Oracle Application Express (APEX) Reviews

The primary use case involves numerous applications throughout the organization, primarily developed and employed through Oracle APEX.

The most valuable applications within the organization are primarily data forms and extended reports.

The main concern we encounter pertains to reporting. It would be highly beneficial if APEX were an all-in-one platform capable of handling all aspects of application development. There's room for improvement, particularly in terms of more prompt and responsive support.

I have been using it for eight years now.

It provides good stability capabilities.

It offers impressive integration capabilities and can handle a variety of tasks. It's worth noting that over a thousand employees in my company use APEX with ease.

My past encounters with Oracle support have sometimes been challenging. Their support system operates through a request-based approach, which can be understandable given their extensive client base. When you encounter technical roadblocks, having immediate assistance is crucial, as it can be difficult to carry on with your daily tasks without it.

I have experience with Microsoft products. In my work environment, I often encounter a mix of tools and technologies, so it's important to be versatile and not rely solely on one product. When I compare Oracle APEX with Microsoft BI, especially SSRS, Microsoft seems to have a more advanced edge in the realm of reporting. What sets APEX apart is its seamless integration with the backend and the convenience it offers to developers, particularly when it comes to low-code or rapid application deployment.

It enables a straightforward deployment process – just import and export, and you're good to go. Development is also user-friendly, with a wealth of pre-built components readily available. Regarding forms, templates in APEX are indeed quite useful.

I believe APEX comes bundled with the database, including autonomous database and other related database products, so the pricing is quite reasonable. While the database itself can be costly, the expenses are contingent on your specific needs and requirements.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who prefers rapid application development and it surpasses many other tools in the market. The product is user-friendly, and its intuitiveness makes it a standout choice for such development tasks. I would rate it eight out of ten.

In our company, we primarily use the tool for reporting, business purposes, and to fulfill some custom application user requests.

Since I use it mostly to find the reporting processes, I simply need to plug and play the required data and create the report, which can be shared with others using the CC option in my email.

Personally, I would say that Oracle Application Express (APEX) is a powerful tool. Regarding features, the solution lacks the ability to integrate with different databases. Also, I feel that Oracle Application Express (APEX) is exclusively designed for other Oracle tools. But that does cause any issues for my team or me since we are already familiar with the tool. However, it would be good if one could use the tool on another database.

I have experience with Oracle Application Express (APEX) for around two to three years. Currently, I am using Oracle Application Express (APEX) Version 5.0.

It is a stable product. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

My company has around four or five engineers who use the solution. However, taking a user-wise count, I would say the solution has over 1,000 users.

Even though we are an enterprise-sized company using the solution, I feel that the solution is better suited for small companies.

I can't comment on the solution's technical support team since I don't work as an IT engineer in our company's administrative affairs. It is my superiors who deal with Oracle's support team.

In our company, previously, we were using a .NET solution. We moved to Oracle Application Express (APEX) since it was more useful and convenient to use compared to the previous tool we used.

I believe that the solution's pricing is high. So, the price could be why my company is moving to another solution. Also, I have heard that it is more expensive than the other solutions.

Although we are satisfied with the current solution in our company, our organization has decided to migrate to the cloud, and they have chosen Azure as the cloud platform. We are responsible for following up with the migration process as a team. Though the cloud and on-premises versions are available for Oracle Application Express (APEX), my company chose Azure.

My company's database uses Oracle products along with Oracle Apache and Palo Alto.

The product's interface is intuitive and easy to use. I would tell those planning to use the solution that it is easy to use and learn. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

I use the solution for my private purposes.

The valuable features of Oracle Application Express (APEX), which I found to be the most beneficial for the development process, stem from the fact that it is a low-code platform based on PL/SQL. I have years of experience when it comes to RAC DB, and since it is used in the product, I can say that it is an efficient and convenient tool.

If our company tries to fit into the product exactly what the end users request, then the UI part can get complicated, making it an area of concern where improvements are required.

I experience a few problems when trying to send emails through Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, but I don't think it is an issue that is directly related to Oracle Application Express (APEX). The problem of sending emails arises when Oracle Application Express (APEX) is inside Oracle Cloud Infrastructure since it is a bit complicated or difficult to understand where to take care of the setup part to be able to just send out emails properly. The aforementioned details can be considered for improvement in the product.

I have been using Oracle Application Express (APEX) for nine months. Since the product is available on the cloud, it gets automatically updated to the latest version. My company is a customer of Oracle.

