6/29/09: Database Specialists CEO, David Wolff, discusses Oracle database licensing issues in the latest edition of the Specialist newsletter. You can also read his piece on the Database Specialists blog at http://www.dbspecialists.com/blog/. Oracle software does not require licensing keys to unlock it; anyone may freely download software from the Oracle web site and begin using it. This is an unusual practice that separates Oracle from other software vendors and has probably contributed to Oracle’s success in the marketplace. It is, therefore, very easy to make the mistake of using software for which one does not have the required licenses.
Please remember that Oracle licensing rules and fees are subject to change. Please contact your Oracle sales representative for the most current information. You can sign up to receive the Specialists newsletter at www.dbspecialists.com/specialist.html.
5/19/09 Most Oracle customers are faced with the dilemma about when is the right time to upgrade to the newest release of Oracle’s database. While it might seem like something you need to do without delay, in practice that might not be the best business decision. Along with tantalizing new features, first releases tend to be filled with bugs that you could be the first to discover. Even after the first update many releases still may not be rock solid. That is why we recommend that customers carefully consider the pros and cons before upgrading. Terry Sutton explains more in his article for the Northern California Oracle Users' Group Journal.
4/9/09 Database Specialists is mentioned in April 8, 2009 edition of eWeek on Sizing Up the Costs of Remote Database Administration Services. This article discusses the various options for remote DBA support and compares several providers of these services. In addition to the option for 24/7 support mentioned in the article Database Specialists offers several different levels and types of remote Oracle DBA services. There is a follow-up article regarding what to look for in a remote DBA provider and Database Specialists philosphy on remote Oracle DBA support. This article is entitled Inside the Outsourced World of Remote Database Services
"If you are an IT professional who has been thrust into an Oracle Database administration role without the benefit of formal training, or you just want to understand how Oracle Database works, then I wrote this book for you. It's the book I wish I'd had when I first started using Oracle Database so many years ago. It's the book that I would have liked to have given to the many IT colleagues and friends who, over the years, have asked me to teach them the basics of Oracle Database.
Why choose my book when there are so many exhaustive reference manuals for Oracle Database available for free download on the Oracle website? Because my book is not an exhaustive reference manual, but instead is a manageable introduction to key Oracle Database topics including planning, installation, monitoring, troubleshooting, maintenance, and backups, to name just a few. You'll also be getting the benefit of my experience, and not just the party line. For example, for reasons explained inside, I emphasize the Statspack tool instead of Automatic Workload Repository.
2/2/09 - Database Specialists made two presentations at the NoCOUG meeting on February 12, 2009 at Oracle Redwood Shores. Iggy Fernandez presented "Best Practices for Oracle Database Administration" and Rich Headrick and Terry Sutton presented "Tools and Techniques for Remote Database Support and Road Warriors." Both of these presentations will be available on our website in the near future. Check back to the News section to see when they are posted.
1/27/09 - Database Specialists remote DBA services known as DBA Pro grew again in CY 2008. Revenues increased 30% as did the number of new customers. To learn more about our remote database administration services for Oracle, please click here.
Iggy Fernandez's Book on Oracle 11g Released
Iggy Fernandez's excellent book on Oracle 11g Database Administration: Beginning Oracle Database 11g Administration From Novice to Professionalis available for purchase on online sites such as Amazon and in book stores such as Borders. The book is meant for junior Oracle DBAs as well as system administrators and application developers. It's not really an 11g book because the lessons in the book are equally applicable to Oracle Database 10g and Oracle Database 11g. Here's what it says on the back cover:
"If you are an IT professional who has been thrust into an Oracle Database administration role without the benefit of formal training, or you just want to understand how Oracle Database works, then I wrote this book for you. It's the book I wish I'd had when I first started using Oracle Database so many years ago. It's the book that I would have liked to have given to the many IT colleagues and friends who, over the years, have asked me to teach them the basics of Oracle Database.
Why choose my book when there are so many exhaustive reference manuals for Oracle Database available for free download on the Oracle website? Because my book is not an exhaustive reference manual, but instead is a manageable introduction to key Oracle Database topics including planning, installation, monitoring, troubleshooting, maintenance, and backups, to name just a few. You'll also be getting the benefit of my experience, and not just the party line. For example, for reasons explained inside, I emphasize the Statspack tool instead of Automatic Workload Repository.
In Beginning Oracle Database 11g Administration, you'll find information that you won't find in other books on Oracle Database. Here you'll find not just technical information but guidance on the work practices that are as vital to your success as technical skills. The most important chapter in the book is The Big Picture and the Ten Deliverables. If you take the lessons in this chapter to heart, you can quickly become a better Oracle database administrator than you ever thought possible. I hope this book helps you do exactly that."
Cost-Effective Alternatives for Supporting Mission-Critical Oracle Databases
By partnering with a Remote DBA services firm, you can augment your database management team and upgrade your level of service in a cost effective manner with a firm that provides you with the services of certified Oracle professionals. Read our latest whitepaper on the options you should consider, the questions you should ask when considering whether a remote DBA support solution is Appropriate for your Firm.
Considering RAC?
We provide implementation consulting and 24x7 production support for database systems, including remote dba support for customers that use RAC. If you are considering RAC, call us to discuss your goals and the pros and cons of the alternatives. We are not Oracle resellers, so we'd be happy to offer you an unbiased opinion.
"I find the support from Database Specialists to be outstanding. I have worked with some other outsourced DBAs in the past, and they blow everyone else away." -IT Director, Semiconductor Firm
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