Slashgeo

Oracle is preparing new features for its Oracle 11 release this coming fall (MapViewer: AJAX Interface, OGC OpenLS, and 3D Coordinates – vertical datums & accurate height measurements among other things). Check this All Points Blog article or go directly to Oracle's website here

The OSGeo-Discuss mailing list links to a short survey of geospatial databases such as MySQL, Oracle, IBM DB2 UDB and PostGIS. From the accompanying article: "For example, subjects like ‘spatial indexing’, ‘optimising approaches’, ‘spatial joining algorithms’ and ‘topology management’ may relate to very sophisticated approaches not easily condensed and described in a survey matrix box. In my first Product Survey on RDBMS in 2002 I observed that spatial-data management was traditionally supported within GIS environments. Integration with other datasets has to be organised within such environments with the aid of complementary architectures. As more and more support for spatial-data management becomes available in RDBMS, direct integration with other datasets may be organised in an increasingly flexible way. This allows for fast data access, easy product development, avoidance of duplication of spatial data etc." See numerous related articles below.

Directions Mag offered an article on Google Maps integration in Oracle eBusiness suite, why it matters? From the article's conclusion: "There appears to be not only increased client demand, but also internal demand from Oracle product groups that want to use maps. With the addition of Google Maps, the result is a near perfect storm that could generate huge market awareness for spatially enabled applications at the enterprise level. With Google Maps as a basic mapping interface or with a more robust solution employing Oracle Spatial, the market for location intelligent solutions is about to get a huge boost." Meanwhile, GeoServer gets a nod from Oracle as the tool to bridge Google Earth and Oracle databases. Additionally, DM runs an interview regarding IBM's Informix Dynamic Server (IDS). From the introduction: "The new Web Feature Service DataBlade module implements an Open Geospatial Consortium(R) Web Feature Service (OGC WFS) in IDS to act as a presentation layer for the Spatial and Geodetic DataBlade modules. [...] The XML-based Geography Markup Language (GML) is used as the encoding for transporting the geographic features." See also related stories below.

hallkbrdz writes "Simon Greener's latest weblog post discuses the ways that users without the Oracle Enterprise Edition and Spatial option can still perform most common spatial functions using alternate methods or FOSS database packages: "This reflection has come about because of the many times I have gone to sites running Oracle Standard Edition (SE or SE1) that are, accidentally, using some of the “geoprocessing” functions in the SDO_GEOM package that are licensed only for use with Enterprise Edition (EE). Oracle XE adds to this confusion as it is shipped with the complete SDO_GEOM package. And, finally, the recent release of Oracle 11g continues the restricted use of certain SDO_GEOM package “geoprocessing” functions and their use in the related ST_* functions of the SQL3/MM (or OGC) type library."" APB also informs us of Oracle being targeted by SAP with their acquisition of Business Objects.

This press release informs us Oracle 11g will soon give direct access to DigitalGlobe's imagery: "Via Oracle Spatial, DigitalGlobe will provide real-time access to its extensive image library for applications such as logistics, supply chain, mobile field services, business intelligence and asset management. With the release of Oracle Database 11g, DigitalGlobe allows advanced access to sample imagery data via OTN enabling Oracle customers to test-drive imagery in their business applications before making a purchase decision." See also related stories below.

All Points Blog discuss Oracle and spatial data along with the recent deal between NAVTEQ and Oracle. From the press release: "Oracle today announced a multiyear, worldwide agreement with NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, to incorporate its boundary mapping data into Oracle Database 10g and other Oracle products. Including the NAVTEQ data will enable customers to more easily location-enable their critical business applications to reduce costs and increase productivity and revenue opportunities." Slashdot also discusses the recent Oracle inclination towards open source.