As Published In January/February 2010

AT ORACLE: Oracle News Briefs

Oracle Application Development Framework Mobile Client Preview Available

Oracle has released a developer preview of Oracle Application Development Framework (Oracle ADF) Mobile Client, which enables developers to extend their enterprise applications onto mobile devices. It provides built-in security and database synchronization services to manage data distribution and reconciliation with mobile applications.

Oracle ADF Mobile Client also supports disconnected access to enterprise applications from mobile devices; offers mobile application rendering in the native look and feel of each device; and integrates with on-device services such as calendar, contacts, and peripherals.

“With Oracle ADF Mobile Client, developers can write their applications once and deploy them on multiple mobile platforms, saving time and allowing developers to focus on building better applications,” says Ted Farrell, tools and middleware chief architect and senior vice president at Oracle.

Oracle VM 2.2 Accelerates Application Deployment

The latest release of Oracle’s server virtualization software, Oracle VM 2.2, enables customers to accelerate deployment of and simplify management of enterprise applications. Now available, the new release enables organizations to run their data centers in the most environmentally sustainable and efficient manner, while lowering costs.

Oracle VM 2.2 features the latest Xen-based, industry-standard hypervisor, Xen 3.4, and provides substantial performance enhancements for customers running Intel Xeon processor 5500 series and Six-Core AMD Opteron processors. Other enhancements include new CPU power management, memory management, and direct disk I/O capabilities. Additionally, this release delivers on the initial integration of Oracle VM and Virtual Iron technology.

“The release of Oracle VM 2.2 enables customers to capitalize on the latest advancements in server virtualization technology to better manage their virtual environments and reduce both cost and power consumption in the data center,” says Wim Coekaerts, vice president of Linux and virtualization engineering at Oracle.

Updated Line of Oracle Berkeley DB Embeddable Databases Released

Three new releases in the Oracle Berkeley DB family of open source, embeddable databases are available: Oracle Berkeley DB 4.8, Oracle Berkeley DB XML 2.5, and Oracle Berkeley DB Java Edition 4.0. Oracle Berkeley DB products can be integrated directly into software applications, devices, and equipment to deliver high performance, reliability, and availability with virtually no human administration.

Oracle Berkeley DB 4.8 delivers improved scalability, performance, and ease of use. New features include support for foreign keys, improved failure handling for multithreaded applications, and a new db_sql utility that generates Berkeley DB application code from a SQL schema description.

Oracle Berkeley DB XML 2.5 delivers several performance and data management improvements, including support for external functions, a smaller on-disk footprint for XML containers, and certification on Oracle Berkeley DB 4.8.

Oracle Berkeley DB Java Edition 4.0 includes new replication features for high availability and scalability, significant performance improvements, and a plug-in for JConsole, which eases application deployment and monitoring.

“These new releases contain significant new enhancements to the products in terms of performance, high availability, and ease of use and reinforce Oracle’s commitment to open source products,” says Rex Wang, vice president of product marketing at Oracle.

Oracle Secure Backup 10.3 Supports Virtual Tape Libraries 

Oracle is now shipping the latest release of its centralized tape backup management system, Oracle Secure Backup 10.3. The new release provides enhanced virtual tape library support through serverless tape duplication, which helps increase performance and reduce server overhead when backup data is copied from virtual to physical tapes. Oracle Secure Backup 10.3 also allows backup encryption to be performed on the host or by leveraging LTO-4 tape drives to offload encryption processes from the host. Other new features include tape vaulting enhancements that better automate management of tapes between multiple locations; support for IP version 6; and platform support for HP-UX Itanium, AIX, Linux, Windows, and Solaris SPARC.

Oracle Application Testing Suite Includes Test-Scripting Platform

Oracle has unveiled the latest version of its application testing solution for Oracle Applications, Web, and SOA applications: Oracle Application Testing Suite 9.0.

