Is Oracle NetSuite a Boat Anchor to sink Small Business?
“We literally went from [sub-]second response / redraw times to routinely 5 seconds, sometimes 30 seconds or more, in common functions such as adding an Invoice and displaying a table of Invoices… it is totally ridiculous, ruinous to our productivity. … Several expensive consultants have looked into the issues, which we’ve come to find are relatively commonplace; our initial integrator has been seeking any kind of speed boost — short of reverting to our old system which has [become unsupported] we’re trying everything else at this point.”
Given the universal feedback, using NetSuite might seem “self sabotagey” at this point.
There is a well-known thing called Industrial Sabotage. But, what about a lesser-known “Societal Sabotage”? In the public and substantial, ongoing push for a “New World Order”, nations must be ‘done away with’, and that means the American Middle Class — wary, armed, and having something valuable to lose but the means to protect it — must be undermined and also ‘done away with’. To that end,
Oracle Corporation: Threat to Competition, Innovation, and American Middle Class
Oracle Corporation, led by its flamboyant billionaire founder Larry Ellison, has long positioned itself as a titan of the tech industry. From databases to cloud computing, Oracle has become embedded deeply into the digital infrastructure of governments, corporations, and financial institutions worldwide. However, beneath the surface of innovation lies another reality—one that is anti-competitive, anti-Middle Class, and alarmingly authoritarian.
This post examines the darker side of Oracle and how its strategic acquisitions, its monopolistic tendencies, and its influence over critical systems have made it a perilous force in American technology, business, and society.
The ‘Database Everything’ Obsession: A Drive for Total Information Control
From the outset, Oracle’s business model has revolved around one central theme: data consolidation and control. Ellison’s vision has always been to make Oracle databases the bedrock of everything—from enterprise resource planning (ERP) to law enforcement tracking and even national security operations.
- Oracle’s aggressive sales tactics have cornered businesses, universities, and governments into its ecosystem, making them heavily dependent on Oracle technology—even at comparatively exorbitant licensing costs.
- Ellison has openly advocated for database-backed national identification systems, raising concerns about “Big Brother” type mass surveillance and privacy violations.
- Oracle’s contracts with intelligence agencies and law enforcement suggest a deeply entrenched partnership with the security state, further cementing its role as an enabler of digital authoritarianism.
While Oracle sells its software as an “enterprise solution,” an alterative view is that of its being a corporate-level data siphon, extracting control over information wherever possible.
The MySQL Takeover: Oracle’s Impact on Open-Source Innovation
Oracle’s acquisition of Sun Microsystems in 2010 was significant—not only because it gained control of Sun’s hardware business but also because it secured ownership of MySQL, a leading open-source database.
- Before Oracle: MySQL was a popular alternative to Oracle’s proprietary database systems, widely adopted by startups and enterprises alike.
- After Oracle: Despite public assurances, there were concerns that Oracle might deprioritize MySQL in favor of its own database solutions. This led to the emergence of forks like MariaDB to maintain MySQL’s open-source ethos.
- The Result: The acquisition raised fears about reduced competition in the database market, potentially limiting choices for businesses seeking cost-effective database solutions.
The MySQL acquisition was not just a business maneuver—it was perceived by some as an attempt to control open-source competition, ensuring Oracle’s dominance in enterprise databases.
Sources:
The Story Behind Acquisition of ‘MySQL’ by Sun and the Rise of MariaDB
NetSuite: Eliminating Competition in Cloud ERP
Oracle’s 2016 acquisition of NetSuite was another strategic move that raised concerns about competition in the cloud ERP market. Originally, NetSuite posed a challenge to Oracle’s dominance in ERP and cloud-based business software. By acquiring it, Oracle effectively neutralized that competition.
- NetSuite’s Original Appeal: Known for its ease of use and flexibility, NetSuite was a preferred choice for small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
- Post-Acquisition Changes: Under Oracle’s ownership, there were concerns about potential changes in NetSuite’s development trajectory and pricing structures.
- Market Impact: The acquisition led to market consolidation, intensifying competition as other vendors sought to match the combined entity’s capabilities.
This pattern is consistent with Oracle’s history—identify competitors, acquire them, and integrate or restructure them to align with Oracle’s broader strategy.
Sources:
A New Era for NetSuite and Its Customers
Big Brother in the Cloud: Oracle’s Role in Mass Surveillance
Oracle has long positioned itself as a “trusted partner” to the U.S. government, but its collaborations have raised serious ethical concerns:
- Terrorist Tracking & Citizen Monitoring: Oracle’s databases have powered surveillance initiatives, from government tracking systems to predictive policing algorithms.
- Data Brokering & Analytics: With its cloud offerings, Oracle has expanded into behavioral analytics, collecting vast amounts of user data under the guise of “business intelligence.”
- Ties to Authoritarian Governments: Oracle has been linked to contracts with governments that have poor human rights records, providing database solutions that could be used for political repression.
Despite Ellison’s portrayal of Oracle as a “protector of democracy”, the company’s core business model relies on consolidating and monetizing sensitive citizen data.
Extravagant Ventures: Resources Diverted from Core Business
While Oracle customers navigate the complexities of its software, Larry Ellison has invested heavily in ventures like America’s Cup yacht racing, personal islands, and luxury real estate.
- Resource Allocation: Significant funds have been directed towards Ellison’s personal projects, which some argue could have been invested in enhancing Oracle’s products and services.
- Impact on Innovation: Critics suggest that such expenditures reflect a misalignment of priorities, potentially affecting Oracle’s competitiveness in rapidly evolving tech sectors.
In a world where tech giants are expected to drive innovation, Oracle’s focus on consolidating power and wealth raises concerns about its commitment to technological advancement.
Conclusion: Oracle’s Impact on America and the Middle Class
Oracle’s legacy is marked by monopolistic practices, corporate authoritarianism, and anti-competitive behavior. Through strategic acquisitions, data consolidation, and partnerships with government entities, Oracle has positioned itself as a dominant force—a role that is potentially harmful to competition, technological progress, and individual privacy.
- Data Consolidation: Oracle’s “Database Everything” philosophy extends control over enterprise and citizen information.
- Impact on Open Source: The acquisition of MySQL raised concerns about the future of open-source alternatives.
- Market Consolidation: The purchase of NetSuite reduced competition in the cloud ERP market.
- