Oracle BI in the Cloud: What Does This Mean For Your Business?

Thoughts (11) – Cadran is publishing a series of articles on Oracle Business Intelligence (BI) in combination with Oracle JD Edwards. In these blogs, we share insights and considerations that can assist with the implementation and use of both systems. This article explores Oracle BI as a cloud solution. What does the cloud really mean for businesses?

No Cloud

You may have heard the saying, “There is actually no cloud; it’s just someone else’s computer.” In a way, this is true. Large companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle offer enormous computer networks that businesses can use flexibly without having to manage or maintain them. With a cloud subscription, companies can pay per use and scale precisely to what they need. It’s similar to outsourcing to data centers, but with a crucial improvement: you only pay for what you use.

In cloud solutions, you’ll hear terms like private cloud and public cloud, which simply indicate whether access is public or secured behind a corporate network. This is a functional difference and has nothing to do with the physical location of the servers.

As a Service

Oracle offers an increasing number of cloud-based solutions, commonly referred to as ‘as a Service’. Some examples include:

  • Platform as a Service (PaaS)
  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
  • Database as a Service (DBaaS)
  • Software as a Service (SaaS)

Within these categories, Oracle provides a wide range of services, from storage and development tools to ready-to-use business software such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and HRM (Human Resource Management). Oracle BI is one of these cloud services.

Oracle BI Cloud Service vs. Oracle Analytics Cloud

Oracle BI in the cloud comes in two versions: Oracle BI Cloud Service (BICS) and Oracle Analytics Cloud (OAC). OAC is an extended version of BICS, offering more features and flexibility:

BICS

Uses a database where you must upload your data. This means that data is not always immediately available, but with the right settings, you can work almost in real time. Updates are automatically performed by Oracle.

OAC

Works with Oracle Database 12c and can view data from multiple sources in real time. It offers additional security options and the ability to set up connections to internal networks. Updates are not automatic; you choose when to install them.

Is the Cloud secure?

Cloud solutions have become standard in our daily lives, from smartphones to laptops. But what about the security of business data? Oracle, for example, has data centers in Amsterdam and offers various levels of security, such as encryption and secure connections. Companies can even choose to install Oracle cloud products internally if that feels safer.

If Oracle had a security vulnerability, it would endanger its cloud services. Therefore, they take stringent measures to keep data secure. And while we may worry about who has access to our data, it is safely stored in a triple-backup system for continuity.

In conclusion 

The future is moving toward the cloud. Oracle BI in the cloud offers powerful and fast hardware without requiring you to manage anything. This makes it easier to keep the software up to date and adapt as usage grows. For some cloud applications, flexibility may feel limited, but Oracle BI is an excellent fit for a cloud environment.

Jelle Huisman managing partner

Jelle Huisman

Managing Partner