Still Running Your Business Apps on OpenEdge 11.7, 10.2b or Older?

As the retirement date for Progress OpenEdge 11.7 nears, businesses must consider the transition to OpenEdge 12.8.

Now’s the Time

As support for older versions phases out, continuing to use OpenEdge 11.7 could lead to increased risks and costs associated with maintenance and security. Migrating to 12.8 means your business benefits from the ongoing support and innovation Progress provides which helps support the security, compliance and competitive edge of your applications.

Upgrading to OpenEdge 12.8 can help future-proof your business by fostering an environment where you can embrace new opportunities and adjust sails as technologies evolve. It’s an investment in your business’s resilience and a commitment to excellence in a world where staying ahead means staying updated.

The Countdown Is On

Navigating the Upgrade to OpenEdge 12.8: A Four-Step Approach

Upgrading to OpenEdge 12.8 from OpenEdge 11.7 or an older release involves multiple stages:

1. Transitioning from classic AppServer to Progress Application Server (PAS) for OpenEdge
2. Upgrading the database to OpenEdge 12.8
3. Migrating classic AppServer applications to Progress Application Server for OpenEdge

To get you started on your journey, we have outlined a four-step approach to migration. Explore the steps that you will need to take depending on your role:

Step 1: Review Your Current Architecture

The assessment phase involves a comprehensive evaluation of the existing application architecture, pinpointing the specific OpenEdge products and their versions currently in operation. It includes an analysis of the configurations for classic AppServer and/or WebSpeed Brokers, an examination of application modes, client types and the employment of persistent procedures.

Step 2: Visualize Your Target Architecture

Defining the target architecture for upgrading to OpenEdge 12.8 involves selecting the necessary components and configurations, such as Progress Application Server for OpenEdge, Database Replication and Authentication Gateway. It requires mapping out a deployment environment that considers the operating system, hardware specifications and network infrastructure.

Step 3: Plan Your Migration Approach

Organizations upgrading from older versions of OpenEdge have two pathways. The first is incremental migration, which involves a two-phase approach starting with a move to Progress Application Server for OpenEdge 11.7, updating client connections and confirming application code compatibility. The second phase comprises a database conversion and system updates to reach OpenEdge 12.8—or direct migration, where they upgrade straight to OpenEdge 12.8, migrate the database, install the necessary JDK and adjust application sources, configurations and security settings to align with the new version. Both strategies require careful planning to meet the organization’s specific needs and achieve a smooth transition.

Step 4: Migrate

Developers upgrading to OpenEdge 12.8 from versions 11.7 or earlier will transition applications from Classic AppServer to Progress Application Server for OpenEdge. This involves minimal code and property adjustments in a test environment. For those on version 12.2, no recompilation is needed unless using new 12.8 features. Database administrators will migrate databases to 12.8, with streamlined conversion processes for OpenEdge 11.x and 10.x, and no conversion is required for databases already on version 12.x after moving to 12.2.

Download the migration guide.

Deployment Environment Considerations

When upgrading to OpenEdge 12.8, it’s essential to evaluate your deployment environment and consider modernizing your application within the new architecture. Options include on-premises systems, balancing computing power without excess and cloud computing with providers like AWS and Azure, offering tailored virtualization for various needs and cost-efficiency. Modernization goals may involve enhancing:

• high availability
• redundancy for disaster recovery
• scalability
• user identity management through SSO or federated services
• transitioning databases from self-service to client-server models

Progress Professional Services can guide you through this modernization, providing reference architecture and aligning with your business goals.

Professional Services Experts Are Here to Help

Let our team of OpenEdge specialists guide you on your migration journey. We can help you rehost, re-platform, refactor and more—all while using many of your existing components. A short modernization assessment builds a roadmap using your goals, current technology and skills to create the optimal architecture and processes for your applications.

Request a consultation.

Explore our new webpage to learn more about migrating to OpenEdge 12.8.

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