I didn't face any stability issues with the product. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

I don't know how many solutions are developed with the help of Oracle Application Express (APEX). The product is mostly used by developers, but not many prefer the tool as they favor Java-driven solutions.

My company mostly integrates the product for our customers.

I have contacted the technical support team for the solution, and I found them to be very supportive. I rate the technical support an eight out of ten.

Positive

I don't use other products. I have been working with Oracle products for more than thirty years.

In terms of deployment, I take care of it manually. I don't know how to deploy the product in an automated way. I rate the deployment phase an eight out of ten.

I take care of product deployment, and I offer help to our company's customers with quick and fast solutions to their issues.

The solution is deployed on the cloud. I use Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, which offers private cloud services.

The solution can be deployed in a few minutes.

There is a need to make monthly payments towards the licensing costs attached to the solution. I use Oracle Application Express (APEX) on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, meaning I basically pay to use the cloud services and not for the product. Basically, Oracle Application Express (APEX) is free as it comes as a part of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

I rate the product's price as ten on a scale of one to ten, where one is a high price, and ten is a low price.

Oracle Application Express (APEX) runs in a database from Oracle. I use the database from Oracle on the cloud, where there are certain free versions available, but I pay for the version I use.

Most of the time, I use Oracle Application Express (APEX) for RAD in our organization.

Oracle Application Express (APEX) as a low-cost platform has impacted our company's productivity and project timelines since it is a simple task and offers efficiency, but considering what a user requires to fit in, especially in terms of UI and UX, it can be a much more complicated tool than the other technology in the market.

I don't need to integrate the product with other tools. For IT or web service providers, the integration part of the product works very well. The tool is also easy to implement.

No maintenance or troubleshooting is required for the product. A third party or subcontractor is involved in the maintenance and troubleshooting of the product.

I recommend the product to those who plan to use it because it is easy to use, and its features support the entire solution.

I rate the tool a nine out of ten.

I was tasked with configuring APEX for an internet installation. I'm uncertain about its specific purpose, as my involvement was limited to the tool's configuration, and I do not know the development aspects.

During the upcoming versions, we can modify the current configuration.

I have been using APEX for a few months.

I would rate the stability 9 out of 10. Every software has inherent bugs that can cause temporary unavailability. We work on fixing such issues.

We haven't encountered performance issues with the current workload, and if the workload increases, the scalability of APEX is directly linked to the scalability of the Oracle database. Since APEX functions as one of the components in the Oracle database, it is easily scalable.

We haven't encountered complex issues requiring Oracle support. Most tasks can be completed by referring to documentation or logs. 

It's a great product. Based on the level of easiness of installation, I would rate it three out of five. You need to have an Oracle database as the minimum requirement for APEX. Additionally, an HTTP server is necessary. While I'm not sure if it works with Apache, Oracle has its own HTTP server software, and in the latest version, they use WebLogic. Also, ensure that the Oracle listener is up and running.

It is easy to deploy, and I did it myself by following the documentation. It took about three hours, and we didn't use a consultant or integrator; we handled it in-house. Once the tool is deployed, developers only need to configure it according to their requirements. The development effort is minimal as many components are readily available.

Overall, on a scale of one to ten, I would rate Oracle APEX a nine.

In some cases, it is a difficult tool. However, we have found that Oracle is more of a database and not a good tool for application development. As a result, we are currently facing some challenges, and we have not received enough help from the community. We are working hard to find solutions.

We had developed a CRM for the public and companies, and we were facing a few problems. The first problem was encrypting the customer's data so that it could not be seen. The second problem was integration, which was not as easy as Salesforce, even though we are also a partner of Salesforce. Salesforce is much easier to integrate compared to Oracle APEX. And the third challenge we faced was with the UI.

These are some of the challenges I am currently facing. We have been investing a lot of time and money into Oracle Apex. However, we are facing difficulties in integrating it with third-party applications. For example, if we want to integrate a payment gateway or accounting tool like Zero or QuickBooks. We are struggling to find a solution to this. Additionally, we want to integrate AI-based chatbots that can accept and create records through voice commands. We were considering working with Oracle APEX, but we may not be able to test it.

Databases are the most valuable feature in Oracle APEX for me. The database is super easy to use for creating tables.

The most important thing, in my opinion, is that it should allow end-users to create their own custom fields. For example, if you are my customer and you want to create custom fields, you should be able to do that yourself.

