After much hype Oracle have launched their new flagship database, Oracle8i. Dubbed with the dubious title of the, “world’s only Internet database”, Oracle8i is positioning itself as an “Internet computing platform that allows any type of data to be managed from a centralised server and accessed from any client, across any network.” Nothing new there then.

But where things start to get more interesting for 8i is with the addition “suites” (for suites read sweets), that are bundled with it. First up are the Customised (Cola drop) Suites for Customers, Partners and Developers for a broad range of business needs. Oracle have announced three new Internet Platform (milk buttons) Suites that will simplify development and deployment of applications on Oracle8i.

And for the Enterprise Developers, there’s something an equally sweet Suite: their “market-leading solution for model-based development will be updated to include Oracle8i and new versions of Oracle Developer and Oracle Designer,” whatever that means.

There is a load more really good features about this bit of kit, and despite our cheap jibs at it, 8i looks to demand a bit of respect. Especially as Mr Ellison first previewed the 8i a couple of months back on an iMac ... props indeed.

http://www.oracle.com/database/oracle8i/