Oracle, Dell deliver increased value for Microsoft Windows users

As part of their ongoing strategic partnership, Oracle and Dell today announced availability of Oracle Database 10g Standard Edition One pre-packaged with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 on Dell PowerEdge servers. Now customers, regardless of size, experience level or standardised OS preference, can easily and cost-effectively build and deploy business-critical applications on the Dell/Oracle/Microsoft platform in record time.

"By making Oracle`s Database 10g available on Windows, customers are given the same freedom of choice as our enterprise customers," says Deon Els, country director, channel and alliances at Oracle South Africa. "Companies that are familiar and comfortable with the Windows platform can retain their investment, but move their business computing environment to a world-class platform.

"In SA we will work closely with the local Dell organisation to the market through our partner network."

This offering, part of Dell and Oracle`s exclusive go-to-market agreement for Standard Edition One, provides a number of key benefits for small businesses and enterprise departments running Microsoft Windows, including:

* Easy to deploy - Oracle Database 10g Standard Edition One pre-installed on Dell systems removes the time and guess work of configuring customers` information technology (IT) environment so that companies with even the most limited IT resources can be up and running in minutes.

* Easy to manage - A customised dashboard enables customers to perform common Oracle administration tasks that are pre-defined and menu driven off of the Windows Server start bar. Oracle Database 10g Standard Edition One`s advanced features, including self-management, make systems tuning and diagnostics a breeze. * Easy to purchase - One-stop purchasing and shrink-wrapped licensing that is preloaded on Dell servers at no additional cost to the customer, provide the complete hardware and software platform with the contract to license Oracle Database 10g Standard Edition One solutions by simply purchasing and breaking the seal.

This offering provides the industry-leading performance, reliability and security of Oracle Database 10g on Dell PowerEdge 2800 servers and award-winning PowerEdge 2850 servers in a cost-effective package, making it ideal for those who want to start small but plan for future growth. Oracle Database 10g Standard Edition One preinstalled on Dell servers addresses the performance and expandability needs of growing businesses.

Dell`s experience in the server market enables the company to deliver a complete solution that is affordable, as well as easy to deploy and manage. Extensive Dell and Oracle testing of the Oracle/Windows configurations on Dell servers provides customers with the assurance of knowing that their purchase is fully supported and validated by industry leaders. Dell is the single point of contact for customer support on these platforms.

The combined factory installed Oracle Database 10g Standard Edition One and Microsoft Windows on Dell PowerEdge 2850 is available from Dell immediately. Prices vary by configuration and include the PowerVault 220S external storage system. The platform will be also available on the PowerEdge 2800 in Q4 of 2004. This solution further demonstrates Oracle and Dell`s commitment to delivering a range of enterprise-class solutions for all customers and builds upon the previously announced pre-packaged Dell/Oracle offering with Red Hat Linux. For more information about the Dell/Oracle relationship, please visit www.dell.com/oracle.