Secondly, it should be easy to map fields with other objects like CRM. If you are creating custom fields in the lead and want to create a few custom fields going further on the account contact opportunity, the end customer should be able to do this themselves rather than depending on us every time.

In the next release, we would like to see easy integration with third-party applications. Currently, Oracle is lacking big time in the marketplace. If you look at Salesforce, they have more than four thousand applications that you can easily download and configure with their platform. On the other hand, Oracle Apex has a limited marketplace, with only a few companies offering basic applications. Moreover, the existing marketplace applications are not fancy or AI-based. AI is a big thing, and Oracle is currently working on it.

I have been using this solution for three years. We are using version 22.5.

It is a stable solution. I would rate the stability a seven out of ten.

I would rate the scalability of Oracle APEX a four out of ten. Oracle is more of a database-oriented solution and is not very flexible in app development.

We have only received support from MaxApex people, who have been pretty helpful. Sometimes we get stuck with configuration issues, and they advise us on how to resolve them. They also showed us how to encrypt our data. However, if Oracle APEX has a professional community, it would be great to get more help because no company in the world has a UI like the one we have in our CRM.

We haven't received any support from Oracle. We've only received support from MaxApex.

We used Salesforce before. However, we switched to Oracle Application Express because it's not user-based but rather database-oriented. With it, we can create users and set prices based on our preferences rather than being limited by Salesforce's CRM options. Someone from an Oracle background suggested we try it out during our initial phase, and it was super easy for us to create pages, layouts, and fields. However, we need help as we move forward.

The initial setup was straightforward. However, as we started doing more development work, we faced a lot of challenges. I rate the initial setup at eight on a scale of one to ten.

Down the road, at a later stage, I would rate it a two or three at maximum. The initial setup was easy, but as the complexity of the project increased, we encountered several difficulties. Currently, we only have two people who take care of maintenance and development. We have slowed down our development since we have been doing this for the past three years.

The deployment was done in-house since we have our own team of developers who took care of it. The deployment didn't take much time because MaxApex was really good, and they helped us in different areas. We have deployed it in the cloud version and used MaxApex as our cloud provider. We contacted MaxApex, and they provided us with enough space on the cloud. The rest of the deployment was handled by our technical team. Moreover, we only needed two experienced people who help us deploy on the cloud.

I would rate it around an eight in terms of price, with one being low and ten being high.

We only tried Salesforce. Salesforce has a platform called Force.com, but there was a limitation on the number of objects we could create. If we had to create more than ten objects, Salesforce would start charging twenty-five dollars per user per month. If we wanted to create an unlimited number of objects, Salesforce would charge a hundred dollars per user per month. As we were targeting a market with customers who may not have a big budget, we were trying to find a more cost-effective solution. So we were looking for a more affordable and cost-effective solution for these customers.

I would rate this product as a five out of ten, right in the middle. Number one, it is easy to scale for simple matters. However, when it comes to complex development, it can be challenging and time-consuming.

It's a low-code platform where you can go for any customization or dashboard. You can use the solution to create any application, and then we can connect with the real-time API.

You can customize the solution to create a console where only business users can access and download files if they want to extract the data.

The migration process is difficult in Oracle Application Express. It would be helpful if the solution provided more video tutorials and upfront problem-solving documentation in the future.

I have been using Oracle Application Express (APEX) for one and a half years.

Oracle Application Express is a stable solution.

Our clients for Oracle Application Express are small-scale businesses.

The solution is moderately priced, where it is neither cheap nor expensive. The solution's pricing depends on how it is going to be utilized. Almost 5GB to 20GB of database would be free. Anything more than that needs to be procured, and then it'll be charged monthly. Users have to pay extra to own the license and for its maintenance.

The solution's low-code approach is very good. It improves our productivity and adds a different layer to the existing products, which gives visibility to the customer. It's easy to configure Oracle Application Express.

Maintaining the solution is not very difficult. It will be difficult if you want to change the existing framework and don't know the functionality properly. Only a technical person who has already worked with the platform can upgrade the solution.

Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.

I use Oracle APEX to build forms and pages for end users to easily manage customer complaints and perform quick fixes. By providing a user-friendly interface with proper validation, we empower end users to address issues themselves, reducing the need for backend database intervention. APEX has been a highly efficient tool for facilitating user transactions and resolving customer complaints swiftly.

