Hi!
We are currently on Informix. We have a few questions regarding the switch we need to make to DB2 in the near future. We do not have any expertise in DB2 whatsoever. If you made the swtich or if you are planning to do so, how did you handle it ? Did you hire the expertise, train current employees or outsource support of the database to a third party?

Thanks
Jyothi Venkat

Transfering data from one third party DB to another is relatively easy.
All you need to do is fill in the CAPITAL file, IBM. I'm sure you would have the experience of INFORMIX. Like wise, fill in values in IBM. Then do a dbdef <PL> then F6->E option, give in the data space, select the IBM option, fill in the data area and index are values & save it. Now from the menu select F6->C option, remove the existing INFORMIX space value & add in the new value and save it. Do a blddbdict, dbreorg & the data will be transferred from INFORMIX to IBM DB2.

Pls let me know if you are looking anything in specific & I can help.

DB2, like Informix and Oracle is a large and complex RDBMS. Unfortunately little of what you know from Informix will be directly attributable to DB2. At a minimum I would get a DB2 consultant onsite for the changeover and use their expertise to train your existing staff.

Also, pick up the Lawson DB2 Enterprise Server manuals. Much of what Lawson does with an RDBMS is the same, but it contains some insight into DB2 that you'll find helpful

I was thinking more about the DB administration. Did you hire a DB administrator or train the current DB admin on DB2.
Thanks

As I said previously, use a consultant to make the transition and then extend the consultant to do the training for your current staff, assuming of course that your current staff has and interest in learning DB2 administration.

The plus side of keeping the current staff is that they "know the business" and with truly good admins (of any type), knowing the business is half the battle. If they've been involved in your Lawson project previously it seems a shame to throw away all that accumulated business knowledge in favor of some training that can be garnered from a few manuals and a couple weeks training.