We primarily use the solution for auditing purposes.
Consultant at Payfront Technologies India Pvt Ltd
Good database with good processing and very good stability
Pros and Cons
- "From a database product perspective, I would say, they're good in what they provide. There's not much concern."
- "If their database encryption features could come in bytes, that would be a major improvement. They should bring the encryption model to their standard databases as well."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The best feature of the solution is the capability of running extreme processes for database processing requirements.
From a database product perspective, I would say, they're good in what they provide. There's not much concern.
What needs improvement?
For our organization, the price is the main factor that needs improvement. They charge you exorbitantly for a license, and, I would say, they are not doing justice to today's industry requirements when it comes to a pricing model. They talk about cloud hybrid on-prem solutions, and they tell you that you have a cloud solution that will benefit your company considerably, however, it's just a lot of cut-throat pricing that they offer.
From the perspective of using the database in a legacy product, some people are usually stuck with it, and they need to continue working on that. That's a new thing they have not been able to change. The licensing model works in a different way altogether. It's not really very friendly for management to take decisions when it comes to executing licensing right for a product like this.
If their database encryption features could come in bytes, that would be a major improvement. They should bring the encryption model to their standard databases as well.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using the solution for about seven years now.
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November 2024
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
In terms of stability, it's got a little bit more stability than it used to be. It's good. It's been quite stable, however, I believe the stability is limited to a standard model of licensing that we are provided.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support has been very good for us. We have no complaints. We're satisfied with the level of service we've been provided. They are very helpful.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The licensing costs are very high. We feel the solution is price gouging its customers.
The solution has a standard license, which is different from an enterprise license. If you need the encryption feature, you need to go up to enterprise licensing which has a whole lot of other features that you may not even be using. Encryption is a top requirement in the industry, however, you're forced to use the enterprise edition if you need to use anything like this. That said, it is always better to go to a standard edition, which has more limited capabilities but can still fit into your product perspective.
What other advice do I have?
I'm not reselling this product. I'm using this for designing my own product, and I'm giving it as a solution to my customer. If I need to work out pricing for my customer, there may be my own raw materials that come into play.
The raw materials that come into play should be considered in order to make a better pricing model, which in turn can help me get a better solution for my clients. If the base product that you use is so expensive, like this is, it doesn't make sense. I would start looking at other products. That's what I'm doing. I need to better scale my capabilities.
I'd recommend Mongo Database over this product for that reason.
I'd rate the solution overall eight out of ten. It's very good. It's just a bit too expensive for my purposes.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Technical Project Manager at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
RAC clustering allowed us to improve performance and provided additional redundancy
Pros and Cons
- "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."
- "It provided better insight and diagnostics when data problems were encountered by the application."
- "RAC clustering allowed us to improve performance and provided additional redundancy."
- "Initial setup was complex because of the odd way the application used the database, the application vendor's conversion tools, and our stringent requirements."
What is our primary use case?
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.
How has it helped my organization?
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.
What is most valuable?
RAC clustering allowed us to improve performance and provided additional redundancy. In general, the enterprise-grade features of Oracle are second to none.
What needs improvement?
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.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
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.
How are customer service and technical support?
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.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
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.
How was the initial setup?
Initial setup was complex because of the odd way the application used the database, the application vendor's conversion tools, and our stringent requirements.
What about the implementation team?
Implementation was done by a combination of the vendor, the application vendor, and in-house. The vendor teams were exceptionally good.
What was our ROI?
The ability to continue growing and increased stability were our non-negotiable points.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
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.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
In addition to Oracle, we evaluated SQL Server and DB2.
What other advice do I have?
Do a couple dry runs do thorough testing to ensure that everything will work as expected.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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November 2024
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Senior Principal Consultant at BroadPoint, Inc.
The flash drive recovery feature is the most valuable aspect of ODB for us.
What is most valuable?
The flash drive recovery feature is the most valuable aspect of ODB for us. There have been many instances when a user mistakenly deletes important files from their flash drive and ODB has been able to recover that data.
What needs improvement?
The biggest area of improvement that I can suggest is with the stability. I've been using ODB for a while now, and there are have been occasional instances of bugs, glitches, and hiccups. It's never anything major, but they have been annoying. Yes, it's improved over time, but there always seems to be something that has to be fixed.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
We haven't had any issues with deployment.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It hasn't been 100% stable, but I think over time it has become more stable than previously.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It has scalability. We haven't had any issues with being unable to scale it.
