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By Alex Matthews

UCAC - .NET Membership System Migration to MySQL

Microsoft .NETMigration of the UCAC VB.NET Windows Forms membership application from Microsoft SQL Server to a shared MySQL-compatible database, removing the need for database replication and reducing ongoing administration and maintenance.

The existing office application used Microsoft SQL Server, while the Joomla membership website already used a MySQL-compatible database. Replication linked the two systems so that office staff and online members could work with the relevant membership information. Maintaining separate database platforms and the replication process added operational complexity and ongoing support work.

This project focused on adapting the .NET desktop application and its database access to use MySQL/MariaDB directly. It was not a migration of Joomla from SQL Server: the website was already on MySQL. Moving the office application onto the shared database platform was intended to remove the replication dependency, simplify the architecture and reduce the number of services and synchronisation processes needing maintenance.

A dedicated .NET migration tool supports the controlled transfer of membership, school, payment and related records from the live SQL Server database. Connection tests, table previews, non-writing dry runs and transactional imports help validate the data before handover, preserving record identities, historical payment information and established office workflows.

The work also upgrades sensitive financial information to modern encryption, with compatible handling in the Windows application, migration tool and existing membership website. Data validation, reconciliation and a controlled handover support the move to a simpler database architecture without changing the purpose of the existing membership system.

Key Features

  • 1. VB.NET Windows Forms application adapted from SQL Server to MySQL/MariaDB
  • 2. Removal of the dependency on SQL Server-to-MySQL replication
  • 3. Simpler database architecture with reduced ongoing administration and maintenance
  • 4. Controlled transfer of membership, school, payment and related records
  • 5. Preservation of record identities, historical BACS information and office workflows
  • 6. Migration previews, dry runs, transactional imports and reconciliation checks
  • 7. Modern encryption compatible with the Windows application and existing website

Technologies

  • 1. Microsoft .NET Framework and VB.NET
  • 2. Windows Forms desktop administration and migration tools
  • 3. MySQL/MariaDB - shared database platform
  • 4. Microsoft SQL Server - source database
  • 5. Parameterized database access and transactional data transfer

Additional

  • 1. Removal of database replication infrastructure
  • 2. Schema, identity and data validation
  • 3. Migration reports and reconciliation checks
  • 4. Integration with the existing PHP/Joomla membership website

Roles

  • Systems Architect - Alex Matthews & various contributors
  • Testers - Alex Matthews & various contributors
  • Developers - Alex Matthews & various contributors

Example application screenshots

Note: Any visible contact details are for demonstration purposes only