Migration opportunities with Ispirer
Ispirer Ecosystem automates your migration routine to enable quick and smart transformation of any database. Double the migration speed with our comprehensive solutions.
With Ispirer Toolkit only
Ispirer Toolkit + Service
Ispirer Ecosystem for automated migration
Ispirer Toolkit is a solution for automated heterogeneous database migration. Using it, you can transfer tables and data, stored procedures, functions, packages, views, and triggers. This solution is based on an intelligent proprietary algorithm that analyzes data types, relationships between objects, reserved words, and code structures that do not have equivalents in a target technology.
AI-powered SQLWays
Ispirer Systems is an ISO/IEC 27001 certified organization. We adhere to the highest international standards of information security.
Our modernization and migration approach
We select the right conversion approach based on business specifics, project scope, complexity, and risk profile.
-
Rule-Based
Deterministic conversion
Engine
SQLWays, CodeWays
Automation & coverage
~70–80% automated coverage out of the box, with the option to reach up to 90% through manual refinement, refactoring, validation, and QA
What you get
Predictable scope and timeline, stable and repeatable output
Best for
Well-defined, structured migrations
-
Recommended
Hybrid
Rules + AI-assisted refinement
Engine
SQLWays, CodeWays + AI
Automation & coverage
~70–80% automated coverage, up to 90% with AI, reducing manual conversion, validation, and testing
What you get
Predictability of the rule-based engine + speed of AI, backed by the Ispirer expert framework
Best for
Complex or partially undocumented systems
-
AI-Driven
AI-led analysis and delivery
Engine
AI engine
Automation & coverage
AI-led code and business logic extraction by Ispirer Migration Experts
What you get
AI-assisted refactoring, code generation and documentation, human-led QA, insights into undocumented logic and target design
Best for
Iterative modernization and innovation-driven transformation
The approach is defined during the Discovery Phase, based on business specifics, source system complexity, target state, timeline, and expected business value.
Migrate Smarter. Evolve Faster
Over 150 migration directions- PostgreSQL
- Oracle
- AlloyDB
- SQL Server
- Informix
- MySQL
- DB2
- MariaDB
- Sybase ASE
- PostgreSQL
- Oracle
- AlloyDB
- SQL Server
- Informix
- MySQL
- DB2
- MariaDB
- Sybase ASE
- MSSQL
- COBOL
- Azure
- Progress 4GL
- SAP
- PowerBulder
- .NET
- Delphi
- MSSQL
- COBOL
- Azure
- Progress 4GL
- SAP
- PowerBulder
- .NET
- Delphi
Cloud migration software
Ispirer Toolkit facilitates seamless database migration to both on-premises and cloud environments. This includes Informix to PostgreSQL migration, with full support for Google Cloud SQL, Amazon RDS, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and Azure Database.
Gooole Cloud
Take advantage of the Google Cloud Database Modernization Program
AWS
Discover our tool-driven methodology to move your data infrastructure to AWS
Oracle Cloud
Unlock a streamlined path to modernize databases on Oracle Cloud
Azure
Modernize your systems on Microsoft Azure with seamless migration
Designed for continuity
Every old system carries years of decisions inside it, some good, some made under pressure nobody remembers anymore. My team's job is to understand that history well enough to carry forward what actually works, instead of throwing it out and starting over. That's what I find genuinely interesting about this work: nothing gets lost just because it's old, it either keeps running or turns into something better.
