Oracle APEX AI Assistant Enables Natural Language-Based Development of Enterprise Applications

Rhea-AI Summary

Oracle announced AI innovations in its APEX low-code development platform, introducing the APEX AI Assistant. This tool allows developers to create applications using natural language prompts, automatically generating SQL statements and debugging code. Oracle APEX, which supports over 850,000 developers and has built over 21 million applications, enables rapid and simplified application development. Key features include vector search automation, conversational AI dialogs, and creating app blueprints. Oracle APEX's inclusion in Oracle Database and its services ensures high performance, security, and scalability. Organizations like Trailcon and Natcorp have benefited from these enhancements, streamlining processes and reducing operational costs.

Positive

• Oracle APEX AI Assistant simplifies application development with natural language prompts.
• Developers can create and debug code 20X faster with 100X less code.
• APEX supports over 850,000 developers and has built over 21 million applications.
• Key features include automated SQL generation, conversational AI dialogs, and application blueprints.
• Inclusion in Oracle Database ensures high performance, security, and scalability.
• Trailcon processes 3,000+ invoices monthly with an 87% accuracy rate.
• Natcorp's AI integration reduces operational costs for over 600,000 users.

Negative

• No specific financial data provided to gauge immediate impact on ORCL stock.
• Potential reliance on AI could lead to reduced demand for traditional developers.
• Unclear how quickly the new features will be adopted by the wider developer community.

Insights

Tech Expert

Oracle's introduction of AI capabilities in the APEX low-code development platform is a significant move towards simplifying and accelerating enterprise application development. The AI Assistant feature, which allows developers to convert natural language prompts into valid SQL statements, marks a substantial improvement in reducing the coding barrier for non-SQL proficient users. This feature is particularly beneficial in large enterprises where quick scalability and adaptability are crucial.

The ability to automate SQL query generation and perform one-click bug fixes can drastically reduce development time and improve accuracy, addressing common pain points in coding. This aligns well with the industry trend of leveraging AI to enhance software development efficiency. By making these tools more accessible, Oracle is likely to see increased adoption of its platform among both seasoned developers and newcomers.

Moreover, the integration of conversational AI dialogs can significantly enhance user experience by enabling natural language interaction with applications, a feature highly valued in customer-facing applications. This functionality not only increases the attractiveness of Oracle APEX for new developers but also retains existing users by continually innovating and integrating cutting-edge technology.

Rating: 1

Market Research Analyst

This announcement has potential implications for Oracle's market position, particularly in the competitive low-code development space. The AI advancements in Oracle APEX can help Oracle differentiate itself from other low-code platforms like Microsoft's Power Apps and Google's AppSheet. The focus on ease of use and rapid development speeds positions Oracle APEX as a strong contender for enterprises looking to streamline their development processes.

Companies have increasingly preferred low-code platforms due to their ability to reduce development costs and time. Oracle's claim of enabling the creation and deployment of applications 20X faster with 100X less code is compelling and, if substantiated, could attract a significant number of new users. Additionally, the success stories from Trailcon and Natcorp highlight the practical benefits and efficiency gains realized through the platform, serving as powerful testimonials.

In the short term, this could positively impact Oracle's market share and drive revenue growth through increased subscriptions and usage of Oracle Database services. Long-term, it enhances Oracle's reputation for innovation and reliability in enterprise solutions, potentially leading to sustained competitive advantage.

Rating: 1

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, Oracle's continued investment in AI and low-code development tools is a strategic move likely to yield favorable returns. The integration of APEX AI Assistant as a no-cost feature of Oracle Database and Oracle Autonomous Database adds substantial value without additional costs for existing customers, potentially driving higher user retention and reducing churn.

The financial benefits also extend to the operational efficiencies garnered by Oracle's clients. As highlighted by Trailcon's ability to process over 3,000 invoices monthly with an 87% accuracy rate, the tangible savings in time and manual effort can translate to significant cost reductions. These use cases provide a solid foundation for Oracle to project the financial advantages of adopting their solutions to potential clients.

Furthermore, Oracle's emphasis on AI-driven tools aligns with broader market trends and investor interests in AI and automation technologies, which are viewed as growth sectors. This strategic alignment may result in positive market sentiment and bolster investor confidence in Oracle's long-term growth prospects.

Rating: 1

AI capabilities in Oracle APEX enable users who don't know SQL to execute a vector search in less than two minutes

AUSTIN, Texas, June 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle today announced new AI innovations in the latest release of the Oracle APEX low-code development platform. The new APEX AI Assistant simplifies application development and helps developers quickly build feature-rich, mission-critical applications at scale. Developers now can create applications by using natural language prompts to specify desired capabilities and components and automatically generate SQL statements, perform one-click debug correction, eliminate the need to remember table names, and easily add an out-of-the-box conversational interface to their applications. Oracle APEX is a fully supported, no-cost feature of Oracle Database and all Oracle Database services including Oracle Autonomous Database that developers can try for free here.

By replacing complex traditional coding, Oracle APEX's declarative development approach enables developers to build and deploy mission-critical enterprise applications 20X faster with 100X less code. With over 21 million applications built, Oracle APEX is the platform of choice for over 850,000 developers in organizations across industries worldwide.

