Welcome to 5 Minute Briefing: Oracle an information resource prepared by Database Trends and Applications Magazine and published in cooperation with the Independent Oracle Users Group (IOUG). To subscribe, click here.

HP Unveils New Database Archiving and Quality Management Software

HP has announced new database archiving software for Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12 and Oracle’s PeopleSoft Enterprise 9.0, and new quality management software for Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12. According to HP, its new database archiving and quality management offerings meet Oracle’s integration standards and help customers ensure that their applications will function properly and continue to meet the performance requirements of the business.

HP Database Archiving software (formerly HP Reference Information Manager for Databases) is an open, vendor-independent active archiving solution for Oracle-based applications intended to improve enterprise application performance and availability. It retains information for regulatory compliance, recycles tier 1 storage to reduce costs, and manages test data to streamline application test and change. According to the vendor, the validation underscores HP’s commitment to delivering Information Management solutions that mitigate business risk associated with e-Discovery, corporate governance and regulatory compliance requirements. The validation, according to the vendor, gives HP Database Archiving software customers assurance that their Oracle support and maintenance agreements remain intact and the integrity of their systems is upheld.

“We have got very broad coverage in different functional areas,” stated Kevin O'Malley, product marketing manager, HP, about the archiving software. “We cover over 22 modules in the Oracle E-Business Suite and 18 in the PeopleSoft area.” This includes areas like Financials, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, HR, Payroll, CRM, he told 5 Minute Briefing. “We have built out these functional areas over the last three to four years based on customer demand,” noted O’Malley. “Generally, these are areas where customers are seeing high data growth.”

Additionally, as part of its HP Quality Management portfolio, HP, in collaboration with Oracle, has introduced a new “Test Starter Kit” that provides out-of-the-box functionality to accelerate testing for Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12. Available through Oracle’s MetaLink site for Oracle E-Business Suite customers, the Test Starter Kit contains a set of test plans, manuals and automated test scripts for the core business processes in the Oracle E-Business Suite, as well as Best Practices documentation that describes how to use HP tools to validate functionality and performance of Oracle applications. This test package makes it possible for customers to develop a strategy for future migration and upgrade to Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12. For more information on the Oracle and HP relationship, go here.

Back to top

Noetix Announces Key Partnerships

Noetix, a provider of software solutions that automatically generate BI content from enterprise applications, has announced partnerships with several large BI vendors, including Business Objects and JasperSoft. “These partnerships are part of our overall business strategy to solidify our place in the market,” said Jeff Kirk, head of strategic alliances for Noetix.

In collaboration with Business Objects, will introduce two new solution offerings designed to facilitate the reporting requirements of both enterprise and mid-market Oracle E-Business Suite customers. The Noetix Generator for Business Objects provides the enterprise customer with a comprehensive solution built on Noetix’s technology, enabling improved data access and reducing the time required to implement reporting solutions across the organization. The Noetix for Oracle E-Business Suite QuickStart provides mid-market companies with a solution that allows them to immediately begin accessing operational data stored within their Oracle E-Business Suite applications.

The Noetix Generator for Business Objects enterprise solution combines Noetix’s flagship product, NoetixViews, with Noetix Generator for Business Objects. This solution reduces the manual effort in implementing BI applications for Oracle E-Business Suite customers by fully automating the integration of NoetixViews within the Business Objects metadata layer, saving the time and cost of manually creating Business Objects universes. In addition, Noetix shields universes and custom reports from changes in the underlying database commonly introduced by application upgrades. The result is a dramatic cost savings over time compared to custom-developed solutions.

QuickStart Packs for Business Objects Edge Series are Business Objects-certified solutions that help small and mid-size companies quickly apply BI to an existing line of business applications or specific industry needs. Noetix for Oracle E-Business Suite QuickStart is a joint offering with Business Objects and includes NoetixViews for Oracle E-Business Suite, Noetix Generator for Business Objects, and Business Objects Edge Series bundled with a fixed four-week implementation package.

