Facts, Fiction, & Rumors About OASIS and Databases

Talking with users that have tried to figure out database options have surprised me with some interesting comments over the years. To help demystify the database options, we present the following information.

I have contracted a developer to directly access the OASIS Sybase database.

This is the biggest issue we hear and is a direct violation of our licensing terms with SAP/Sybase. The cost of the Sybase database is a lot more than what we charge. Ingen Software has an OEM agreement with SAP keeping costs low. If you decide to directly access the database, you must contact SAP and purchase a full use license. (Another option is to purchase Microsoft’s SQL Server.)

Ingen Software does not support developers directly accessing the database. Our recommendation is to use the OASIS O4 REST APIs to pull (and eventually push) data into OASIS.

SQL Server is a six-figure investment!

Well, it can be! When a reseller hears you have a multi-terabyte database and are interested in purchasing SQL Server then you will have a new best friend!

There are different SQL Server versions, and the sales team will try to sell you the “best” solution for that new high-end server you have. The quote usually looks something like 32 cores of SQL Server Enterprise Edition – easily a $100K or more investment.

You will not need that level of horsepower to run OASIS.

Our recommendation is no more that 4 cores and SQL Server Standard Edition. That should be 10K or less based on the various licensing options from Microsoft.

I now must purchase SQL Server to use OASIS.

No – just manage the documents in OASIS.

It is true that if your OASIS database is nearing 2 TB (Terabytes) we will require that you do one of the following:

• Archive old attachments
• Move to SQL Server

Yes, you must make a choice here, but you are not required to upgrade.

Ingen will not support us on SQL Server.

Yes and no… here is what changes:

When you have a server failure with Sybase, we follow the following process:

• You or your IT service is required to get the server up and running
• Call us and we will get the database up and running – but may need your IT support to meet hardware needs
• We then ensure that OASIS is running properly with the database

When you have a server failure with SQL Server, we follow the following process:

• You or your IT service is required to get the server up and running
• You or your IT service is required to get SQL Server up and running
• We then ensure that OASIS is running properly with the database

Why the change? SQL Server does require more IT support to manage than Sybase. SQL Server is a significant step up in performance and capabilities – all very positive for a growing sales agency but does cost more to support.

Ingen charges us the same whether we use SQL Server or not.

This is true.

Yes, if you use Sybase we have to pay SAP for the OEM license. However, with SQL Server we have more work to do to ensure OASIS works correctly with that database.