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Oracle Application Express 3.0 Speeds and Simplifies the Move to Database-Centric Web Applications
Oracle Application Express 3.0 — now available as a free download on Oracle Technology Network (OTN)—makes it easier than ever for small and medium organizations to move from traditional spreadsheets to database-centric Web applications.
As small and medium organizations grow, desktop applications such as Microsoft Excel and Access quickly prove insufficient for managing enterprise data. Data quickly becomes fragmented and difficult to share, the existence of multiple versions of applications invariably leads to errors and inconsistency, and security becomes a serious issue as sensitive data is spread across multiple desktops.
With Oracle Application Express 3.0, anyone with a browser can create Web-based reporting and data entry applications, thanks to declarative, fill-in-the-blanks wizards. And Oracle Application Express can run in any edition of Oracle Database—from Oracle9i Database Release 2 (9.2) on—including Standard Edition.
"Our recommendation is to use Oracle Application Express to migrate from desktop databases and spreadsheets to the security, scalability, and reliability of Oracle Database," says David Peake, principal product manager for Oracle Application Express.
"Because Oracle Application Express is built into the Oracle Database," Peake adds, "it will accommodate continued growth, making it ideal for small and medium organizations."
Key Enhancements in Oracle Application Express 3.0
Building on feedback from current users, the new release of Oracle Application Express includes key features that further simplify the transition from desktop to Web-based applications while offering even more effective output options, according to Peake.
Perhaps the most valuable feature for midsize companies is the Application Migration Workshop, which provides a clear, step-by-step process for converting Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access files into a Web-based database application—from metadata exportation to easily customized reporting.
In addition, the ability to drag and drop items into a layout makes it easier to arrange individual elements, and Flash-based charts deliver up to 18 charts that significantly reduce the need to download plug-ins. Enhanced Web services enable users to quickly incorporate interfaces to other applications, from mapping programs to Oracle BPEL.
Finally, new PDF printing capabilities let users turn reports into Adobe Acrobat files with a single click.
A Little Help from Your Friends
In addition to Oracle Application Express, Oracle also offers Packaged Applications, fully functional packaged web applications such as Online Store and Document Management, available as
free downloads, these packaged applications, once installed, provide fully functional business solutions.
"And because each Packaged Application includes all the source code," Peake adds, "companies are able, and encouraged, to customize or extend the functionality to meet their specific business needs."
In fact, one of the most exciting aspects of Oracle Application Express, according to Peake, is the flexibility it provides to create a wide range of solutions tailored to an individual organization's needs. "I am constantly seeing creative, new ways of using Oracle Application Express to solve business problems," says Peake.
An active online community also enables users to share technical and business solutions, Peake adds.
"We have a very active forum on the OTN site, and that is a great place to get your questions answered, whether they're very basic or extremely complex," says Peake. "There is a very strong community that is willing to help each other to resolve issues."
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