In conjunction with JasperSoft, a leading provider of open source business intelligence solutions, Noetix has announced Jasper4Oracle E-Business Suite, Powered by Noetix. The offering features the JasperSoft Business Intelligence Suite (JBIS) and NoetixViews, an extensive set of reporting objects delivering business views of the underlying Oracle applications database, which together provide Oracle E-Business Suite customers with intuitive and affordable, Web-based, ad hoc BI. The solution enables business users to “drag & drop” familiar business terms for simplified self-service reporting and business intelligence.

“These relationships focus on each company’s individual needs for software integration and with each larger vendor the software becomes more mature. These partnerships validate our business and demonstrate the value of Noetix products to our customers,” said Daryl Orts, vice president of engineering technologies for Noetix. For more information on Noetix, go here. For information on Business Objects, go here. And for information on JasperSoft, go here.

Back to top

Sentrigo Releases Hedgehog Version 1.2; New Technique to Stop SQL Injection Attacks

Sentrigo, announced the availability of the first update to its Hedgehog security software for Oracle databases. The new version expands operating system support for Hedgehog, automatically quarantines users based on attempts to misuse the database, provides improved support for enterprise use across many databases and offers enhanced monitoring and alert functions. “We feel that these additions as well as other unique features will help Sentrigo stand out in the industry,” said Rani Osnat, vice president of marketing for Sentrigo.

Hedgehog is the first software-only solution that protects databases from privileged insiders as well as from external intrusions. The software can also monitor the actions performed by stored procedures, views and triggers, providing the ability to detect and obstruct sophisticated attack vectors and modus operandi accessible to privileged users. This capability provides reliable auditing required for regulatory compliance.

“Hedgehog provides much better visibility for the user as to what is going on in the database than other programs of this kind, as well as the flexibility to create several security systems. We feel this new version will expand user potential significantly and provide better database solutions,” said Osnat.

Hedgehog now supports Oracle release 8.1.7 or newer on the following operating systems: Microsoft Windows, HP-UX and IBM AIX 5.2 and 5.3, in addition to Sun Solaris and most Linux distributions. And it can be used to automatically quarantine users if it detects attempts to infiltrate the database.

In a separate announcement, Sentrigo announced that it has added patent-pending functionality to its Hedgehog software to address SQL injection in database built-in packages, often used for privilege escalation. Hedgehog, which directly monitors the database’s memory, is the first product to examine the context from which the SQL statements originate, the types of commands used and the database access privileges of the use, according to the company. In this manner, Hedgehog is able to identify SQL injections that are missed by tools that only track signatures of known injections.

“Putting a stop to SQL injections is a substantial challenge for database administrators and IT security professionals alike, who can use existing security products to combat attacks using known SQL patterns, but are essentially without a defense against attacks that use new vectors and exploit vulnerabilities,” said Slavik Markovich, chief technology officer at Sentrigo.“We’ve enhanced Hedgehog to provide it with unique capabilities that allow it to recognize the intended effect of the SQL injection such as privilege escalation without depending on analysis of the way SQL statements are written.” For additional information and to download Hedgehog, visit here.

Back to top

Vormetric Offers Data Security for Oracle Database Vault

Vormetric announced the delivery of a fully tested solution to apply Vormetric Data Security Expert, to secure the operating system execution environment for Oracle Database Vault by preventing unauthorized access of operating system users and administrators. “This offering from Vormetric is a one-of-a-kind solution for Oracle. We focus on tailoring our security solution to each customer’s needs,” Gretchen Hellman, senior director of marketing, told 5 Minute Briefing.

Vormetric provides strong security through a comprehensive solution that includes file access control, file integrity and operating system level security policies. The Vormetric Data Security Expert solution underwent extensive interoperability testing in Oracle environments. The testing included security policy definition, security effectiveness, high availability, patch management and performance validation.

“Vormetric is focused on creating layers of security for operating systems environments. We are pleased with the breadth of our solution and working with best-of-breed vendors,” said Hellman. For more information, go here.

Back to top

Database Management Professionals in Hot Demand

Overall hiring in IT should remain solid in the first quarter of the year and database management professionals are among the most in demand, according to the Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report, released yesterday. The report is developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals and based on a survey conducted by an independent research group.

