What is Oracle APEX?
Oracle APEX is a leading low-code platform for building scalable, secure web and mobile apps, deployable in the cloud or on-premises. It enables developers to quickly create solutions without needing deep expertise in multiple technologies, allowing them to focus on solving problems while APEX handles the complexities.
What can you do with APEX?
Use Cases
Discover these six common use cases to gain insights into the capabilities Oracle APEX provides:
New Cloud Apps
Datamart Reporting
Spreadsheet Replacement
SaaS and EBS Extensions
Oracle Form Modernization
External Data Sharing
1. New Cloud Apps
Develop applications promptly to seize emerging business opportunities.
Organizations encounter a large backlog of non-enterprise apps needed quickly to meet evolving business demands. These apps often have vague requirements and shifting priorities, so they must be fast to build and easy to update.
Concept to Working Prototype in Minutes
Quick SQL lets you define new data structures with sample data using a simple shorthand syntax. It generates SQL scripts to create tables, triggers, and views in Oracle APEX. You can then use the Create App Wizard to quickly build reports, forms, and add features like access control and activity tracking, making a complete app in minutes.
Apply Low-Code Development Practices
Both IT professionals and tech-savvy business users can quickly build apps using Oracle APEX's low-code features. Its intuitive, browser-based Application Builder simplifies app creation, while powerful components allow for advanced functionality with minimal coding.
Agile Development
Oracle APEX enables rapid development and real-time collaboration with end users. Developers can quickly implement changes and enhancements, making it as efficient for maintaining apps as it is for building the initial prototype.
No Additional Licensing Costs
Oracle APEX is free to use if you already have an Oracle Database license, regardless of the number of developers, apps, or users. If not, you can access Oracle APEX with Oracle Database Cloud services at competitive, hourly pricing.
2. Spreadsheet Replacement
From a Spreadsheet to Web app in Minutes
Single Source of Truth
Users log into a single APEX app to manage and view consistent, centralized data, eliminating the need for multiple spreadsheets
Advanced Security
Spreadsheets lack authentication and audit features, whereas APEX apps offer SSO, LDAP, or social login options and built-in audit tracking. Data stored in Oracle Database benefits from professional backups managed by DBAs.
Fully Relational
In spreadsheets, implementing master-detail relationships is difficult, leading to flat data that's hard to analyze. APEX simplifies this by running on the relational Oracle Database, where referential integrity is easily maintained, and master-detail pages can be defined declaratively.
3. Oracle Forms Modernization
Modernize outdated Oracle Forms apps with APEX to improve usability, accessibility, browser compatibility, and mobile support. Transitioning from Oracle Forms to APEX is straightforward due to their shared SQL and PL/SQL basis and declarative development environments.
Modern, Beautiful, Responsive, Web-based Apps
The Universal Theme in APEX creates modern apps with customizable styles and templates, making it easy to build user-friendly applications.
Cohesive Design Patterns
APEX simplifies the creation of intuitive, accessible apps that are easy to navigate, similar to popular web apps. This makes it ideal for customer or partner-facing applications that require no training.
Rapid Application Development
Since APEX is metadata-based, maintaining or enhancing page definitions is quick and easy. For full page extensions, you can use SQL, PL/SQL, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
Run on any Web Browser
APEX apps run entirely in the browser with no client software needed. They are fully responsive and mobile-ready, working seamlessly on any device.
4. External Data Sharing
Building public-facing apps for partners and customers can enhance business processes and customer satisfaction. To ensure security and reliability, use Oracle Database Cloud Services or an isolated Oracle Database in your DMZ for safe app development.
RESTful Integration
With APEX and Oracle REST Data Services (ORDS), developers can easily expose or consume RESTful Web Services. They can define a REST endpoint and then build reports, charts, or calendars on that data source declaratively.
Build Bespoke Apps
Quickly develop custom applications designed to engage and delight your customers, encouraging them to increase their business with you.
Advanced Security
Spreadsheets typically lack robust authentication and auditing features. In contrast, APEX applications support Single Sign-On (SSO), LDAP, and social logins, and can easily integrate audit tracking. Additionally, data is stored in Oracle Database, which is typically managed and backed up by professional database administrators.
Cloud Hosting
You supply the data while Oracle handles the external infrastructure through Oracle Database Cloud Services.
Oracle Vetted Services
Oracle offers a secured environment that is monitored 24x7.
5. Datamart Reporting
Building interactive reporting apps with APEX simplifies the process of obtaining accurate, comprehensive data across an organization. It overcomes challenges like data scattered across systems, limited existing reports, access control issues, and slow report generation by offering extensive reporting and data visualization capabilities for creating effective dashboards.
Coalesce Data
To report accurately across an organization, first consolidate disparate data sets into a database or set up RESTful Web Services for APEX to use.
Fine Grained Security
Data can be restricted or redacted so that different user groups only access relevant information.
Comprehensive Reporting
APEX's Interactive Reports let users easily customize data display with options for column selection, filtering, sorting, computations, and pivoting. Users can save reports for personal use or share them with others.
Performant
Data operations occur directly in Oracle Database, avoiding data transfers. It also offers ad-hoc analysis functions for use in Oracle APEX.
6. SaaS and EBS Extensions
Many organizations use Oracle APEX to integrate with their ERP systems. While ERP systems offer extensive out-of-the-box functionality, they may not always provide the specific reports or features required, especially if they are tailored to particular industries or organizational needs. Additionally, some common business processes may be overly complex and inefficient. In these situations, developing an extension with APEX can provide the necessary information and significantly enhance productivity and user satisfaction.
Interactive Reporting
Enable end users to easily customize data to fulfill their reporting needs. This includes options for selecting and ordering columns, applying filters and sorting, performing computations and aggregations, and pivoting data. Users also have the capability to save reports for personal use or share them with others.
Streamline Processes
Create an extension that streamlines the business process by reducing the number of steps involved. This extension will efficiently extract the required data from the ERP system and subsequently return the completed work products to the ERP system.
Bespoke Development
Address company or industry-specific needs by developing custom applications. These applications should leverage relevant ERP data while incorporating local database objects to store additional information not available within the ERP system.
Tight Integration
APEX can integrate data from various systems, beyond just ERP data, to create enhanced dashboards, reports, and more intricate business processes. This data can be accessed through REST Web Services or by connecting to other databases for data extraction and input.
