Expert Database Advice
Xynomix delivered a multifaceted Oracle project to improve compliance, reduce cost, and optimise performance for a nuclear site on behalf of Roc Technologies
Acting on behalf of Roc Technologies as part of major improvements to core internal IT infrastructure for a client operating in the nuclear sector, Xynomix migrated an Oracle database estate to new hardware, helping this high-security organisation ensure licence compliance and security across critical production environments.
Client
Nuclear Restoration Services
Industry
Nuclear
Technologies
Overview
In the nuclear sector, operational integrity is not merely a business goal; it is a regulatory mandate. For this client, the partnership with Xynomix began at a moment of maximum friction: a critical Oracle database failure that required immediate intervention.
While the database experts’ agile response resolved an initial crisis before commercial terms were even finalised, a subsequent deep-dive revealed a much bigger opportunity for optimisation and need for compliance within the decommissioned nuclear facility’s Oracle database infrastructure.
By conducting a comprehensive Oracle Estate Review (OER), Xynomix discovered a significant licensing deficit in the client’s estate. This was largely a result of legacy infrastructure, which utilised soft partitioning; a configuration that often leaves organisations exposed to immense financial liability and non-compliance under Oracle’s stringent auditing rules.
Nuclear Precision
Given the complex trust-based licensing model of Oracle’s database platform, resultant penalty fees can be exorbitant if deployments are found to be non-compliant by official audits from Licence Management Services.
Beyond the financial risk, the estate relied on ageing black-box systems to run mission-critical applications, most notably Dosimetry, the primary system for monitoring site radiation levels.
The challenge was clear: the client needed to modernise a fragile, non-compliant estate without disrupting the essential safety protocols of a high-security nuclear site. Cost-savings were also identified as part of the right-sizing and compliance objectives.
Strategic Consolidation
Acting as the specialist database partner for Roc Technologies, Xynomix developed a sophisticated roadmap to transition the client away from a position of risk to one of resilience. The centrepiece of this strategy was the migration to Oracle Database Appliance (ODA) hardware.
This shift was not merely a refresh; it was a strategic move to hard partitioning that allowed the client to pay only for the processor cores they actually used. By making this recommendation, Xynomix effectively neutralised a seven-figure licensing threat whilst bringing the estate into immediate compliance.
Hard Partitioning
The technical execution required a delicate balance of agility and patience. For highly sensitive information, like the Dosimetry Control System radiation monitoring application, Xynomix supported an exhaustive testing phase that spanned several months. This ensured the new environment met the rigorous standards of external governing bodies before a single byte of live data was moved.
To further bolster the site’s resilience, the team integrated Dbvisit to provide robust Disaster Recovery (DR) capabilities, ensuring that the Recovery Point and Recovery Time Objectives (RPO/RTO) met high-availability demands.
”I'm proud that Xynomix utilised Oracle Database Appliance to its full potential through KVM virtualisation. We weren’t just migrating databases in a high-security environment; we were helping to modernise decades-old legacy applications and providing the site with its first true Disaster Recovery capability. Seeing the recovery time drop from over four hours to under ten minutes is a significant win for an organisation where operational uptime is a critical safety requirement.
Gabriel AjalaSenior Oracle Technical Consultant - Xynomix
Success Through Collaboration
Reflecting on the collaborative nature of the project, Sally Gregson noted:
”As this was one of the largest and most complex projects we’ve undertaken, we knew its success would rely entirely on transparency and close partnership. By maintaining regular contact with both Roc Technologies and NRS Dounreay, we were able to navigate every regulatory hurdle and technical pivot to keep the project moving forward.
Sally GregsonCommercial Director - Xynomix
Trust and Operational Integrity
The project concluded as a resounding success, proving that even the most complex legacy environments can be modernised through collaborative expertise. By consolidating the estate and resolving the Oracle licence deficit, Xynomix protected the client from massive financial exposure and regulatory scrutiny.
Proudly, and despite the technical hurdles and the stringent requirements of the nuclear industry, the project also came in under budget. The true measure of success, however, was the evolution of the relationship.
Start to Finish and Beyond
What began as an emergency keep-the-lights-on intervention matured into a long-term trusted partnership between Roc Technologies, Xynomix and the client. The latter retained their managed service contract with Xynomix, ensuring that their database infrastructure remains patched, secure, and future-proofed.
By removing the weakest links in their technical chain, Xynomix enabled this high-security nuclear facility to focus on its core mission; with the confidence that their data remains in a safe, compliant, and expert pair of hands.
Benefits of Database Modernisation
Seamless Legacy Virtualisation
Migrating fragile, 20-year-old applications without breaking them posed a big technical hurdle. Xynomix used KVM virtualisation to plug-and-play these old environments, cloning them safely into modern ODA boxes without disrupting core software like the DCS5 radiation monitoring system.
Partner Perspective
”Roc Technologies partnered with Xynomix to drive the modernisation of a high-security customer’s Oracle environment, applying deep technical expertise to transform a complex legacy estate into a more efficient, compliant, and future-ready platform. Their ability to resolve critical challenges ensured modernisation could proceed at pace, reducing risk and enabling a more robust and sustainable database environment.
Sharon RamsbottomIT Operations Manager - Roc Technologies
Need Help?
If your organisation requires assistance with the database component of your technology stack, or you feel it’s time for a compliance review of your estate, contact Xynomix today!
