As an Oracle technology user, I find that Oracle Database has many valuable features beyond its core information management competencies that make it a tremendous option in IT solution toolkits. When used to their fullest extent, these features can eliminate the need for third-party products, thus saving money and reducing system complexity. From data integration, data mining, and online analytical processing (OLAP) to database security and Oracle Application Express, Oracle Database includes many features that are often overlooked. Using just one of these features can reap huge benefits.
For example, as director of the Enterprise Data Group for Thoughtcorp, I recently became involved in a telecommunications project that demonstrates how to increase the value that can be derived from Oracle Database. We’re implementing an integrated data solution that provides information to the financial and marketing departments. Oracle Database is standard technology for the company, but loading and integration tools are not.
In the past, I would have recommended that the telecom look at third-party extract, transform, and load (ETL) tools. Today, I’m not so quick to do that. In this case, Oracle Warehouse Builder was the right choice to maximize the company’s existing database investments while minimizing the cost of new software licenses.