How are customer service and technical support?
In our experience, the level of technical support has been in the middle. There are times when they're really good, and there are times when we've had to solve issues ourselves.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We didn't use a previous solution. It's always been our database product.
How was the initial setup?
Although I don't do setups anymore myself, I found it very easy and straightforward.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We didn't look at other options. It was the first database solution we used.
What other advice do I have?
It has evolved pretty well generally. There are consistently new features and Oracle is making ODB more useful.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Sr Enterprise Database Admin at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
It gives us 99% uptime while reliably capturing all the data that's important to our business.
Valuable Features
In our business, we deal with vast amounts of financial data. We need to be able to capture all of it accurately without any downtime. We're able to do that with ODB because it gives us 99% uptime while reliably capturing all the data that's important to our business.
Room for Improvement
The look and feel of it needs improvement. It looks and feels the same throughout, but there are times when we want or need a different instance to have a different look and feel. In other words, it would be nice to be able to customize it to better suit our needs.
Deployment Issues
We've had no issues with deployment.
Stability Issues
It's very good, very stable. We're in our own ODB shop, and so far we haven't seen any issues with instability.
It is very good, very stable. We are in our own Database shop, and so far we haven't seen any issues.
Scalability Issues
We can scale it, and we are currently exploring cloud options.
Customer Service and Technical Support
We are always in touch with Oracle support, so we create cases with them often. They are very good and very consistent across all our Oracle products at every location. Technical support is centralized so we know we'll get good, consistent service from the reps.
Initial Setup
It's very easy and straightforward to set up.
Implementation Team
We implemented it in-house because it was so easy.
Other Solutions Considered
We are actually exploring other products like GoldenGate. We believe this product will give us our next big break. We're also looking into Cloud Control 13c.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Technical Manager - Enterprise Application at Thakral One (Pvt) Ltd
The dynamic PL/SQL feature lets me generate custom and ad hoc reports
Pros and Cons
- "The most important features of Oracle Database are ease of use and high reliability. I also love the dynamic PL/SQL feature, which I use to generate custom and ad hoc reports."
- "Oracle support is helpful, and they resolve all our issues, but sometimes the response to our clients isn't as prompt as we'd like."
What is our primary use case?
I work as a software developer designing DevOps and implementing Oracle applications with Oracle Database. I design and develop core banking systems, so my role was to manage a team of developers for design, development, and testing. I do some implementation, too. Our customers use Oracle Database as an RDBMS store data.
What is most valuable?
The most important features of Oracle Database are ease of use and high reliability. I also love the dynamic PL/SQL feature, which I use to generate custom and ad hoc reports.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've worked with Oracle Database for more than 15 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Oracle Database is a stable product. Oracle has raised the standards for RDBMS solutions. Most banks and government organizations in Nepal use Oracle Database because they're highly reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Oracle Database is scalable. I've deployed the solution at a government tax agency with more than 500 users. The core banking system was implemented at a bank with 22 branches all over Nepal and 200-plus users. Our most recent public sector project had over 100 users.
How are customer service and support?
Oracle support is helpful, and they resolve all our issues, but sometimes the response to our clients isn't as prompt as we'd like.
How was the initial setup?
Deploying Oracle Database is easy for me because I have so many years of experience. The team needed for deployment depends on the project. I had a team of 10 software developers for the core banking system, but we used a six-person crew for one of the government projects, including the front-end developer and documentation experts.
We have a team of four certified Oracle Database admins providing support. What I call EMC is something that provides software upgrade solutions, security passes, and everything, but the customer also needs some local support for creating the VR side to back up the client's data and other daily maintenance. We provide this type to banking and government customers in Nepal.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
My company is an Oracle Gold Partner, so we proved licenses to the customers as well. The license price is listed globally on the Oracle site. It's basically license plus EMC.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Oracle Database nine out of 10. Oracle releases new versions every year. It's now on 21C, and they regularly provide security patches and bug fixes. The customer will have issues without them. I think Oracle is doing a good job. They are investing massive resources into development.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Management Consultant at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Stable relational database management system with good partitioning and analytic functions
Pros and Cons
- "Stable solution with analytic and partitioning functions that work well."
- "Technical support and how they treat their customers need to be improved."
What is our primary use case?
I'm working as a BI consultant, so the usual use cases for this solution are creating data integration and building a data mart.
