Case Studies

Statistics Canada

Project Overview

Migrating VAX Alpha VMS, PowerHouse 4GL and RMS to Microsoft .NET CORE with Oracle

CORE supported a national level government agency involved in data and statistics in revising the Training Module of the Human Resources Information Systems. The first module was a character-based terminal-emulation app developed in Cognos PowerHouse. It saved data to OpenVMS in a custom RMS format. The software for this old system was something they wanted to get rid of and be replaced with a training registration system that operated on the web. The new solution had a front end using Microsoft ASP and COM+ and with the back end on Oracle 8.

The Challenge

The old system had a number of problems that made it less usable and less efficient at running. Employees had to use text based screens in terminal mode, which made things like signing up for classes hard to do. The training data was kept in a non standard RMS format that could only be accessed through the PowerHouse environment. This made it very hard to connect with other HR systems or make useful reports. Employees could npt sign up for courses online, so HR had to handle all of the course registrations by hand.

Our Approach

CORE began the project by analyzing the existing training module within the broader HR system. The team closely examined the current programs, data structures, business rules, and user workflows to ensure the new platform would meet operational needs while improving the overall user experience for end users. To facilitate the transition, CORE used its Automated Migfration tools, which allowed PowerHouse screens and business logic to be migrated into a format that could be deployed on the web. This helped speed up development while preserving the integrity of key business functions.

The front end of the new platform was developed using Microsoft ASP and COM+ technologies. Instead of dealing with terminal screens, users were now presented with clean, intuitive web pages where they could easily browse training catalogs, view schedules, and complete registrations. Behind the scenes, the proprietary RMS data was transformed into Oracle 8 tables, and the original data-access logic was replicated using PL/SQL routines. This allowed the new system to enforce important business rules, such as course prerequisites and enrollment limits, just as the old system had done. All database connectivity and transactions were handled through ADO components, which ensured that data retrieval and updates were fast and reliable.

Testing was an essential part of the implementation process. CORE conducted unit and functional testing for every converted screen and database procedure to confirm they performed as expected. Once internal testing was complete, the system was presented to HR teams and employee representatives for user acceptance testing. This phase involved walking through real-world scenarios like course registration, cancellations, and waitlist management to validate the accuracy and usability of the new system. Feedback was collected and quickly incorporated into updates, resulting in a more polished and user-friendly platform.

Deployment was carried out in stages. After a successful pilot test in a subset of HR offices, the system was gradually rolled out across the entire organization. This phased approach allowed CORE to make adjustments based on live user feedback before full-scale implementation. As part of the rollout, CORE provided comprehensive documentation outlining the system architecture, including the ASP and COM+ components, as well as the new Oracle schema. IT staff also attended a workshop where they were trained on how to maintain the system and handle any common troubleshooting issues.

Results

The new training registration system delivered immediate benefits. Employees could now register for and manage their training online without having to rely on HR staff, significantly improving autonomy and reducing administrative workload. The transition to Oracle 8 eliminated the need for the proprietary RMS format, unlocking the ability to generate custom reports and integrate training data with other HR systems. As a result, registration processing times were cut by more than half, and the entire workflow became more efficient. The use of a standardized, multi-tier architecture also laid the groundwork for future enhancements, such as automated notifications and integration with payroll or performance tracking systems.

Why It Matters

Modernizing legacy HR applications is not just about upgrading technology; it’s about empowering users, improving access to data, and building systems that are easier to maintain and expand. By moving this training module to a web-enabled, database-driven platform, CORE helped this national agency eliminate bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and provide better service to its workforce. Employees no longer needed to fill out paper forms or rely on HR for every training request. At the same time, the IT team gained a system that was easier to support and aligned with modern development standards. This project shows how even long-standing, character-based systems can be successfully transformed into intuitive, future-ready applications through a structured migration process and thoughtful collaboration between developers and stakeholders.

BACK TO CASE STUDIES