What CIOs should know when assessing Oracle 23ai

You’ve probably seen promotions and heard talk about Oracle 23ai. Its promise of AI-driven features and enhanced capabilities sound easy to access, but is it so linear? And is it the right move for your organization?

We’ve outlined three need-to-knows for CIOs who are assessing whether Oracle Database 23ai is worth the hype.

The path may be a multi-step upgrade marathon

Upgrading is a process that demands time, effort, testing, and yes, downtime. And if you’re moving from versions older than Oracle Database 19c, get ready for a multi-step upgrade marathon at a substantial cost. Direct upgrade paths are only available from Oracle 19c and 21c, meaning older versions will require additional upgrades (or the use of Oracle Data Pump).

Additionally, Oracle Database 23ai no longer supports the classic non-CDB architecture. If your database is still non-CDB, brace yourself for the conversion to a pluggable database (PDB). It’s not just a switch; it’s a significant technical paradigm shift that requires meticulous planning and execution.

New releases mean higher potential of downtime

Oracle Database 23ai brings some new AI features that promise to transform how you manage and utilize data. A few examples are AI vector search, secure data encoding and natural language processing.

Although these new features are beneficial from an operational efficiency perspective, they are just that – new features. New features in any software often come with risks, bugs and performance issues that take time to work out. Also, the restriction list associated with AI Vector Search in Oracle Database 23ai is quite long.

Let’s face it – new releases often come with defects that result in some level of downtime. Both planned and unplanned downtime not only impacts productivity, but also affects revenue and potentially brand equity.

Remember the hiccups with Oracle Database 8i and the memory management challenges with Oracle 11g and 12c? Early adoption could mean dealing with similar stability issues that are associated with early releases.

Prioritizing stability and reliability are critical. The good news is that typically, new releases stabilize within two to three years as developers address initial bugs and performance challenges.

FOMO vs. ROI: Know the difference

While the “shiny new object” is being paraded, don’t forget that typically with each upgrade, some key capabilities are also phased out. As an example, the classic style of creating Oracle databases was phased out in recent versions. Understanding these changes is important in assessing how they may impact your current workflows and upgrade path.

Take a pause and consider the ecosystem of the tools you use in conjunction with your Oracle database. Will those tools immediately be certified and available for Oracle 23ai?

Evaluate whether these new features align with your business strategy. Will AI-driven capabilities enhance your customer service, optimize operational processes, or unlock new revenue streams? Understanding these potential benefits ensures that your upgrade isn’t just a technical decision but a strategic move that drives tangible business outcomes.

Our perspective on Oracle 23ai: Keep your options open

If you’re concerned about falling behind, don’t be. Hyperscalers are integrating new AI features at a much faster rate, potentially offering capabilities that align with your business goals without the vendor lock-up. Instead of immediately jumping into a major upgrade, consider leveraging external resources and partnerships.

Also, take advantage of free development versions of Oracle23ai, allowing you to experiment with new features without committing to a full-scale upgrade.

At Rimini Street, we understand the importance of maintaining system stability, operational efficiency and business continuity. Since our inception, we’ve helped thousands of clients maximize the value of their software, ensuring their investments remain optimized and secure, while providing CIOs and CFOs with the right paths to explore new innovations, features and capabilities on a flexible, cost-effective roadmap.

Our advice would be to always consider ROI for the business first and foremost, and to ensure you are in control of your IT strategy. When it comes to Oracle 23ai, we recommend keeping your options open and resources reserved for higher-value investments that deliver greater benefits and lower risks to your business.

Curious to explore more? Dive into our eBook to learn more about Oracle 23ai.