Oracle launches new database

Oracle has come out with new database enhancements, training and "affordable" deployment options to address the needs of small and medium size businesses (SMBs) and departments within large enterprises. The Oracle Database 10g will offer faster and simpler installation and new automated management features, according to the company.

Using a single CD, customers can install Oracle's new database in 17 minutes. In addition, technical staff can quickly get up to speed with Oracle Data-base 10g 2-Day Quickstart, a course that covers basic database administration, performance and tuning, and key security concepts.

"Probably many users used to regard Oracle Databases as primarily benefiting enterprises with large staff and big budgets, but beta program participants installed Oracle Database 10g on Linux very quickly and easily, from a single CD, with no problems," said Ayman Abouseif, Oracle's senior marketing director for the Middle East and Africa.

Oracle will also offer various pricing options to SMBs and departments. Customers will be able to purchase Oracle Standard Edition One, a single processor version of the Oracle Database, for $5,995 per processor or $195 per user with a minimum of five users, which brings entry price to under $1,000.

According to the company, the Oracle Database 10g's new self-management, and automatic storage management capabilities will help make the new software the de facto data-base for SMBs and departments looking to deploy low-risk, secure and reliable business applications.

The new self-management capabilities will enable users to eliminate complex, repetitive tasks and automatically identify performance or operational problems and recommends corrective action.

Additionally, the IT platform is configured for automatic back-up and recovery, which will help small and medium businesses avoid losing data. Even common human errors, such as accidental deletions or erroneous transactions, can be easily fixed.

"No matter what industry or what size your company, the availability and quality of your data is absolutely critical to the success of your business," added Abouseif.