One standout feature of Oracle APEX is its seamless integration with backend procedures, allowing for quick updates without changing the front-end interface. Additionally, dynamic actions streamline user interactions, enabling complex behaviors like button interactions and API calls with ease. These features drastically improve development efficiency by simplifying backend-to-frontend changes and providing extensive customization options through dynamic actions.

One area for improvement in Oracle APEX is its workflow orchestration capabilities. While it excels in forms and reports, handling complex workflows with waiting states and asynchronous responses needs enhancement. Simplifying workflow management to align with modern architecture standards, like in Fusion, would make APEX more robust and user-friendly.

I have been using Oracle APEX for two years.

Comparing Oracle Form Builder to Oracle APEX, the major advantage of APEX is its ease of layout customization and built-in features, making it more user-friendly than Form Builder. In APEX, layout adjustments are simple with pre-built options and HTML functions, while Form Builder requires meticulous coding and often relies on custom PLL files for advanced customization. Additionally, APEX allows seamless execution of PLC code from the backend, unlike Form Builder, where syntax differences complicate the process. Overall, APEX offers a more streamlined and efficient development experience compared to Form Builder.

Setting up Oracle APEX is straightforward and usually requires just a one-time installation. It is often included for free with Oracle Database versions starting from 11c. Despite its availability, many users may not be aware of it. APEX serves as both a development and reporting tool, addressing users' dynamic and regular data needs efficiently. With APEX, we can quickly develop custom reports or interactive grids within minutes, automating processes and saving significant time in development cycles, typically taking just two to three months from requirement gathering to deployment.

I use Oracle APEX for rapid prototyping and deployment. It is the most efficient tool I have used, significantly reducing development time compared to older platforms. With its low-code interface and abundance of features like dynamic actions, APEX simplifies development, especially for those familiar with traditional forms. Its web-based nature and minimal need for customization further enhance its usability. Overall, APEX streamlines the development process and enables quick deployment of applications with minimal coding effort.

The integration capabilities of Oracle APEX are impressive. We have leveraged backend database connections via DB links to interact with multiple databases seamlessly. This allows us to consolidate data from different sources and generate comprehensive reports within a single APEX application. While we haven't fully explored all integration possibilities, APEX supports various functions like JSON files, web services, and REST APIs, offering potential for future integrations, such as with customer compliance systems. 

Overall, I would rate Oracle APEX as an eight out of ten.

We use Apex for the development of publications, specifically in the context of a payroll system. Presently, we are using Apex version 20, but there is an update available to version 31.2. The migration was not a one-to-one transfer, as leveraging Apex effectively requires a shift in programming approach to create an optimal user interface. Adapting to Apex involves relinquishing old programming habits, but the platform offers extensive capabilities that, once mastered, facilitate a user-friendly experience.

In our experience with Apex, we find that minimizing reliance on HTML and JavaScript is preferable, especially considering our background as seasoned programmers adept in PL/SQL. Incorporating HTML and JavaScript can pose challenges due to potential compatibility issues when updates are made to JavaScript. We also make use of JASPER report integration for generating reports, a practice integral to our reporting procedures.    

Apex has effectively incorporated new market trends into its features. The platform's user-friendly nature is notable, guiding developers through the development process. While advanced customization of the user interface with HTML and CSS is possible, the out-of-the-box options often suffice, providing 80-90% of the required functionality. The IDE is commendable, yet an enhancement in the Page Designer to allow a real-time preview of layout changes would be beneficial. Currently, running the page is necessary to visualize layout adjustments, but an immediate preview during the design phase would be a valuable improvement.

We have been using Oracle Application Express (APEX) since 2011.

It is easy to install and I would rate the installment process 8 out of 10, a piece of cake.

The installment process for our system can be intricate, especially considering ODBC connections to the Oracle database. This involves optimizing for sharing and accommodating multiple users, ensuring efficient session management. Unlike a user-friendly click-and-install approach, our Linux-based installation demands a command-line understanding, necessitating familiarity with Linux commands. We opt for Linux over Windows Server, prioritizing cost-effectiveness with platforms like Oracle Lenovo or CentOS.Initially, we provided hosting on our cloud but encountered challenges with clients reluctant to pay for hosting services. Factors such as unreliable internet and frequent electricity outages in Venezuela further contributed to this preference for on-premise deployment.

Apex is not priced separately; instead, it is associated with the Oracle database. A free option for Oracle database and Apex can be downloaded and installed on this complimentary database version. This aligns with our current approach.

I would rate it 9 out of 10.