CTO, Ispirer Systems
Migration demo
Check out how Ispirer Toolkit migrates databases efficiently, minimizing the need for manual corrections
Informix to PostgreSQL migration service overview
More than 2K users use this way to
successfully convert their database
Start
Assessment
- Obtaining access
- Project discussion
- Making migration plan
- Creating SOW
Migration
- DB schema conversion
- Data migration testing
- Data integrity testing
- APP changes: API, ESQL, logic shift to APP layer
Manual review & corrections
- Manual corrections
- Internal testing
Functional testing
- Creating snapshots with data
- Testing APP and DB on snapshots
- Fixing all logical issues
Performance testing
- Performance testing
- Converted code review
- Code refactoring
- Extra code optimization
Data migration
- Prod data migration
Cutover
- Switching DB and APP
- Providing user access
- System startup
Informix to PostgreSQL Migration Challenges and How Ispirer Toolkit Overcomes Them
| Aspect | Informix | PostgreSQL | Ispirer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Enterprise Edition; Workgroup Edition; Express Edition; Free Developer and Innovator-C editions available with limitations | Completely free and open source under PostgreSQL License with no licensing fees or usage limitations | Provides cost-effective migration by eliminating the need for expensive IBM Informix licenses; reduces migration costs by up to 50% through automation |
| Ownership | Owned by IBM Corporation, while HCL Software manages development and support through a long-term partnership agreement | Open source project maintained by PostgreSQL Global Development Group | Ispirer LLC |
| SQL Language | Uses Informix SQL with extensions to ANSI SQL standard; supports SPL (Stored Procedure Language) | Uses standard SQL with PL/pgSQL procedural language and supports multiple procedural languages including PL/Python, PL/Perl, and PL/Tcl | Automatically converts Informix SQL syntax to PostgreSQL-compatible SQL; converts SPL stored procedures to PL/pgSQL with 75-95% automation; handles ANSI SQL extensions conversion |
| Data Types | Rich set including BSON, JSON, BIGINT, BIGSERIAL, BYTE, CHAR, DATE, DATETIME, DECIMAL, FLOAT, INTEGER, INTERVAL, MONEY, TEXT, VARCHAR, and specialized types | Extensive data types including NUMERIC, INTEGER variants, native arrays, JSON, JSONB, UUID, geometric types, and custom user-defined types | Provides intelligent data type mapping from Informix to PostgreSQL equivalents; automatically converts BSON/JSON to PostgreSQL JSON/JSONB; handles custom data type conversions with customization rules |
| Indexing Options | B-tree (default), R-tree, functional indexes, forest of trees (FOT) indexes, and DataBlade module indexes for user-defined data | B-tree (default), GIN, GiST, BRIN, SP-GiST indexes; supports partial/conditional indexes and specialized indexing for various data types | Converts and recreates indexes from Informix to PostgreSQL; maps B-tree and R-tree indexes to appropriate PostgreSQL index types; preserves index performance characteristics |
They succeeded using Ispirer Toolkit
Achieving 95% automation in PostgreSQL database migration
Project Scope
1 700 000 LoC
Project Duration
12 Months
Industry
Contingent Workforce Management
Sybase ASE to Azure SQL Database: Automated Cloud Migration for Financial Services
Project Scope
420 000 LoC
Project Duration
5 Months
Industry
Global Financial Services Provider
Power Management Company Streamlines Migration to Azure SQL Twice
Project Scope
76 tables,
15 000 LoC
Project Duration
1 month
Industry
Power Management Company
Teradata to Amazon Redshift. Ispirer Toolkit License
Project Scope
64 SQL Statements,
70 BTEQ Commands
Project Duration
2 month
Industry
Cloud Computing and Web Services Provider
6 undeniable facts to choose conversion with Ispirer
-
Fact 1/6
Improved performance
Migrating to a newer, more powerful database engine can significantly enhance query performance, reduce latency, and improve overall application responsiveness. This leads to a better user experience and increased productivity.
![Improved performance -- card image]()
-
Fact 2/6
Enhanced security
Newer databases often incorporate advanced security features like encryption, access controls, and threat detection mechanisms, providing better protection against data breaches and cyberattacks.
![Enhanced security -- card image]()
-
Fact 3/6
Reduced costs
Migrating to a more efficient database can lower operational costs by reducing hardware and software maintenance requirements, optimizing resource utilization, and lowering licensing fees.
![Reduced costs -- card image]()
-
Fact 4/6
Modernization and innovation
Migrating to PostgreSQL can enable the adoption of new technologies and features, unlocking new business opportunities and driving innovation.
![Modernization and innovation -- card image]()
-
Fact 5/6
Legacy system transformation
Migrating legacy databases to modern systems can upgrade your database, making it easier to maintain, update, and extend in the long run.
