In my last post I slammed Oracle for trying to be all databases to all people. And, as you start to think about it and put things in context, you must remember that Oracle became a leader because of its ability to run on any platform.

Oracle has publicized recently that it wants to be just like Cisco and Apple. But, how do you do this and still remain platform- agnostic? It’s impossible. The magic of these companies and others, like Netezza, who realize the value of appliances is that they have integrated the software, hardware and storage. This ensures that each component interoperates with maximized efficiency and optimal performance. I think we can all agree that being hardware agnostic is diametrically opposed to producing integrated appliances like: Apple, Cisco, Netezza and others.

Now let us take into account that Oracle has an optimized architecture for OLTP, but BI and analytics, as previously discussed, require a parallel architecture to provide the best possible performance. Now, eliminate the complexity of managing a massively parallel environment, which Netezza has achieved, and you have the lowest possible TCO. Netezza responded to increasing data volumes and growing demand for analytics because the “Oracle’s” of the world could not provide these capabilities cost effectively.

To the folks in Redwood Shores - maybe you should focus on what you do best and stop trying to be all databases to all people. You could certainly succeed with end-to-end offerings that provide turn-key operational environments. When it comes to analytics, though, pay attention to the comment from IBasis in a recent video interview - “Oracle is OK for people who do not know any better.”.

It is a sign of strength, not of weakness, to admit that you don’t know all the answers.
- John P. Loughrane

Living in the “Cloud”,
- First Liberated