Review: DOAG Conference and Exhibition 2024
Long planned and all too quickly over! From November 19 to 22, 2024, the DOAG Conference and Exhibition (K&A) took place in Nuremberg – an absolute highlight for Oracle enthusiasts. However, times are changing, and with around 1,500 participants, including the parallel AI Navigator event, attendance was lower than in previous years. Still, the event remains a central gathering point for the Oracle community.
Keynote and Highlights
A special highlight was the keynote by Ömer Atiker, who presented the topic of AI in his talk “Artificial Intelligence – Wish, Delusion, and Reality” in an entertaining and informative manner. With a successful mix of humor and facts, he captivated the audience.
Technology: Few New Developments, But a Big Surprise
In terms of technology, there weren’t many groundbreaking news this year, as neither Oracle 23a nor Oracle Enterprise Manager 24 were available. However, Oracle made a real surprise on Wednesday morning:
The support for Oracle 19c will be extended – until 2029 in regular support and even until 2032 in extended support. This announcement gives companies still using Oracle 19c much more planning security and eases the pressure to upgrade quickly – unless they want to use new features.
PostgreSQL: Competition on the Fast Track
Another highlight was the growing interest in PostgreSQL. The “Oracle vs. PostgreSQL” battle between Markus Flechtner and Marco Pachaly-Mischke attracted many visitors. Unfortunately, the room was too small, so some interested attendees had to stay outside.
Knowledge Meets Fun: “Who Knows This?”
Entertainment was also provided. In the fourth edition of the quiz “Who Knows This?”, Oracle ACEs Johannes Ahrends and Oliver Pyka faced off in an exciting duel against Oracle employees Gerald Venzl and Sinus Petrus Toma. The event, charmingly hosted by Markus Flechtner and Axel vom Stein, brought laughter to the audience with amusing questions like “What is UFI?”. And? Who knows such things?
Community and Networking
The strength of the DOAG K&A clearly lies in networking. With high-profile Oracle representatives like Markus Michalewicz, Mike Dietrich, Juan Loaiza, and many others, the conference provided a platform for in-depth discussions on current challenges and technologies. The approximately 50 Oracle ACEs who shared their knowledge in talks were especially impressive.
Personal Highlights
My personal highlight, aside from the pinball machines that immediately reminded me of my youth, were the conversations with Oracle colleagues, especially Beda Hammerschmidt, Mike Dietrich, and Markus Kiesling. Thanks to the three of you.
Conclusion
The DOAG Conference and Exhibition 2024 has once again proven that, despite a lower number of participants, it remains an essential event for the Oracle community. With exciting presentations, surprising announcements, and lively discussions, it offered a perfect mix of knowledge, networking, and entertainment.
We’re already looking forward to next year – perhaps with even more participants and new technological milestones – and of course with us: ora2know!