Security in a Web 2.0 world

Hi, my name is David Peake, product manager for Oracle Application Express. Today I'd like to talk to you about rapid web application development for SMBs. Most small and medium sized businesses use spreadsheets and personal databases, and these are great, but there are many problems.

Let's say, for example, that you have a forecasting spreadsheet that you send out, or you have some customer information that you send out. The problem is that many of these people want to send you back updates and you are left with the problem of having to try and put it all back together again into a single file.

A better solution is to use a centrally managed database application on the web. Instead of sending data, you actually send a URL. And those people with rights can actually go and look at the information online. Those same people can actually edit the information directly into the database so, therefore, you only have a single source of truth. The database records are always up to date with the latest information.

So, why don't most companies actually use web applications? Small businesses often believe that it's too costly, difficult, takes forever, and you need a team of experts to complete the job. Oracle Application Express blows those reasons out of the water. Oracle Application Express is a secure, scalable, and reliable development tool accessed using only a web browser.

So let's have a look at what's in the tool. There's the application builder and that's where you actually defined all the components that you are going to see on your web pages. SQL workshop, that's where you can actually have a look at your database objects such as tables, etc. And then you have utilities for various other features.

The Application Builder uses point and click wizards to create pages for things such as reports, forms, and charts.

The SQL Workshop has an object browser which is where you can actually query and create your tables, has SQL scripts which is where you can store your actual scripts that you use for manipulating the data, and there's also a query builder. And the query builder is excellent for those who don't know SQL very well because you've got a graphical drag-and-drop capability where you can actually build up complex queries without having to know how to write SQL.

The Utilities has data load and unload, you can actually generate DDL, and there's also monitoring capabilities.

Oracle Application Express takes full advantage of, and is a free feature within the powerful Oracle database. It even comes in the entry level Oracle Database Standard Edition One. So, if you are an SMB looking to replace your spreadsheets or consolidate your personal databases to the web, Oracle Application Express is the perfect tool for you. It's easy to use. It's already installed in the database. We even provide you with packaged applications which you can download free from our websites.

To test drive for yourself, simply got to apex.oracle.com or visit otn.oracle.com/apex to download the latest release. Thank you very much.