications using only your web browser
► Fully-supported, no-cost feature of the Oracle Database
► Can extend and supplement Oracle Forms in a wide variety of ways
► Consists of a UI development tool, based on DB Schema and objects
APEX and Forms
► Retain existing Forms estate
► Re-use the business logic and IPR of existing apps
► Extend footprint using Apex screens
► Expand functionality using Apex capabilities
► Reduce and minimise the limitations of Forms
► Increase the use of your Oracle estate with minimal additional costs
Forms and APEX: Perfect Companions
Forms Apex
IntegrationDatabase Objects
Business Logic
Legacy Screens
Admin Screens
Core App “Spine”
Integration
Mobile
Simplified UI
External users
Oracle Applications Express
The Swiss Army Knife of Development Platforms
Use Case: Application extension
Application ExtensionApplication Extension
Use Case: Extend Application
► Existing Forms estate delivers core functionality
►Want to extend the footprint intoNew UsersNew functionality
►Use Apex to deliver new scopeEnhanced Look and FeelNo desktop limitationsRapid development
Use Case: Refresh User Interface
► “Mature” application seeks new “look and feel” (for long walks on the beach, fine dining and new experiences)
►New ways to engage your users with a simpler user experience
►Apex has a huge variety of data presentation themes
Mobile enablement
Application ExtensionRefresh User
Application Extension
Mobile Enablement
Refresh User Interface
Use Case: Mobile Enablement
► You wish to extend the footprint of your Forms application to allow users on Mobile devices – phones or tablets
► Oracle Forms on mobile is not easy
►Security considerations are signifcant
►Other Oracle middleware options available – but complex
► Extend footprint using Apex screens, using optimised “Mobile Themes”
Mobile Enablement
Mobile Enablement
Use Case: Mobile Enablement
► Online access only – No Offline capability or “App” capabilities
►Security considerations – needs externally facing server, DMZ, patches, hardening
►Licencing considerations – potential user audience increases, licence needs to match
Back Office Integration
Data Gathering Platform
Business Intelligence
Back OfficeProcessing
Business Intelligence Platform
Mobile Enablement
Use Case: Back Office Processing
► Mature forms estate that needs to extend beyond its current limitations
►Require back end integration and interfacing capabilities
►Don’t want to implement additional middleware layers Oracle Forms will not offer sufficient capabilities
►Back Office capabilities required to facilitate integrationSOA IntegrationEmail IntegrationCSV production and uploadBatch processing
Use Case: Back Office Processing
Web ServicesPresentation/ Email CSV/ Blob
HandlingPresentation/consumption Integration
Batch Processing
Handling
SSO Integration
Use Case: Business Intelligence Platform
►Forms based application used to “gather” data
►How to “enable” that data out to a wider audience
►Many BI tools out there (including from Oracle), but all will incur significant cost, time and effort
►Apex offers a wide variety of “out of the box” reporting capabilities
►Can be used to offer BI capabilities to existing applications
Data Gathering Platform
Data Warehousing
Email Integration
Single Sign On
Oracle Application Express
Excel Killer
Business Intelligence Platform
Workflow and automation engine
Document Management
Web service integration
Batch Processing
Data Warehousing
SSL Encryption
Pixel Perfect Reporting
Forms and Apex – Perfect Companions
Complement
SupplementReplace Supplement
ExpandExtend
Replace
System Architecture - Forms
Forms Client
Java AppletGUI and beans
Forms ServerForms Listener
Manages Runtime
Runtime EngineApp logic, data management,
PL/SQL engine
Database Server
System Architecture - APEX
Web Listener
Web Browser
Meta Data
Oracle Database with Oracle Applications Express
System Architecture – Forms and Apex combined
Forms Client
Java AppletGUI and beans
Apex Browser
Forms Server
Apex Web Listener
Database Server
Apex Schema
Architecture Considerations
► Existing Database infrastructure can be used
► Web listener can be located on DB server
► Or use existing Forms Middleware Server
► NO additional hardware
► NO additional middleware
Project Phases of a typical system deployment
Requirements Gathering
Solution Design
Data Dictionary
Build Business Logic
Technical Architecture
UI Test and Deploy
Project Phases of an Apex extension
Requirements Gathering
Solution Design
Data Dictionary
Build Business Logic
Technical Architecture
UI Test and Deploy
Licence Considerations
► First Rule of Oracle – make sure you are licenced► First Rule of Oracle – make sure you are licenced
► Oracle Applications Express licence is included in Database licence usage
► NO additional licence requirements(As long as all users are licenced for DB)
Oracle Apex 5
► Latest release, GA in April 2015► Latest release, GA in April 2015
► Huge step forward in terms of functionailty, scope and “look and feel”
►Underpins Oracle’s strategic investment in Apex
Don’t believe me?
Skills Considerations
► Core skills – SQL/ PL/SQL► Core skills – SQL/ PL/SQL
►Screen designer is simple and intuitive
►Low cost of entry – but huge scope for development
►LOTS of Google resources
Business Benefits of Apex Extension
Time to DeploymentCost of infrastructure
Scope of solutionCost of infrastructure
Cost of licencesCost of Project
Risk
Scope of solutionIntegration
User Adoption
Summary
► Many organisations have made a significant investment in Oracle Forms
►There are many upgrade or migration paths available to Forms users
►Oracle Application Express offers a simple and low cost way to retain that investment whilst retaining the ability to meet the changing needs of the business
Questions?
#InoappsCloudcast
E: [email protected] | T: 0870 112 2000 | W: www.inoapps.com
Dermot MurrayTechnology Division Manager