According to the report, 13 percent of CIOs plan to add information technology (IT) staff and three percent anticipate personnel reductions in the first quarter of 2008 The net 10 percent hiring increase compares with a net 12 percent increase projected last quarter. The majority of respondents, 82 percent, foresee no change in their staffing activity in the next three months.

The Hiring Index and Skills Report is based on interviews with more than 1,400 CIOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees. Database management professionals are third most in demand, according to the report, trailing only Windows administrators and network administrators. Twenty-seven percent of CIOs polled said business growth is the leading reason for expanding their IT departments. Increased need for customer and/or end-user support (20 percent), and the management of systems upgrades (19 percent) were also cited as leading factors. For more details from the report, go here. Unisphere Research, our research arm, conducts proprietary research with leading IT user groups. To read abstracts of these studies, go here. Are you interested in having proprietary research conducted for your company about issues of concern to you? For more information, send an email to Tom@dbta.com.

Back to top

Thoughts about Operational BI

Operational business intelligence, defined as the use of analytics to guide and control ongoing operational business processes, is steadily gaining interest. But this is an area that companies had better explore closely before they take the leap. As Kim Stanick, vice president of marketing at ParAccel, which has introduced new data warehouse platform, points out in our cover interview in the December issue of Database Trends and Applications, making faster decisions will only lead to going out of business faster if the underlying data is not right and the analysis judgments are not right. Faster is not always better. To follow trends in the industry and read the entire interview with Stanick, subscribe to Database Trends and Applications magazine here. Are you interested in having proprietary research conducted for your company about issues of concern to you? For more information, send an email to Tom@dbta.com.

Back to top

Oracle Users: Register Today for COLLABORATE 08 and Save

The IOUG invites you to attend COLLABORATE 08 – IOUG Forum , taking place April 13-17, 2008 in Denver, CO. By registering with the IOUG today, you will save $400! Don’t miss your chance to attend this premier annual conference, which will give Oracle customers like you the opportunity to:

• Attend user-driven educational sessions in six tracks, including:
  
  • Architecture
    
  • Business Intelligence/Warehousing
    
  • Database
    
  • Development
    
  • Middleware
    
  • Professional Development.
    
• Access more than 250 Solution Providers in one open forum.
  
• Network with more than 7,500 of your Oracle technology and database peers.

Download the IOUG Forum training proposal today to let your supervisor know why you can’t afford to miss this event. Then, register with the IOUG!

Back to top

Hyperion Users: Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Attend COLLABORATE 08

COLLABORATE 08, April 13-17, 2008 in Denver, CO, is the forum for Hyperion users this year! Here are the top reasons why you can’t afford to miss this event:

1. Learn from nearly 150 Hyperion focused education sessions and access hundreds of other education sessions covering Oracle technology and applications.

2. Gain insight into Oracle’s strategy and direction for Hyperion products.

3. Access more than 250 IT solution providers in the Exhibitor Showcase.

4. Share best practices with the greater Oracle community – more than 7,500 customers in attendance!

Members of the IOUG may register for COLLABORATE 08 here. For those who are not members of the IOUG, a special Hyperion registration will be opening soon!

Back to top

Get Bundled Oracle Education at Dramatically Reduced Rates

RMOUG Training Days Registrants Receive COLLABORATE 08 – IOUG Forum Discounts

Looking to maximize your training dollars for 2008 with discounted pricing on Oracle educational events?

The IOUG is partnering with the Rocky Mountain Oracle Users Group (RMOUG) to provide you year-round educational options with dramatic cost-savings to your organization.

Those planning to attend RMOUG Training Days, taking place February 13-14, 2008 in Denver, CO are entitled to receive discounted registration to COLLABORATE 08 – IOUG Forum, also taking place in Denver, CO, April 13-17, 2008. Take advantage of these opportunities to save on either an IOUG University Seminar registration or a complete conference registration:

• Attend IOUG Sunday University Seminars for only $400*, almost a $60 discount.
• Attend the entire COLLABORATE 08 conference for only $1,095*, with up to $1,000 in savings

Start focused training in the winter at RMOUG Training Days, and extend your education and networking in the spring by attending COLLABORATE 08 – IOUG Forum. To take advantage of these reduced COLLABORATE 08 – IOUG Forum registration rates, you must first be registered for RMOUG Training Days. Upon registration completion, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with a promotional code to secure your COLLABORATE 08 – IOUG Forum registration discount. Simply enter the code when registering for COLLABORATE 08 – IOUG Forum and save!

