Re-engineering Oracle Forms to Java & Angular

1. The Challenge: Migrating the application from an obsolete, unsupported version of Oracle Forms and Reports to a modern web application developed in Java and Angular.

The client needed to modernize their application because a significant amount of functionality was no longer in use, navigation was difficult, and the system depended on printing exclusively to a specific printer, which complicated operations and mobility.

Technology & Support

  • Obsolete and unsupported technology, no longer maintained by Oracle

  • No security patches or updates available, leaving the application vulnerable

Infrastructure & Deployment

  • Required Java applets to run in a browser, which are no longer supported by modern browsers

  • Depended on legacy infrastructure that was costly to maintain

User Experience

  • Outdated and non-intuitive user interface compared to modern web applications

  • Not responsive or mobile-friendly

  • Poor user experience compared to current web standards

Development & Maintenance

  • Difficult to integrate with modern APIs and web services

  • Limited support for modern development practices such as DevOps, CI/CD, and automated testing

Business & Scalability

  • High risk of system failure with no vendor support

  • Difficult to scale for growing business needs

  • Poor integration capabilities with modern third-party tools and services

2. The Solution

Symmetry proposed an application modernization based on business standards, using the following reengineering phases:

  • Reverse engineering

  • Code refactoring

  • Data restructuring

  • Forward engineering

3. The Results

  • Eliminated dependency on physical printers

  • Documents are now stored within the application and can be retrieved as PDFs at any time

  • Added the ability to combine PDFs

  • Improved usability with more user-friendly, mouse-driven navigation

  • Improved form design and distribution

  • Reduced the number of screens to increase efficiency

4. Why Symmetry Resource Group

  • Experienced senior developers with deep technical knowledge and strong problem-solving ability

  • Committed to delivering the agreed scope

  • Business-centric consulting

  • Nearshore flexibility with real-time collaboration

  • Transparent communication

  • Long-term reliability and trust

Chris Laswell