The Genesis of a Database Revolution
Oracle Corporation was
founded in 1977 by three visionaries: Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates.
Initially named Software Development Laboratories (SDL), the company was
inspired by a research paper from British computer scientist Edgar F. Codd that
outlined the concept of a relational database. Ellison and his colleagues
recognized the immense commercial potential in a system that could efficiently
organize and retrieve vast amounts of data.
Working with a modest initial investment, the team developed the first commercial relational database management system (RDBMS) to use Structured Query Language (SQL). In 1979, the company, by then renamed Relational Software, Inc. (RSI), released the first version of its groundbreaking software, simply called Oracle. This marked the beginning of a new era in data management and set the stage for Oracle's decades of dominance in the enterprise software market. The company officially became Oracle Corporation in 1995.
Ownership and
Shareholder Structure
Oracle is a publicly
traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). While it has a
broad base of institutional and individual investors, its ownership structure
is unique due to the significant stake held by its co-founder.
- Larry Ellison: The co-founder and
current Chief Technology Officer, Larry Ellison, remains the largest
single shareholder, controlling a massive 41.2% of the company's stock.
- Institutional Investors: The majority
of the remaining shares are held by institutional investors. The largest
of these include:
- The Vanguard Group
- BlackRock
- State Street Corporation
This structure gives
Oracle the stability of a founder-led vision combined with the market
discipline of a publicly-traded entity.
A Culture of
Innovation and Inclusion
Oracle's corporate
culture is built on a foundation of treating every employee with fairness and
dignity. The company emphasizes that its employment decisions are based on
merit, experience, and business needs. Key aspects of its workplace philosophy
include:
- Inclusion and Diversity: Oracle is
committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all
employees feel safe and can bring their authentic selves to work. The
company believes that a variety of backgrounds and experiences fuels
innovation and thought leadership.
- Flexibility: Recognizing the
importance of work-life balance, Oracle offers flexible work arrangements,
including remote, hybrid, and in-office options to suit different needs
and preferences.
- Continuous Learning: Oracle supports
the ongoing professional development of its employees through various
training programs and educational reimbursement opportunities.
Comprehensive
Employee Benefits
Oracle provides a
robust benefits package designed to support the financial, physical, and mental
well-being of its employees and their families.
|
Benefit Category |
Details |
|
Financial &
Retirement |
Includes an
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) allowing employees to buy Oracle stock at
a discount, and a 401(k) plan with a 50% company match on the first 6% of
base salary .In India, the company matches 12% of an employee's salary for
the Employee Provident Fund and offers participation in a superannuation plan
and the National Pension Scheme . |
|
Health &
Wellness |
Comprehensive
medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with mental health support
through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides confidential
counseling sessions . |
|
Paid Time Off
& Leave |
Oracle offers
unlimited paid time off to its employees . |
|
Professional
Development |
An education
reimbursement program provides up to $5,250 annually for approved,
work-related courses . |
|
Office Perks |
In India,
employees have access to free childcare services and an onsite gym with
recreational facilities like billiards and table tennis .The company also
supports commuter benefits through pre-tax deductions . |
Employment and
Career Opportunities
As a global technology
leader, Oracle offers a vast array of career paths across numerous disciplines.
The company is continuously hiring for roles that drive innovation and support
its global customer base. Key career areas include:
- Product Development: Opportunities
for software engineers and developers to work on cutting-edge technologies
like AI, machine learning, and blockchain.
- Consulting: Roles for technical and
functional consultants to help customers implement and succeed with
Oracle's wide range of applications and technologies.
- Sales and Solution Engineering: Positions
for ambitious professionals to identify customer needs and design
solutions that solve unique business problems.
- Corporate Functions: Careers in
finance, human resources, legal, and marketing that are essential to the
company's global operations.
- Support: Roles for technical support
and data center engineers who provide mission-critical assistance to
customers.
Launching Careers:
Opportunities for Freshers
Oracle is committed to
nurturing the next generation of talent and offers a variety of programs for
students and recent graduates. These programs provide a clear path into the
tech industry and an opportunity to work on real-world challenges.
- Graduate Programs: Oracle hires
motivated graduates from all disciplines for its consulting, sales, and
solution engineering teams. For those with a background in computer
science or engineering, there are opportunities to use their skills to
solve critical problems and explore emerging technologies.
- Job Openings in India: There is a
consistent demand for fresh talent in India, with numerous openings for
graduates in roles such as Full Stack Engineer, Collections Specialist,
and various analyst positions.
- Internships: Oracle offers internship
programs, including a special quarter-long program for veterans and
military spouses, providing hands-on training in various business areas.
The Future: A
Cloud-First, AI-Driven World
Oracle's future is
firmly rooted in the cloud and powered by artificial intelligence. The company
has set ambitious goals for the coming years, with a strong focus on expanding
its Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).
- Aggressive Growth Targets: Oracle
projects that its OCI revenue will experience massive growth, potentially
increasing eight-fold over the next four years. The company has set a
revenue goal of $99.5 billion by 2028.
- Major AI Partnerships: Oracle is
solidifying its position in the AI landscape through strategic
collaborations with major players like Meta, AMD, IBM, and a significant
deal to provide cloud infrastructure for OpenAI.
- Expanding AI Services: The company is
continuously expanding its suite of AI-powered enterprise products and
services, aiming to integrate AI into all layers of its technology stack.
By leveraging its deep
expertise in data management and enterprise software, Oracle is strategically
positioning itself to be a dominant force in the AI-driven cloud era, promising
a future of continued innovation and growth.