Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

1275.0. "Why They're Buying Oracle" by MSDOA::SECRIST (Behind the eight ball.) Wed Aug 11 1993 17:42

[Distributed by a Fortune 500 customer at a very large govt. reservation.]

                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     05-Aug-1993 11:17 EDT
                                        From:     Xxxx X Xxxxxx
                                                  XXXXXXXX
                                        Dept:     XXXX
                                        Tel No:   XXX-XXXX

TO: Disabled

Subject: COS Database Announced

XXXX is pleased to announce the selection of Oracle version7 (Oracle7) from
Oracle Corporation, Inc. as the relational database management system
(RDBMS) for the Corporate Open System (COS) computer.  In the very
competitive RDBMS market, the Oracle RDBMS provides the most complete, high
performance product available to meet the requirements of the client/server
computing environment.  The Oracle RDBMS has been purchased and will be
installed in August.

The RDBMS supports the three primary purposes of the COS procurement which
are to

      -     accelerate Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx' migration to an open and industry
            standard computing environment;
      -     support administrative client/server computing; and
      -     provide replacement computing capacity for the DEC-10.

A standards-based DBMS improves application and developer portability, and
reduces Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx' dependence on specific hardware and software
vendors.  Oracle7's strong support for standards is shown by its compliance
with the ANSI SQL standard X3.135-1989 Database Language-SQL, Levels 1 and
2 (NIST certified as being completely compliant with FIPS PUB-127-1).  In
addition, Oracle fully satisfies the requirements of the X/Open XA
specifications for Resource Managers conforming to the XA specifications
published in December, 1991, X/Open CAE Specification for Distributed
Transaction Processing.

Oracle7 has the required features to support administrative online
transaction processing systems including robust backup and recovery
mechanisms, database controlled referential integrity, row-level locking,
and flexible security mechanisms as defined by the draft ANSI SQL3
standard.  Oracle7 has very robust, flexible support for stored procedures
and triggers, which minimize network loads in a client/server environment
and enforce business rules at the DBMS level.

Oracle7 provides for a distributed data management environment and supports
data transparency and independence, a transparent two-phase commit
mechanism, and cost-based query optimization.  Oracle provides gateways to
other RDBMS such as DB2 and Rdb through its SQL*Connect product.  Data is
accessed in these other databases as if they were in Oracle databases.

Due to the open characteristics of Oracle7, end users will find greater
flexibility in their choices for data access.  Many third party tools
support direct access to Oracle databases including Microsoft's Excel,
Lotus 1-2-3, Apple's Hypercard, FoxPro, and SAS through SAS/Access.
Similar flexibility exists for the software developer with high-level tools
such as Uniface and PowerBuilder supporting systems development using
Oracle.   The AIX/Oracle environment is a deployment option for Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx' standard CASE tool, IEF.   Oracle provides support for 3GLs such
as C and COBOL with embedded SQL.

Oracle will be deployed in a client/server configuration.  Developer and
end user tools on XXXX (or a desktop PC/workstation) may be used to
transparently access the DBMS engine on XXXX across the network.  Oracle
system administration and consulting support will be provided centrally by
the XXXX Database Management Systems organization.  Training in the use of
Oracle and its tools will be available through Computing Education.  Help
will be available to end users and software developers by calling the
Computing HELPLINE at X-XXXX.

...and of course we *know* that Oracle didn't actually write that press
release, don't we?

	;           -< Where are *our* endorsements like this one? >-

We only receive mention in columns of architecture specifications listing
VAX and Rdb as "legacy systems" that need to be replaced at some point.
Ironically, no Oracle systems are in production, and at my plant the burden
of production is split mainly between Rdb on VMS and IDMS on MVS.  Until we
announce the date Rdb will be on RS/6000s, etal. (non-DECstuff) I expect
this will be a growing trend (i.e. non-DEC may be more important to DBS
than AXP -- that is if making money and sustainability are the rationales for
doing business).  Ironically VAXes, Rdb, and DBMS tow this customer's line 
today.  In terms of mindshare and strategic planning though, technical 
superiority is now inferior to multivendor platform presence.

	; ...and of course we *know* that Oracle didn't actually write that 
	; press release, don't we?

This was just internal mail, not a press release.  The sad thing is that
they all believe it, too.  The central fallacy most customers seem to
be experiencing is that they assume this will all work as well as, and provide
the same functionality as Rdb and VMS.  I keep hearing people talking about
ACLs, ISAM files, etc. on the "open" boxes and they are in for a Rude Awakening.

This announcement might be funny if it wasn't maybe going to cost me my job...

Regards,
rcs

ROBUST BACKUP AND RESTORE/RECOVER Mechanisms ???

Aviods software dependance ????????

Sofisticated cost based optimizer ?????????????????????????????????????????

................

I know perception is reality, but does lies apply to this as well ?

sigh
Lars