Oracle Bulks Up Mobile Database Software

Oracle (Nasdaq: ORCL) today officially released the mobile version of its grid computing database, 10g.

A version of Database Lite 10g has been in use since 1996 as a means of accessing the main 10g database through PDAs, laptops and handheld computers. The company says its new release is a giant step ahead of the previous mobile management offering.

More Industries Go Mobile

The version now available has been tightly integrated into the core database, Oracle said.

The increase in mobile use by the defense, national security, health and public safety industries, which need secure, scalable database access, prompted the beefed up release, Oracle said.

The company is touting new data management capabilities that allow a central database administrator to download copies of the middleware onto mobile devices or delete data from devices that have been lost or stolen, if they remain within the network area.

Also new are synchronization tools that allow the mobile user to continue to manipulate data after a connection is dropped. The software will synchronize the data once the connection -- which can be through a LAN, wireless, satellite or radio network -- picks up again.

Java, .Net Compatible

Lite 10g is compatible with Windows, Linux and Unix and is available for $100 per named user license. It allows developers to create applications using Java and .Net tools. New in this version is a Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Ado.Net interface for .Net tools.

"Mobile deployments have emerged as critical business systems, requiring enterprise-class functionality, reliability and security, and connection to back-office systems," Jack Gold, vice president, META Group, said in a press release. "As mobile devices transition from purely personal devices to capable business tools, organizations must deploy applications built on a flexible business-class platform capable of supporting current user needs, while allowing future enhancements and connectivity for a variety of business requirements."

Sybase (NYSE: SY) holds a large majority of the mobile database market with its SQL Anywhere program. IBM (NYSE: IBM) offers DB2 Anywhere.