*Registration rates apply to all registration periods with the exception of onsite.

Back to top

Thank You to IOUG’s SELECT Journal Editorial Board

The IOUG’s quarterly publication, SELECT Journal, provides in-depth technical articles written by recognized authorities in Oracle technology. This journal is a peer review journal, meaning a panel of Oracle professionals volunteers their time to review submitted articles. The IOUG would like to thank this year’s panel of volunteers for their hard work and dedication this year:

• Jeff Bernknopf
• Don Burleson
• Karen Cannell
• Paul Dorsey
• John Kanagaraj
• Arup Nanda
• Andy Rivenes
• April Sims
• George Trujillo
• Murali Vallath

IOUG members recently received the fourth quarter issue of SELECT Journal in the mail. To join the IOUG so that you too can receive this exclusive member benefit, please visit www.ioug.org.

Back to top

Check Out the Top 5 Articles from IOUG’s LoOK

The IOUG’s Library of Oracle Knowledge (LoOK) is an exclusive repository of technical resources for IOUG members. LoOK provides IOUG members access to conference papers, presentations, tips, best practices, and SELECT Journal articles created for Oracle users by Oracle users in various categories, including database administration, database design, development, performance, security and many more. Check out the top five articles downloaded by IOUG members:

1. Managing Partitioned Tables While You Sleep by David Burns

In today’s large database environments, table and index partitioning is a must. This article will teach you which of your partitioned tables need to have partitions added next.

2. Improving Performance and Availability with Oracle-Specific Storage Management by Paul Massiglia

This article discusses E-business data storage management needs and the key role that VERITAS technologies play in implementing total data storage management solutions.

3. Oracle Wait Interface: To Wait or Not To Wait by Anjo Kolk

This thorough PowerPoint® presentation includes codes, graphics and notes about the importance of Oracle Wait Interface and the reason why Oracle professionals should switch to this product.

4. Database Slow? Bet It's fragmented! How Do You Fix? by Steve Lemme

This beginner-level PowerPoint® presentation discusses fragmentation and the importance of managing it.

5.Introduction to UNIX Administration for Oracle DBAs by Nanak Sawlani

If you’re a beginning DBA, this PowerPoint® presentation will teach you about the UNIX operating system.

If you’re a member of the IOUG, you may view these articles here. Or, click here to join the IOUG and take advantage of this exclusive member benefit!

Back to top

Founded in 1993, the Independent Oracle Users Group (IOUG) (formerly International Oracle Users Group) is a user-driven membership organization for Oracle technology and database professionals serving more than 15,000 database administrators, developers, architects, technical managers and other Oracle professionals throughout North America and worldwide. The IOUG empowers its members and the broader Oracle community through their technical publication, SELECT Journal, Web site resources including more than 3000 papers, tips and articles and networking with other users through online discussion forums, Special Interest Groups and a network of regional Oracle user groups. For more information about the IOUG, please visit the IOUG Web site.

Database Trends and Applications, published by Unisphere Media, provides timely coverage of the technology and intelligence needed to conceptualize, plan, initiate, implement and manage large-scale integrated information projects. Unisphere Media also publishes 5 Minute Briefing: Data Integration, a summary of news, trends, and insights addressing crucial data integration challenges and 5 Minute Briefing: MultiValue, a review of news, technical tips and insights for the MultiValue database community. Visit our Web site here.

Keep Getting This Newsletter

Don't let future editions of 5 Minute Briefing: Oracle get lost. Take a moment to add the newsletter's address to your anti-spam white list: Oracle@dbta.com. If you're not sure how to do that, ask your administrator or ISP. Or check your anti-spam utility's documentation. Thanks.

Back to top