Porblems with upgrade from oracle8i to oracle9i

[vijaya sharma]

Hi,
I am given the task of migrating oracle8i database to oracle9i. everything is going fine except one thing.
At the application level,java programming is used which converts the date data into timestamp type and then stores the data in database as date as oracle8i does not have timestamp datatype.
Now when i import the data from oracle8i database into oracle9i database withaout any changes,it given me the metadata error that it requires type 31 whereas it is getting type 32.this error is resolved though,when i change the datatype from date to timestamp in oracle9i.
Please can you help me with this problem,i dont want to change the datatype in oracle9i from date to timestamp as that requires lot of work when importing data from oracle8i to oracle9i as it is a daily job of importing,any structural changes at that time looks very risky and unneccessary.
Thanx a million in advance.
VS

[SJ Adnams]

are you using the correct version of imp/exp?
(i guess exp with 8i, imp with 9i?)

[vijaya sharma]

Yes ,I am using the exp of 8i and imp of 9i.
I would like again specify the correct error which i get after i do the complete import from oracle8i into the 9i database.This is an application error,which comes while accessing the database via website having websphere in middle layer which takes the values stores as java timestamp and stores it back in database as date.
Error 500: Cannot fetch result set because SQL type of column 3 in meta data is 93 but actual type is 91.
This error is resolved when i alter the date datatype to timestamp.
All i want is not change the datatype after i do the import.
I will be extreamly thankful if you can help.
Also it would be great if someone can help me know the good business reasons for upgrading from oracle8i to oracle9i.i know all the technical advantages in terms of improved performance and easier management.it would be nice if someone can give some business reasons for upgrading since every businessman sees it from the point of increased revenues
Thanx to all you great people out there,
VS.