10 Database Migration Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Sam Newman's extensive experience at startups and ThoughtWorks fueled his motivation to write this book as a companion to his earlier work, focusing on the complex challenge of migrating monolithic systems to microservices. You get a detailed look at proven migration patterns, practical strategies for application and database decomposition, and insights on handling legacy system integration without disrupting ongoing business operations. For example, the book explores synchronization tactics and the effects of breaking referential integrity in databases. It's especially useful if you're part of an organization planning a gradual transition to microservices rather than a complete rewrite.

Regina Obe's extensive expertise as a co-principal of Paragon Corporation and a core developer on the PostGIS team shapes this practical guide to PostgreSQL. You dive into advanced features introduced in recent versions, like logical replication and foreign data wrappers, while mastering powerful SQL constructs unique to PostgreSQL. The book walks you through essential tasks—role management, backup, and query tuning—making it a solid resource whether you're migrating or deepening your existing knowledge. Chapters on using psql and pgAdmin offer hands-on tools, and the coverage of query parallelization and external data querying helps you push PostgreSQL beyond typical database use cases.

This tailored book on database migration offers a personalized framework for planning and executing migrations specific to your organizational context and technical environment. It focuses on delivering strategies that navigate common pitfalls, optimize migration processes, and enhance data integrity throughout transitions. By integrating your unique infrastructure, target platforms, and business goals, this resource cuts through generic advice to provide a tailored approach that aligns with your specific challenges and priorities. It systematically addresses risk assessment, migration sequencing, rollback plans, and post-migration validation methods, enabling a comprehensive understanding of how to achieve efficient, reliable data transitions.

When Frank Densborn first realized how often SAP migration projects stumbled due to lack of clear guidance, he helped craft this detailed handbook. You’ll explore the nuances between greenfield, brownfield, and selective data transition migration paths, understanding the prerequisites and operational models like on-premise and cloud. The book walks you through planning, preparation, and execution steps, grounding complex SAP S/4HANA migration concepts in practical experience. If you're involved in enterprise IT transformation or SAP project management, this book provides a solid reference for navigating migration choices and tools without overwhelming jargon.

Drawing from decades of expertise in database management and cloud technologies, Kevin Kline and his coauthors present a detailed roadmap for migrating enterprise databases to Microsoft Azure. You gain insights on navigating both technical challenges and organizational hurdles, including managing executive sponsorship, communication strategies, and compliance issues. The book offers practical guidance on selecting Azure services and performance tiers tailored to your needs, with chapters dedicated to migrating not only SQL Server but also Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL platforms. If you are involved in enterprise-level cloud migration projects and want to understand how to minimize downtime and optimize costs, this book provides a clear framework without glossing over the complexities involved.

Drawing from two decades of experience in cloud infrastructure and enterprise solutions, Javid Ur Rahman lays out a detailed roadmap for migrating legacy Oracle systems to modern cloud architectures. You gain practical insights into hybrid cloud identity transitions, autonomous database deployments, and security architectures like Oracle Agile Maximum-Security Architecture. The book's case studies on Oracle E-Business Suite migrations offer concrete examples of business continuity strategies. This is a fitting resource if you're a decision-maker or technologist aiming to leverage Oracle’s full stack for digital transformation and cost optimization in enterprise environments.

This personalized book provides a step-by-step daily action plan specifically designed for database migration projects, focusing on practical execution tailored to your unique migration goals and environment. It offers a structured approach that balances strategic planning with hands-on activities, guiding you through each critical phase from assessment to final validation. The tailored framework cuts through generic advice, fitting your specific database systems, organizational constraints, and project scale to maximize efficiency and minimize downtime. By concentrating on daily milestones, it addresses common migration challenges with clear, actionable tasks that help you maintain momentum and achieve measurable progress within a thirty-day timeframe.

When Y V Ravikumar, K M Krishnakumar, and Nassyam Basha pooled their deep Oracle expertise, they created a detailed guide that addresses the complexities of upgrading to Oracle Database 12c. You’ll learn to navigate the full spectrum of upgrade and migration methods, from pre-upgrade patching to handling multi-tenant environments, with a clear focus on minimizing downtime and avoiding pitfalls. Chapters break down each method’s strategy, requirements, and known issues, enabling you to select the best approach for your environment. This book suits core DBAs and architects who need hands-on, technical know-how rather than theory. If you manage Oracle databases and face the challenge of timely upgrades, this book offers precise insights without fluff.

What if the conventional wisdom about migrating SQL Server databases was missing critical nuances? Shameel Ahmed, with decades of experience spanning .NET, Java, and SQL, dives straight into the challenges and practicalities of moving workloads to PostgreSQL. You’ll find concise, focused chapters that walk you through platform differences, migration steps, and considerations like security and cloud deployment, making complex transitions more manageable. This book suits database administrators, developers, and architects who need a quick, reliable reference rather than lengthy theory — especially those aiming to retain performance and security without getting lost in extraneous details.

Drawing from his extensive 18-year IT career and over a decade specifically supporting Oracle and Oracle RAC systems, William Wood offers a hands-on perspective in navigating the complexities of moving from proprietary databases to MariaDB's open source platform. You’ll gain concrete skills in performing licensing cost comparisons, conducting thorough risk assessments, and crafting tailored migration roadmaps that reflect real-world challenges, especially from his experience with a financial firm's transition. The book also guides you through identifying necessary application code changes and leveraging MariaDB features for enhanced security and failover, making it practical for database administrators and technical leads facing similar shifts. If you’re looking for a grounded, experience-driven roadmap rather than abstract theory, this book is tailored for you, though it may be less relevant if you’re seeking deep dives into MariaDB internals or advanced tuning.

When Nick Morgan first discovered the complexities organizations face migrating SAP to the cloud, he set out to clarify the process with practical guidance tailored to Azure. This book breaks down multiple migration strategies such as lift & shift, lift & migrate to HANA, and transformation to S/4HANA, helping you understand how to maintain SAP's high availability and security in a cloud environment. With detailed chapters on architecting SAP on Azure and leveraging cloud-native capabilities, you gain insights to scale business-critical systems confidently. If you're an SAP architect or IT decision maker considering cloud migration, this book offers a clear roadmap without overcomplicating the technical landscape.

Drawing from extensive experience at SAP, Frank Densborn and his co-authors address the complexities of data migration with a focus on SAP environments. You gain a detailed understanding of planning and executing migration projects across diverse scenarios, from legacy systems to SAP S/4HANA and cloud solutions, using tools like LSMW and SAP Data Services. The book walks you through various migration methods, including batch input and IDocs, with practical examples that demystify technical steps without requiring programming skills. This guide suits IT professionals and project managers who need to navigate SAP-specific migration challenges with clarity and confidence.