Why Organizations are Migrating from Oracle to PostgreSQL

Oracle is a gold standard in enterprise database technology, but an increasing number of companies are making the switch to the open source PostgreSQL. While many organizations may assume that an open-source solution lacks the enterprise features that they require, PostgreSQL stands out by delivering a comparable level of features. DB Engines has named it Database Management System of the Year multiple times, and it offers a cost-effective way for small and medium-sized businesses to access functionality previously restricted to enterprise-level budgets.

The Benefits of PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL offers a powerful solution for supporting business-critical applications. This database technology provides many benefits to companies of all sizes that need a flexible and reliable option. Here are a few reasons that organizations keep choosing PostgreSQL over commercial database providers.

Unconventional Database Structures

PostgreSQL goes beyond a solely relational database solution. It uses an object-relational data model, which is a crucial way that this database brings flexibility to organizations. You can set up complex data structures that include user-defined objects and behaviors to innovate your applications and explore new use cases.

Unlimited Database Sizes

The sheer volume of data organizations deal with is not going to decrease. Databases that limit their sizes are difficult to work with in this type of environment. PostgreSQL splits the table data into files of up to 32 TB for tables, 1.6 TB per row, and 1 GB per field to create unlimited database sizes. You can have as many rows as you want on each table. Column numbers can reach 1,600, and you have no limit on data indexes.

Broad Data Types Support

Data sources come in many forms, and PostgreSQL is happy to accommodate them. Maximize the value of your data by easily tapping into all of the sources available. This database is the only open-source option with this level of data type support. You don’t need to put workarounds in place to bring in new data sources, or spend extensive developer resources to make it work the way you require.

Exemplary Data Integrity

You can’t have an enterprise-level database without high availability. PostgreSQL focuses heavily on this area through many methods, such as going above and beyond data integrity standards. It’s ANSI-SQL:2008 and ACID compliant, which provides significant peace of mind when it comes to data integrity.

No Licensing Fees

Let’s face it. Oracle is exceedingly expensive. PostgreSQL represents immediate cost savings through its open-source platform. Without licensing fees to worry about, you have more room in your database budget to implement other exciting solutions. You also have the opportunity to build upon this database technology through the open-source code for fully customized solutions.

Extensibility

Most of the features in enterprise databases can be implemented in PostgreSQL using extensions. It allows to start using the extensions which are readily available or build our own extensions and start using without having any restrictions unlike proprietary databases.

Open-source Community Involvement

Another benefit of using an open-source database technology like PostgreSQL is the active network of third-party developers surrounding it. You gain an excellent talent network to tap into, as well as many resources for learning how to do more with your PostgreSQL-based infrastructure. Your organization also benefits from a security standpoint. There are many eyes on the code following updates and releases, which offers more opportunities to uncover security flaws and exploits, so they’re resolved quickly.

PostgreSQL makes a compelling case for migration through these benefits.

Learn more about PostgreSQL’s high availability features and why organizations migrate from Oracle in our white paper, Don’t Let Oracle High Availability Features Stop You From Migrating to PostgreSQL.