**Why Oracle Database@Google Cloud is a big deal**
Oracle Database has been a trusted and widely deployed technology in the enterprise for many years. However, enterprises no longer have to run it exclusively on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). In a recent announcement, Oracle and Google confirmed the general availability of Oracle Database@Google Cloud. This partnership allows customers to deploy Oracle Exadata Database Service, Oracle Autonomous Database, and Oracle Database Zero Data Loss Autonomous Recovery Service directly on OCI within Google Cloud data centers.
The availability of Oracle Database@Google Cloud is a significant development for several reasons. Firstly, it offers customers the opportunity to leverage Oracle’s database technology while taking advantage of Google Cloud’s infrastructure and services. This integration simplifies the cloud migration process and accelerates innovation for organizations. By combining Oracle’s database expertise with Google Cloud’s advanced AI capabilities, such as Vertex AI and Gemini foundation models, customers can develop new applications and gain faster insights from their data.
According to Karan Batta, Senior Vice President of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, “I think the world’s data actually runs on Oracle databases, you know, we are the world’s most popular enterprise database…we give access to every single customer that wants access to data in whatever cloud of their choice and so Google is just the next step of that.”
This partnership follows Oracle’s expansion of its cloud footprint for the Oracle database in recent years, including a similar arrangement with Microsoft that became generally available in June 2024. While the Microsoft deal focuses on similar workloads, the Google partnership brings AI to the forefront. Customers can now build AI applications using Oracle data on Google Cloud, leveraging Google’s AI services like Vertex and Gemini.
The significance of this collaboration extends beyond technology integration. It addresses the need for choice and flexibility that customers demand. Amit Zavery, VP and GM of Platform at Google Cloud, emphasizes that many Google customers have already chosen Oracle databases, making it crucial for Google to make accessing and using Oracle technologies as seamless as possible within the Google Cloud experience.
Google Cloud has its own set of database technologies, and the partnership with Oracle is not currently bi-directional, meaning that OCI users cannot directly access Google Cloud databases. However, the integration with Oracle databases on Google Cloud enhances the data analytics services available on the platform, notably Google BigQuery.
According to Zavery, the integration makes it easier for customers with significant investments in Oracle databases and applications to leverage Google BigQuery for their data warehousing and reporting needs. They can seamlessly access their Oracle data through BigQuery, creating a unified console, environment, and interface for analytics platforms like Looker.
One of the key challenges in enabling Oracle Database to run effectively for enterprise use cases in Google Cloud is the issue of latency. Oracle and Google are addressing this challenge by expanding the physical infrastructure of OCI into Google data centers. Unlike a simple interconnect between two different data centers, this approach brings Oracle’s infrastructure inside Google data centers, reducing latency and potential performance issues.
In conclusion, the availability of Oracle Database@Google Cloud is a significant milestone for enterprises seeking to leverage the power of Oracle’s database technology while harnessing the capabilities of Google Cloud. This partnership offers customers choice, flexibility, and the ability to build AI applications using Oracle data on Google Cloud. Furthermore, the integration with Google BigQuery enhances data analytics services, providing a unified platform for accessing and analyzing Oracle data. With the collaboration between Oracle and Google, enterprises can accelerate innovation and derive valuable insights from their data in a seamless and efficient manner.