Migrating HFM

One frequent request we get is around how to migrate HFM applications between different environments in the 11.2.x world.  Historically, the EPM suite provided an HFM application copy utility that allowed customers to move applications between different environments.  However, once the 11.1.2.4.x versions were released, this stand-alone application was deprecated.  So where does that leave customers?

Well, for quite some time, Oracle EPM has provided an HFM Import function.  This function requires some DB setup (details here) but once setup an HFM administrator can delete the existing HFM application they wish to copy in the Target environment, and then using the pointer defined above, copy to the Target environment, recreating the HFM application.  Alternatively, they can copy an application to a new name.

The only downside to the above process comes when deleting the existing application.  This application deletion removes the existing security provisioning and would need to be rebuilt, or reapplied via a previous LCM backup.  But overall, this works fine, and is easy to use.

But, what if the application is very large, or you want to move multiple applications at once.  Well, in this case it is much easier (and recommended) to simply copy over the Source HFM database and replace the Target HFM database.  In the new 11.2.x version, there are no environment specific tables inside of HFM, so a simple replace of the DB will bring over the application.  At most, the administrator will need to reregister the HFM applications in the Consolidation Administration control panel and they’ll be all set.

As always, we’re here to help and inform EPM customers of the ins and outs of the EPM suite, and should you have any questions you can always reach out to iArch Solutions.