Oracle Database Reviews

Most recent involvement was the migration of a large database from a non-relational legacy database requiring redundancy with aggressive recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO) for the disaster recovery (DR) environment. We also had a requirement to have the migration completed and the data validated within a single long weekend. 

Significant assistance in tuning both the migration process and the production database was provided by Oracle Consulting Services, which provided excellent and very professional advice.

Switching to Oracle significantly increased stability of the application, and enabled ongoing growth of the application's data. It also provided better insight and diagnostics when data problems were encountered by the application.

RAC clustering allowed us to improve performance and provided additional redundancy. In general, the enterprise-grade features of Oracle are second to none.

In the case noted above, the converted legacy data was stored as XML. The 11gR2 version we converted to stored it as a Character Large OBject (CLOB). The next version of Oracle has a native XML data type, which provides better support for indexing the XML data.

Because of the way the application used the database, we found that two data servers increased performance, but a third one decreased it. This was a limitation based on the way the legacy application configured and used their data and how they did their own locking, which made their lock table a hotspot for the clustering, among other issues.

There was a bit of a learning experience on how to escalate an issue, but once we got through that, the vendor support was really very good.

The previous solution was a non-relational multi-valued database called jBASE.  The database size was exceeding the application vendor's recommended maximum for that database, but their application had the ability to use a number of relational databases with their enterprise features as an alternate data store allowing continued growth.

Initial setup was complex because of the odd way the application used the database, the application vendor's conversion tools, and our stringent requirements.

Implementation was done by a combination of the vendor, the application vendor, and in-house. The vendor teams were exceptionally good.

The ability to continue growing and increased stability were our non-negotiable points.

Be prepared to pay for consulting services, and do not underestimate the time required to find and hire good quality database administrators. Also, carefully evaluate your sizing and performance requirements, involving if you can, both the application vendor and Oracle consultants.

In addition to Oracle, we evaluated SQL Server and DB2.

Do a couple dry runs do thorough testing to ensure that everything will work as expected.

We use Oracle Database to run applications. We use it for our clients' databases and applications.

Whenever a client has problems or requires new implementations, they approach us. We provide training and coaching with application implementations. Currently, one such implementation is underway in the UK.

The product is very stable. We use it for supporting applications, including data warehousing.

The solution could be cheaper and adopt AI space.

I have been using Oracle Database for 25 years.

The product is stable.

I rate the solution’s stability a nine out of ten.

The solution’s scalability is good. It caters to small and medium enterprises with different products and ranges.

I rate the solution’s scalability a nine out of ten.

Technical support could get better.

Neutral

The initial setup is quite simple. We mostly use the installation pack and code pack. Our setup includes a script center, shell scripts, and commercial Java courses.

The product is expensive.

We use database clusters for different clients depending on the SLA. We use Oracle Clusterware and Oracle Advanced Compression. We use These specific options for various clients; however, the selection depends on the client's needs.

We have robust protection measures that are ensured using encryption technologies such as Transparent Database Encryption provided by Oracle. These features are available across all our database offerings, and we have implemented them for our clients accordingly.

We are heavily involved in AI development, and eventually, our products are tailored to fit into the AI space seamlessly.

Integrations are pretty transparent based on the type of solutions and the specific customer requirements. Customer relations between Oracle products are typically straightforward, whereas integrating with third-party products may present some challenges.

Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

We use Oracle Database for our Internet ERP. This ERP system encompasses various modules such as HCM, purchasing, inventory management, sales order management, production, finance, and controlling.

If we make a mistake on the development side, we can recover it. However, we don't have this capability with other databases.

Oracle Database is expensive. 

I have been using the product for seven years. 

Our scalability relies heavily on our deep understanding of data relations. By leveraging this knowledge and adapting it to the Oracle Database, we can align our business processes with our requirements. My company has four users. 

The tool's deployment is not complicated and takes 20 minutes to one hour to complete. It maintenance is not hard and requires only one to two resources. 

The tool is complex; we can use SQL language to accomplish tasks, similar to other solutions. Most Oracle developers and users are familiar with SQL, so it's not challenging. I rate the product an eight out of ten. The rating of eight instead of ten is because we have a lot of management solutions in place now that are not solely dependent on the database structure.

Oracle Database is a database for electronic channel. We use the solution to collect transaction data from banks, financial institutions, and potential customers.

It enables us to comply with our security guidelines, and it is automated.

The product could be cheaper.

I have been using Oracle Database for 15 years.

The solution is like a real application cluster.

I rate the solution’s stability a ten out of ten.

The solution’s scalability is good from a technical perspective. We are shifting to other products because of the basic cost.

Around 4,000 users are using this solution.

The organization provide top-notch support.

The initial setup is neither easy nor complex. With DB experience and product support, it is quite easy. It would be complex for a new guy.

