Oracle is well known for its database software that runs in the background of many of the world's companies.
Microsoft is always called the biggest software company in the world but Oracle is, without doubt, the biggest database software company and the chief executive officer, Larry Ellison, is energetic and does not shy away from saying what he thinks.
Oracle has been quick to realise the importance of the Internet.
Netscape, of course, takes the prize for being there first but Oracle followed quickly.
If anything is to function properly on the Internet then the key is in the design and implementation of the databases that handle the huge amounts of data shuttling back and forth.
Handling such large amounts of information does not simply mean keeping it organised. It means keeping it in a form that is easily accessible and changeable should a future need require a complete reorganisation of the data.