The suite introduces OpenScript, a Java-based, integrated test-scripting platform for automated functional testing and load testing. Users can now create test scripts that automate both Web- and Oracle Forms-based application interfaces. Leveraging OpenScript’s intuitive graphical scripting interface, users can record automated test scripts by stepping through their Oracle E-Business Suite business transactions in the browser.

To help ensure the health and performance of packaged, Web, and SOA applications, Oracle Application Testing Suite 9.0 delivers Oracle E-Business Suite accelerators that support automated functional testing and load testing of Oracle E-Business Suite applications.

“Comprehensive application testing is among the most important parts of today’s IT toolbox for delivering cost efficiencies to the business,” says Melinda-Carol Ballou, program director, application lifecycle management, at market intelligence firm IDC.

Oracle and Sun Achieve World-Record Benchmark

Oracle has announced a new world-record Transaction Processing Performance Council (TPC-C) benchmark result for Oracle Database 11g running on Sun SPARC servers with chip multithreading technology and the Sun Solaris Operating System.(1) Oracle Database 11g running on the Solaris 10 Operating System achieved a record-breaking 7.7 million tpmC at $2.34/tpmC. This result proves that the Oracle-Sun combination runs faster than IBM DB2 running on IBM’s flagship Power 595.(2)

The Oracle-Sun benchmark used a combination of Sun’s chip multithreading servers to power the database, along with Sun’s Flash Storage technology to speed I/O. With the Sun Storage F5100 Flash Array, Oracle and Sun were able to set the world record using eight times less hardware than IBM used for its largest benchmark.(3) Oracle Real Application Clusters allowed Sun and Oracle to scale performance on a 12-node Sun SPARC Enterprise T5440 cluster. 

The Oracle-Sun configuration also consumed four times less energy than the IBM configuration even though it ran 26 percent faster.

“With this benchmark result, there’s no denying that Oracle Database 11g running on Sun SPARC Enterprise T5440 servers outperforms IBM and DB2,” says Juan Loaiza, senior vice president of systems technology at Oracle.

As of October 11, 2009.
Source: TPC-C, www.tpc.org .
(1) 12-node Sun SPARC Enterprise T5440 server cluster: 7,717,510 tpmC at $2.34/tpmC. Available December 14, 2009.
(2) IBM Power 595 server, model 9119-FHA: 6,085,166 tpmC at $2.81/tpmC (best IBM DB2 TPC-C result). Available December 10, 2008.
(3) Hardware size measured in racks of equipment as priced for the benchmarks.

Oracle Application Integration Architecture 2.5 Supports Industry Solutions

Oracle has released Oracle Application Integration Architecture 2.5, which includes 10 new cross-industry process integration packs, 6 new industry-specific process integration packs, and a library of more than 1,000 enterprise services and 100 enterprise objects. Oracle Application Integration Architecture 2.5 provides an open, standards-based approach for organizations to integrate end-to-end business processes across a broad range of custom, Oracle, and third-party applications.

With an increased focus on end-to-end industry solutions and prebuilt integrations across Oracle and non-Oracle applications, Oracle Application Integration Architecture Release 2.5 helps organizations reduce business process integration complexity and accelerate delivery of enterprise application solutions. With 30 process integration packs and 4 foundation packs, this release supports critical business processes across multiple industries, including manufacturing, utilities, retail, and health sciences, and provides customers with integration solutions that can be extended and managed over time.

“Oracle Application Integration Architecture Release 2.5 reinforces our unwavering commitment to reducing the cost of integration for our customers,” says Jose Lazares, vice president of application development and product strategy for Oracle Application Integration Architecture.

Oracle Agrees to Acquire HyperRoll Assets

Oracle has agreed to acquire certain assets of HyperRoll, a leading provider of financial reporting acceleration solutions. HyperRoll’s products help improve reporting performance, shrink the close cycle, and improve visibility of financial data to line management. Customers across multiple industries including retail, consumer goods, and financial services currently use HyperRoll’s products.