Oracle Database is a very expensive solution, but it is very stable. Financial institutions are moving to online channels. It can handle traffic very well.

I recommend leveraging Oracle's logging capabilities, as it can efficiently offload tasks such as reporting, backups, and more. This allows for utilising commodity platforms, reducing reliance on proprietary systems and enabling the adoption of internal IMD platforms.

Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

I use the solution to run my ERP software.

The solution is not for everyday use. It is not easy to use and maintain. As it is on a Linux server, all its maintenance is outsourced for management as a DBA. 

The interface could be more user-friendly.

I have been using Oracle Database for 15 years.

The solution is very stable.

The solution could be more scalable. 

I did not use other solutions prior to using Oracle Database.

The initial setup is complex.

It can take up to 48 hours.

We made use of an integrator. 

I pay to have the deployment and maintenance outsourced.

There is a need to pay for a license for the solution. This must be done annually. 

The license is inexpensive. 

We use the solution in an organizational setting. There are between 30 and 40 licenses. 

I would not recommend this product to just anyone, only to technical professionals. 

I rate Oracle Database as an eight out of ten. 

We developed some products, and most of them run in Oracle because our company is an Oracle partner. In fact, we're using Oracle and SQL Server, and I have more experience with that (SQL Server). But the main core of the company is more related to Oracle.

More robust product

I like that it's a robust product. It has very good features. One good feature is Oracle RAC because, in SQL Server, we don't have that. SQL Server has something similar (SQL Server AlwaysOn), but it's not the same stuff.

It's not very user-friendly, and it's a little complex. Another issue that I don't like is the licensing complexity. It's because of the SQL Server. We have several distinct editions, and I know that if I get the Enterprise Edition, I will have all the products. But with Oracle, I can get the Enterprise Edition, but if I need some kind of encryption, I need to pay more. If I need some kind of replication, I need to pay more, and so on. Every time my team needs some of this stuff, we have to ask Oracle. So, what's the point of the license?

I have been dealing with Oracle Database for more than 20 years.

I think it's a stable product, but we had to add some special patches in the past because of bugs in the product, especially on Oracle REX. 

We always have support from Oracle.

The initial setup is more complex than SQL Server. SQL Server is very easy to set up and log in. Oracle is a little more complicated.

Oracle Database is expensive. We also need to buy additional products.

I would recommend Oracle Database to potential users. But I would tell them that it depends on their main goal. It depends on how they want to use the database. They also have to consider the costs because Oracle is more expensive. 

On a scale from one to ten, I would give Oracle Database an eight.

You can put any application on Oracle, but it is especially used for financial and billing use cases.

Oracle Database is very flexible.

Two of the valuable features are the Application Clusters and Data Guard.

The price of the Oracle Database should be cheaper.

I have been using Oracle Database for approximately 20 years.

The stability is good, and we plan to continue using it in the future.

This is a scalable product. You can grow, and you can add things to do. We have approximately 10,000 users in our organization.

I use technical support once in a while and I find that they are improving. Over the years, there has been a big improvement in terms of support.

Prior to Oracle, I ran Adabas. Currently, I also use MySQL.

We have done hundreds of installations. Some of them are quick, whereas others take a long time. There is no one answer as to how easy or difficult it is to set up.

We have five database administrations who maintain it.

The pricing is expensive, which is a major issue. We pay a yearly maintenance fee.

The Oracle Database is a monster, with many faces and many parts. It can be used for everything. I cannot see any room for major improvement, other than perhaps the price.

I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.

We use it for our business purposes.

The concurrency, consistency, and security features are the most valuable. It is also a very robust solution.

There are plenty of options and features in this solution, but they are, somehow, not being used very well. Therefore, training and support should be increased and improved for this solution. 

They can make people aware of how to make proper use of their server so that people can optimize it because its cost is just too much. They can provide training on the policies and procedures to be used for archiving and all such things.

There should be some kind of segregation in licensing. With a full license, all options should be available. There should also be a basic license with limited functionalities. This kind of basic license would be useful for us because we don't use most of the functionalities.

I have been using Oracle Database since 1988. 

It is absolutely stable.

It is scalable. We have around 2,000 users, and they use it daily on a 24/7 basis.

We don't use Oracle support. There is an administration team, and they get in touch with Oracle. I only get in touch with our administration team.

We are also using Microsoft SQL Server. Oracle Database has more advantages, but Microsoft SQL Server provides value for money.

I don't set it up, but from what I know, it is not very difficult.

We take the help of the agents from whom we buy the support. For its maintenance, we have two people. One person is from our company, and the other person is provided by Oracle.

It is very expensive. We pay in dollars, so the inflation and conversion cost is also there for us. They charge on a yearly basis for the license.

They are coming up with lots of features that will allow a lot of work to be done with respect to the database. They are going to give JSON storage, where JSON objects can be directly stored.

I would rate Oracle Database an eight out of ten.