Oracle Database Management Strategic Directions

1. Best Practices for managing Oracle database servers.
2. Oracle Fusion Middleware products like J2EE, ADF, XML, BPEL, SOA, Web Services, Discoverer...).
3. Oracle Application Servers and Apache.

The one consistent part of the Oracle world is that it is constantly changing. How are you changing in this dynamic environment to make sure you stay marketable in the future. Here is a list of trends I see going on in the Oracle world.

• VLDBs - Oracle databases are getting larger and larger. There is more complexity in managing very large databases running RAC, Data Guard, Streams. Storage and security are playing a larger role as well. People with strong skills sets in VLDBs are going to increase in demand.
• Oracle Fusion Middleware - This going to be a great area to expand in. People with skills in SOA, BPEL, BAM, ESB, Web Services, J2EE, ADF, JSF and XML are going to increase significantly in demand. The issue here is Oracle Fusion Applications are not rolling out yet. This demand is coming in the future. So there is time for you to get up to speed to take advantage of this future hot area.
• Application Server Administrators - People that can manage the middle tier are just as important as the Oracle DBAs. The Oracle Application Server, BEA, WebSphere are all complex applications that require a lot of skill to manage successfully.
• Application DBAs - People with DBA experience that can work with middleware developers and application server environments.
  
• Managing Complexity - People with strong skill sets in Grid Control or Quest and that can manage multiple tiers of an Oracle environment from the database server to the application server are going to increase in demand. DBAs that contribute more to the business versus heads down DBAs that just write scripts are needed more than ever.
  
• Hetergenous environments - DBAs that can manage multiple database platforms such as SQL Server, MySQL and DB2 are going to be in strong demand.
• Security - Security is playing a larger role every day. Experts in the area are going to be able to name their price.
• Open Source - The LAMP stack is playing a larger role. Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP are having almost exponential growth.

There is a summary podcast at http://web.mac.com/george. Trujillo. At the site, click on Oracle Podcasts.

Labels: Oracle, Oracle Future Trends and Directions