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Achieving 5x Improvement: Migrating from MS SQL to Amazon Aurora

Jul 18, 2023 by Nandan Umarji

In today's data-driven world, optimizing database performance is critical for businesses to stay ahead. In this blog post, we'll explore how Mactores helped a customer achieve remarkable performance gains by seamlessly migrating their traditional MS SQL Server database to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL. Through an automated approach and meticulous execution, Mactores successfully transformed the customer's database environment, delivering exceptional results.

Customer is a leading financial technology company, that offers a comprehensive suite of payment solutions and branded gift card services. Focusing on convenience, security, and innovation, they enable businesses to enhance customer experiences, drive brand loyalty, and streamline payment processes. Through their extensive network and expertise in global payments, They support businesses in expanding their operations internationally. With a data-driven approach and a commitment to providing tailored solutions, the company continues to shape the future of digital payments and remains at the forefront of the financial technology industry.
 

The Challenge: Legacy MSSQL Database and Performance Concerns

The customer was burdened with 10 MS-SQL Server databases, each with over 2TB of storage and monthly incremental updates of 250 GB. Additionally, the databases supported 15 applications with extensive insert, update, and delete operations. Furthermore, six downstream reporting systems relied on the MS SQL Server databases. Performance optimization and reducing technical debt were crucial objectives for the customer.

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Mactores' Migration Strategy: An Automated and Streamlined Approach 

To address the challenges, Mactores began with a thorough discovery process to estimate the effort required for migrating the database objects. In phase one, Mactores performed Schema Conversion Tool (SCT), Database Migration Service (DMS), and Change Data Capture (CDC) to enable the downstream systems to access the newly migrated PostgreSQL database seamlessly. Some objects were migrated automatically, while others required manual intervention due to their complexity.
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Handling Ongoing Updates: Deploying Liquibase

One of the key concerns during the migration process was handling ongoing database updates. Mactores deployed Liquibase, an open-source database schema version control tool. The customer was requested to publish all database changes from MSSQL using Liquibase. By accessing these changes, Mactores effortlessly migrated them into PostgreSQL-compliant changes, ensuring a smooth and easy migration process.

 

The Cutover Plan: Minimal Downtime, Maximum Impact

A concise cutover plan played a vital role in minimizing downtime during the migration process. Mactores meticulously executed the plan, ensuring a seamless transition from MS SQL to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL. Throughout the migration journey, key performance metrics were carefully tracked and compared between the legacy MSSQL and the new PostgreSQL databases.
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Performance Boost: Achieving 5x Improvement

The results of the migration were nothing short of exceptional. By migrating from MS SQL to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL, the customer witnessed a staggering 5x improvement in database performance. The streamlined and optimized database environment enabled faster query execution, enhanced scalability, and improved overall system efficiency.

 

Learn More and Take Action

The success story of this migration demonstrates the power of optimizing database performance through seamless migration. If you have questions about this use case or would like to learn more about the process, we encourage you to reach out to Mactores. Share your specific use case and sign up for a workshop to explore how Mactores can help transform your database environment, leverage automation services, and achieve remarkable performance gains.
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Conclusion

Migrating from a traditional MS SQL Server to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL can yield significant performance improvements and help businesses retire technical debt. Mactores' automated approach, executed with precision, allowed the customer to seamlessly transition their database environment, resulting in a remarkable 5x performance boost. By leveraging the power of Amazon Aurora and Mactores' expertise, businesses can unlock the full potential of their databases and gain a competitive edge in today's data-driven landscape.
 
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