[SIMS] Retain SIMS Data (DOS Based)

[Trojan]

I have a 32 bit server 2003 VM running the legacy SIMS database (old dos version) I need to retain access to the data but I want to do away with the server 2003 box. Is there a way of running these 16bit legacy apps on on a modern server os ? or is there another way to retain the data that I am missing.. What have others done.

 

Thanks in advance.

[sted]

you could probably go to x86 version of 2008r1 but even thats pretty old. if its dos based will it run on x86 windows7/8/8.1 rather than needing to be run on a server os?

[Trojan]

That's a great idea.. I'll give it a whirl in a windows client VM... Thanks v much.

 

 

you could probably go to x86 version of 2008r1 but even thats pretty old. if its dos based will it run on x86 windows7/8/8.1 rather than needing to be run on a server os?

[3s-gtech]

2008 R1 and R2 have an extended lifecycle until January 2020 so plenty of time to make use of them yet as supported OSs.

[matt40k]

What on earth would you need to retain? Everything should have been migrated years ago!! I'd throw it back at them saying it's against DP and ask them what they need to keep (and how its inline with the Records Management Toolkit - RM Toolkit for Schools - Information and Records Management Society) and explain why they haven't already migrated it or exported it. Most people say they need exam results - which is silly, put the details into spreadsheet. The cost maintaining such as out-of-date would be 10x times the cost of someone, even manually entering the data into a spreadsheet and that's before you've got cost of someone actually using the old system.

[Trojan]

@matt40k It's a good point and thanks for the link to the RM toolkit. We are a Facility school now and have been for years. You are correct - the reason given is that they need access to the exam results for the purposes of student references on request. Personally I'd like to be rid of the whole thing. Interestingly in the RM toolkit the retention period for public exams is "Year of examinations + 6 years".. I will indeed have another conversation with the attendance and exams officers. SIMS wont fire up on windows 7 32 bit anyway and I don't think I can give it any more time.

[vikpaw]

Also, it's a VM, tune it down to minimal resources, rather than waste time moving it. Disconnect from internet for safety and start shifting data off quick. Then i'd just turn it off and keep it around - or not - if it conflicts with data retention rules.

[Trojan]

It already has minimal resources assigned to it and only contains this ancient SIMS database. I will as you say, disconnect from the internet and look at data retention policies and start the process of informing staff that it's going.

 

 

Thanks for the advice all.

 

 

Also, it's a VM, tune it down to minimal resources, rather than waste time moving it. Disconnect from internet for safety and start shifting data off quick. Then i'd just turn it off and keep it around - or not - if it conflicts with data retention rules.

[Trojan]

Just a quick update on this one.. This ancient SIMS db is now history. Thanks for the advice all and the links to the toolkit @matt40k it was exactly what was needed.