What is most valuable?
The features I found most valuable on Oracle Database are the standard features: partitioning and analytic functions.
What needs improvement?
Oracle's technical support needs improvement.
Oracle should really continue working on their cloud topics. Everything they're currently doing on the cloud is on the right path, but they need to continue working on it.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Oracle Database for 15 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Oracle Database is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
As an on-premise solution, scalability depends on the hardware, but I find Oracle Database scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I contacted Oracle technical support in the past about a bigger issue and it was a hassle. On a scale of one to five, with one being the worst and five being the best, I'll give technical support a score of three.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I'm using all kinds of products, and it's not that I'm switching from one product to another. The product I'm using will depend on the client. We choose products that would be the best fit for the architecture. Architecture and pricing are the main points for choosing which product to use for each client.
How was the initial setup?
Oracle Database is more complex than any other database that I have installed so far. On a scale of one to five, with one being the worst and five being the best, I'm rating the initial setup for this solution a three.
What about the implementation team?
I implemented Oracle Database in-house.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing for Oracle Database is on the high-end side. In addition to the standard licensing and fixed fees for this solution, there's a cost for implementation and additional services.
Their licensing policy also needs improvement.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I evaluated Microsoft SQL Server.
What other advice do I have?
I have experience with MicroStrategy and also with SQL server reporting tools. The last time I worked with MicroStrategy was two years ago. With Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services, I didn't work with it for a long time. I'm not currently working with it.
I'm not much into development nowadays. The only tool I'm currently working with directly is any kind of database, or with Power BI, e.g. Oracle Database, SQL Server, Access, etc.
In our organization, we don't use Oracle Database. In my own company, we don't use this solution, because it's being used on the client side. I'm working as a consultant, so I'm using it and most of the other tools, always on behalf of my clients.
Deployment for this solution took an hour, and what I did was a fresh install, not an update. I just set up a new Oracle database to try out new things, and not for setting it up on the client site. I implemented it myself and didn't need a third party or a technical team to help with the deployment.
I have no idea on the licensing costs of Oracle Database because it's the clients who pay for the licenses.
If I would install a new database, I would not go for Oracle. If Oracle Database is currently installed in the company, then it's okay to use it, otherwise, I won't recommend it as a new installation. My reason for not recommending it to others is because of their bad license policy and how they've treated their customers badly, in the past.
I'm giving Oracle Database a score of eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Systems Administrator at Dairibord
Stable and easy to install
Pros and Cons
- "One of the most valuable features is the stability."
- "Oracle Database could be improved by adding more automation."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case is for managing our ERP solutions. We use SAP as well. Oracle Database is deployed on-prem.
What is most valuable?
One of the most valuable features is the stability.
What needs improvement?
Oracle Database could be improved by adding more automation.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Oracle Database for around 15 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This solution is very, very, very stable.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We didn't use another solution before Oracle. At that time, I think most of the applications that we were using weren't running on a database.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is very straightforward. I have no complaints. We did it ourselves and it didn't take much time. I think we've done it three times and you can install it in a day or two. We've also done upgrades along the way.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented through an in-house team.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay for a yearly licensing subscription. Funds permitting, we have plans to increase usage for Oracle Database in the new year.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Oracle Database a 10 out of 10. I would definitely recommend this solution to others.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Technical Systems Support Manager at a hospitality company with 201-500 employees
A reliable solution
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is a reliable database."
- "Support is not available when one encounters problems."
What is our primary use case?
We use the product as a hotel solution, a hotel PMS program.
What needs improvement?
Support is not available when one encounters problems. The database has performance parameters.
It would be nice to be able to switch cluster features for creating multiple databases towards business continuity.
Installation of SQL Server is comparatively much easier than that of Oracle Database.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Oracle Database in excess of ten or fifteen years.
How are customer service and support?
Support is not easily obtainable when one encounters issues.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
There is no comparable difference SQL Server's usage and that of Oracle Database. They are both reliable databases. Owing to program decisions, certain products make use of Azure SQL and others Oracle.
SQL Server has a considerably easier installation than Oracle Database.
I give both Oracle Database and SQL Server a rating of nine out of ten.
How was the initial setup?
SQL Server's installation is considerably easier than that of Oracle Database.
What other advice do I have?
Both SQL Server and Oracle Database are deployed as private clouds.
I rate Oracle Database as a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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