So, conversion is necessary. Having written a database converter or two in my time, I can tell you--it's a major pain. ESFDatabase Convertor helps take away some of the pain.
ESFDatabase Convertor has a very simple, straightforward, user interface. It is basically a Wizard--select data input, click next. Select data output, click next. Pick tables, edit fields, wait for results. It's effortless to run. There are a small number of settings and options, but not page after page of buttons, checkboxes, and fields to fill out before you convert. The upside is, this is quick and easy and anyone can do it; the downside is, it might fail for truly complex conversion problems.
The biggest issue I found with ESFDatabase Convert is that there's no facility I could see to convert data values alongside data formats. By this I mean, if your company uses the value of '1' to mean 'Order Fulfilled', and the incoming data uses the letter 'O', there's nothing to say "Turn every 'O' in this column into a '1'". You can change column type, of course--turning a number into a character or a long field into a shorter one (with the risk of data truncation).
Beyond that, it does the job it has to do, with a very large range of input and output types, the ability to select specific tables or specific fields, a preview mode to check conversion values, and easy renaming of fields, or tables, from the input to the output source. It's not very pricey for programs in its class, but it's not a whim-level purchase either; download the trial and see how often you use it.
Note: This trial is limited to 10 rows per table.
--Ian Harac
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