Prior to OnBase 13, OnBase was limited to storing approximately two billion documents in a single database. This limitation was the result of OnBase storing Document Handles as 32-bit integer fields in the database. 32-bit integer fields can store a maximum positive value of roughly 2.14 billion.
As of OnBase 13, newly created OnBase databases will allow for the storage of up to one quadrillion documents. Shown as a numeral, that is a 1 followed by 15 zeros. This change will not affect the majority of OnBase users who upgrade to OnBase 13 since it pertains only to newly created OnBase systems. The following three scenarios are possible:
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Existing OnBase users who upgrade and intend to operate within the current two billion documents limitation will not have to do anything to their databases in preparation for the upgrade. After the upgrade, their systems will still be limited to storing roughly 2.14 billion documents.
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Existing OnBase users who have an immediate or anticipated need to store more than two billion documents in a single database will need to go through a significant manual conversion of their existing database(s). This includes current customers using multiple databases who wish to consolidate them.
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Customers installing new OnBase systems with OnBase 13 will automatically have the higher capacity storage.
Significant development went into raising the document limit for OnBase 13, which uses a larger (64-bit) integer field to store the Document Handle. The OnBase 13 product suite now operates properly against both styles of databases. There is no performance difference based on how Document Handles are stored, nor are there any other benefits beyond the greater document capacity.
Hyland Software’s go-forward strategy is to maintain compatibility with all future versions of OnBase, which will run successfully on databases with 32-bit integer fields. With over 11,000 deployed OnBase systems as of 2013, it is imperative that each of these systems continues to operate successfully with all future versions of OnBase.
With only the exceptions noted below, the entirety of the OnBase product suite will operate with the larger Document Handle fields. Modules that are not compatible with the larger Document Handle fields will not operate if the system detects Document Handles greater than 2.14 billion. These are generally modules that have had their End-of-Life status listed for one or more years already.
If you believe you will be affected by this change, please contact your support organization to make sure Hyland Software is aware of your needs. The conversion of an existing database to support larger Document Handles is not a trivial undertaking and may require planning tailored to your specific needs.