A Challenging Start with a Silver Lining
The DOAG Conference 2024 began with an eventful journey for me, Dani Schnider, and Martin Berger. A major train disruption in Memmingen forced us to switch to a rental car, turning our trip into an unplanned road trip. Despite the hiccups, we made good use of the time with engaging conversations. Unfortunately, this delay caused us to miss the ACE Adventure on Monday afternoon, but we managed to arrive in time for the ACE Dinner in the evening.
Networking at the ACE Dinner
The ACE Dinner marked the perfect start to the conference. It provided a unique opportunity to connect with ACE colleagues and Oracle product managers. The evening was enhanced by delicious Nuremberg cuisine and local beer. A special highlight was the visit of Juan Loaiza, Executive Vice President for Database Technologies at Oracle, who joined us for enriching discussions.
Day 1: Early Start and a Packed Schedule
The first conference day kicked off bright and early for me with my session “Oracle DB Security with the Use of AI” at 8:30 AM. The rest of the day was filled with fascinating presentations and regular stops at the Accenture booth, which made its return after a long absence. A personal highlight was the DOAG.tv interview, where Dani Schnider and I, under the motto “There’s nothing that doesn’t exist”, shared insights and stories from our daily work as Oracle DBAs and specialists. The day ended on a high note with the traditional Swiss Evening, featuring suckling pig, dumplings, and beer.
Day 2: A Full House and More Highlights
Day two was equally intense. My session on “Administration and Operation of Hardened Databases” was a standout moment, drawing over 120 attendees and filling the room to capacity. I also joined a security roundtable discussion, which fostered valuable exchanges on key topics. The day concluded with the legendary DOAG Party, where good food, music, and networking set the perfect tone.
Day 3: A Chance to Recharge
The third day provided some breathing room, as I didn’t have any personal sessions scheduled. Instead, I participated in the Oracle DB Security Panel Discussion, contributing to valuable debates. I spent the rest of the day attending various presentations, gaining fresh perspectives and new ideas.
Workshop at the DOAG Training Day
The conference may have ended on Thursday, but Martin Berger and I continued into Friday with a workshop on Oracle Cloud Security at the DOAG Training Day. Preparation ran late into the night, but the calmer atmosphere of the training day allowed us to focus on delivering a targeted and effective session. Sharing our expertise with the participants was deeply rewarding.
Wrapping Up the Week
By 4:00 PM on Friday, the intense but rewarding week finally came to a close. Martin and I headed back home to Switzerland, optimistic that snowy weather wouldn’t turn the return journey into another road trip adventure.
One more thing: The Oracle community is gradually moving away from X (Twitter) and increasingly connecting on Bluesky. You can find me there at stefanoehrli.bsky.social.
Further Impressions