"As a developer and someone who writes SQL every day, I know how challenging it can be to remember table names, column names, and syntax I don't frequently use. Having an AI assistant to determine column names contextually, JOINS, and generate complex syntax is a real game changer," said Mike Hichwa, senior vice president, software development, Oracle. "Best of all, I can use plain natural language, such as 'show me all pink T-shirts in size large left over from the most recent shipments to our Kansas City and Wichita locations' and the APEX AI Assistant will automate that for me, and show me the precise results."

Trailcon offers trailer fleet solutions 24/7, managing 30,000+ assets across North America. It built its Trailcon 360 application using Oracle APEX with OCI Document Understanding. The application provides customers with real-time analytics on geo-location, telematics, preventative maintenance, and other key indicators, as well as the ability to download and integrate invoices seamlessly to replace manual processes.

"We can process over 3,000 invoices every month with an 87% accuracy rate. Oracle APEX and OCI enables the IT Solutions team at Trailcon to continue to be agile and keep providing the data services our customers can rely on," said Giovanni Cani, vice president, IT delivery, Trailcon. "This is far simpler than other low-code solutions, and we're excited to find out what the upcoming versions of Oracle APEX will bring, specifically around AI capabilities and process optimization."

"Natcorp provides HR management solutions to more than 600,000 users in Brazil. The combination of APEX and AI is a huge time-saver for our customers—they can simply ask questions in the APEX app and get answers in seconds," said Igor Sala Cardoso, head of technology and innovation, Natcorp. "This allows HR teams to focus on their core competencies, like their recruitment strategy, while reducing operational costs with AI."

Oracle APEX is included in Oracle Database and all Oracle Database services including Oracle Autonomous Database, delivering extreme application performance, as well as industry-hardened security, availability, and scalability. For example, when used in conjunction with AI Vector Search in Oracle Database 23ai, Oracle APEX offers a way for developers to combine semantic search for documents, images, and other unstructured data with searches on private business data.

"There's low code and there's low code done right," said Ron Westfall, research director, The Futurum Group. "With the latest introduction of APEX 24.1, Oracle has deftly demonstrated how GenAI can enable developers to create hardened, mission-critical applications with ease. Coming off a series of consecutive innovations and strategic announcements—such as Oracle Database 23ai and Oracle Database@Google Cloud—APEX 24.1 continues to demonstrate Oracle's open and collaborative approach to clouds and application development."

New AI enhancements in Oracle APEX include:

• APEX AI Assistant: Enables the creation of valid SQL statements from a natural language user prompt. APEX AI Assistant remembers SQL syntax, so developers don't have to and automates the writing of SQL queries. It explains existing code and suggests code bug fixes that can be adopted with a simple click, freeing developers from routine coding tasks.
• Create App Assistant: Enables the creation of new application blueprints from a natural language user prompt that specifies desired attributes and capabilities. This simplifies the development of new applications and allows developers to focus their energy and resources on creating unique, bespoke application features rather than underlying code.
• Conversational AI dialogs: Enables end-users to "converse" with their applications in natural language through an out-of-the-box conversational interface that developers can easily add to their applications. As a result, developers can provide a richer in-app experience without the need to build generative AI or natural language processing components from scratch.

The new version of Oracle APEX is available to use today and will be demonstrated at the APEX Conference at ODTUG Kscope24 from July 14 – 18 in Nashville, TN.

Additional Resources

• Watch Mike Hichwa and Andy Mendelsohn announce APEX with GenAI
• Read the technical blog
• Read what industry analysts are saying about Oracle APEX
• Learn more about Oracle Database 23ai
• Learn more about Oracle Application Development
• Try Oracle APEX for free

About Oracle
Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

Trademarks
Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company—ushering in the new era of cloud computing.

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SOURCE Oracle

FAQ

What new features were announced in the Oracle APEX platform?

Oracle announced the APEX AI Assistant, which allows natural language prompts for application development, automated SQL generation, and conversational AI dialogs in the Oracle APEX platform.

How does the APEX AI Assistant benefit developers?

The APEX AI Assistant simplifies the development process, enabling faster application creation by generating SQL statements and debugging code with natural language prompts.

What companies have benefited from the new Oracle APEX enhancements?

Companies like Trailcon and Natcorp have benefited, streamlining processes like invoice processing and reducing operational costs with AI integration.

How many developers use Oracle APEX?

Over 850,000 developers use Oracle APEX, and the platform has built over 21 million applications.

What is the impact of Oracle APEX on application development speed?

Oracle APEX enables developers to create and deploy applications 20X faster with 100X less code.

What are the key features of Oracle APEX?

Key features include APEX AI Assistant for natural language prompts, automated SQL generation, conversational AI dialogs, and application blueprints.

How does Oracle APEX ensure high performance and security?

Oracle APEX is included in Oracle Database and all its services, providing high performance, industry-hardened security, and scalability.

When and where will the new version of Oracle APEX be demonstrated?

The new version of Oracle APEX will be demonstrated at the APEX Conference at ODTUG Kscope24 from July 14 – 18 in Nashville, TN.