“Enterprise performance management is a critical requirement for organizations,” says Robert Gersten, senior vice president of Oracle product development. “Oracle enterprise performance management already enables rapid, accurate, and secure financial consolidation and reporting. With the addition of HyperRoll’s reporting acceleration technology, customers are expected to be able to execute a faster and more compliant financial close.”

Oracle Acquires Data integration Provider GolDenGate

Oracle has acquired GoldenGate Software, a leading provider of real-time data integration solutions. GoldenGate’s best-in-class solutions enable real-time data integration and continuous data availability by capturing and delivering updates of critical information as the changes occur and providing continuous data synchronization across heterogeneous environments.

“The need to improve operating performance in a global 24/7 environment has led to the need for data integration to support real-time and high-availability capabilities,” says Hasan Rizvi, senior vice president of Oracle Fusion Middleware product development. “With the addition of GoldenGate, Oracle will help customers achieve better performance through improved business intelligence and business continuity with real-time information.”

Oracle Database Vault Certified with SAP Applications

In order to provide customers with increased security for mission-critical SAP application data, Oracle has certified Oracle Database Vault for use with SAP applications. Oracle Database Vault enables organizations to efficiently increase security and address regulatory compliance by controlling who, when, where, and how existing SAP application data can be accessed by any users, including privileged database users such as DBAs.

Using Oracle Database Vault, organizations can further ensure that database users cannot bypass SAP application security features and access SAP application data directly using ad hoc database query tools. Oracle Database Vault establishes protective realms around SAP application database objects to prevent privileged database user access to sensitive data.

“Oracle Database Vault proactively and transparently safeguards application data, preventing unauthorized access and providing customers with the necessary database security technology to help achieve regulatory compliance. This certification extends that protection to SAP environments, allowing companies to protect their critical business information,” says Vipin Samar, vice president of database security at Oracle.

Oracle’s PeopleSoft Enterprise 9.1 Unveiled

Oracle has released Oracle’s PeopleSoft Enterprise 9.1, which includes release 9.1 of PeopleSoft human capital management solutions, PeopleSoft PeopleTools 8.50, PeopleSoft Enterprise Portal 9.1, and PeopleSoft Enterprise Learning Management 9.1.

Release 9.1 of PeopleSoft human capital management solutions includes a core platform that addresses end-to-end human resources responsibilities for global organizations. In addition to best-in-class integrated talent management, workforce management, and workforce service delivery, the latest version includes embedded Web 2.0 capabilities and new industry-specific enhancements.

PeopleSoft PeopleTools 8.50 offers a flexible development environment for customers to manage, customize, integrate, and support their PeopleSoft applications. This latest update features an enriched end-user experience through the use of new Web 2.0 capabilities, enhanced integration, and expanded reporting options.

PeopleSoft Enterprise Portal 9.1 helps organizations promote engagement and collaboration through the deployment of online communities and Web-based self-service sites for their enterprises.

PeopleSoft Enterprise Learning Management 9.1 enables organizations to proactively manage their learning environments, ensuring that employees acquire knowledge and skills consistent with corporate objectives and regulatory compliance.

“Oracle’s PeopleSoft Enterprise 9.1 includes many new features that customers have told us they need today,” says Paco Aubrejuan, vice president and general manager for Oracle’s PeopleSoft Enterprise product line. “This approach ensures our products continue to drive real business value today.”

Oracle Media Intellectual Property Management Released

Oracle is shipping Oracle Media Intellectual Property Management, a comprehensive software solution acquired from Sophoi that manages intellectual property and the content value chain for media and entertainment companies. It automates intellectual property rights and royalty management and sales and distribution across content owners, aggregators, and service providers to reduce revenue leakage and develop new revenue models.

“With the proliferation of media and entertainment distribution channels, the management and licensing of intellectual property rights and royalties has become increasingly complex,” says Liam Maxwell, vice president of products, Oracle Communications. “The addition of Sophoi technology to Oracle’s product line for the communications, media, and entertainment industries is expected to accelerate the adoption of standards-based software to monetize digital content and enable better financial control of content assets.”