What level of Oracle expertise do I need for basic business reporting and analytics?
For standard reporting, you need intermediate-level skills including advanced SQL, basic PL/SQL, and experience with Oracle's analytics functions. However, if you're dealing with large datasets or complex business rules, you'll want someone with advanced performance tuning experience who can optimize queries and design efficient data models.
How can I tell if someone actually knows Oracle well versus just having it on their resume?
Ask them to explain specific Oracle features like partitioning, indexing strategies, or explain how they'd troubleshoot a performance issue. Real Oracle experts will ask about your data volumes, concurrent users, and business requirements before suggesting solutions. They should also be able to discuss Oracle licensing implications and cloud migration strategies.
Can Oracle handle modern web applications and real-time data, or is it just for traditional enterprise systems?
Modern Oracle absolutely handles real-time applications and integrates well with web technologies through REST APIs, JSON support, and cloud services. However, it's overkill for simple web apps - Oracle shines when you need enterprise-grade reliability, complex transactions, or advanced analytics. It's not the right choice for simple content management or basic e-commerce sites.
How well does Oracle integrate with our existing tools like Salesforce, Power BI, or AWS services?
Oracle integrates excellently with major business platforms through native connectors, APIs, and Oracle's cloud services. Salesforce, Power BI, Tableau, and AWS all have established integration patterns with Oracle. The key is having someone who understands both systems and can design secure, efficient data flows between them.
How long does a typical Oracle project take, like setting up a new database or migrating from another system?
A new Oracle database setup typically takes 2-4 weeks including planning, installation, and basic configuration. Data migrations vary widely - a simple 100GB migration might take 2-3 weeks, while complex enterprise migrations with custom applications can take 3-6 months. Performance optimization projects usually show results within 2-4 weeks but may require ongoing tuning.
What kind of ongoing support will I need after an Oracle project is completed?
Oracle databases require regular maintenance including performance monitoring, backup verification, security patches, and periodic optimization. Plan for at least 10-20 hours per month for a production system, more for complex environments. You'll also need someone available for troubleshooting issues and implementing changes as your business grows.