![Legacy system transformation -- card image]()
-
Fact 6/6
No need for documentation
We perform the migration using the source code. There is no need for detailed documentation to begin the migration as there is in development.
![No need for documentation -- card image]()
The world’s most innovative companies are building their next big thing with Ispirer
Magnit, CardinalHealth, Worldline and more have adopted SQLWays to boost their innovation life-cycle accelerate and manage their end-to-end innovation lifecycle
Oracle to PostgreSQL MS SQL Server to PostgreSQL
Migration project
50%
Migration time reduction
1.365K
Lines of SQL code
8 Tb
of data
Talent Management
"Ispirer Toolkit enabled a seamless migration of 8 TB of data and 1.36M lines of code from Oracle and SQL Server to PostgreSQL. The automation features reduced migration time by 50%, cutting costs and minimizing manual effort. The quality, precision, and support exceeded our expectations."
SQL Server to PostgreSQL
Migration project
70%
Migration time reduction
650K+
Lines of SQL code
700+ tables
of data
Healthcare Solutions
"Ispirer helped us migrate 700+ tables and 650+ stored procedures from SQL Server to PostgreSQL, reducing development time by 60%-70%. The tool efficiently handled case-sensitive issues and frequent data changes. The excellent support made the process easy, fast, and effective."
Oracle 19c to PostgreSQL
Migration project
65%
Migration time reduction
1.500K
Lines of code
8 TB
of data
Payments & Financial Services
"Ispirer Toolkit helped us migrate 1.5 million lines of complex Oracle code to PostgreSQL, overcoming unique challenges with expert support. Their team provided customized solutions for a smooth transition. This migration is a key step in our cloud strategy, and we highly recommend Ispirer's services."
Informix to Oracle
Migration project
78%
Migration time reduction
200K+
Lines of code
12 TB
of data
Governmental
"Ispirer MnMTK was crucial to our successful database migration, converting 12 TB of data and 200,000 lines of SQL code. The tool outperformed other solutions, saving us countless hours. The support team was responsive and effective—money well spent."
Firebird to PostgreSQL
Migration project
55%
Migration time reduction
25K+
Lines of SQL code
> 150 tables
per database
Manufacturing & Fleet Management
"Ispirer's Toolkit enabled the efficient migration of 150 tables and 25,000 lines of code from Firebird to PostgreSQL. The tool saved us time and reduced risks, while the Ispirer team provided excellent support throughout. Highly recommended for similar database migration projects."
Sybase to MySQL
Migration project
95%
Migration time reduction
4.000+
Stored procedures
200+
tables
IT Services
"Ispirer’s tool allowed us to automatically convert 4,000+ procedures and 200+ tables from Sybase to MySQL with 95% success, saving a lot of time. The ability to customize the tool and the excellent support made the process smooth and efficient. Highly recommended!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers. Ask questions. Connect with Ispirer support.
Want more details?
Request a consultation with our expert
How can I migrate my database from Informix to PostgreSQL step by step?
Yes. First, inventory the schema, SPL routines, dbspaces, and any applications connected to the database — including those written in Informix 4GL, utilizing Embedded SQL, or built with other programming languages — since the application layer usually moves with it.
Second, convert the schema with explicit type decisions. SERIAL and SERIAL8 become identity or bigserial columns, DATETIME YEAR TO FRACTION(5) becomes timestamp(5), partial qualifiers such as DATETIME HOUR TO MINUTE become time or interval, MONEY becomes numeric(19,4), BYTE and TEXT become bytea and text, LVARCHAR becomes varchar.
Third, convert SPL routines to PL/pgSQL, replacing FOREACH loops with cursor loops and RETURN WITH RESUME with set returning functions. Fourth, rebuild physical design, mapping fragmentation to declarative partitioning and dbspaces to tablespaces.
Fifth, transfer data and reset sequences. Sixth, test, with attention to the MATCHES operator rewritten as LIKE or regular expressions. Informix is a niche source with few options on the market, and one that stands out is Ispirer Toolkit: SQLWays for steps two, three and five, CodeWays for the embedded SQL in the application.
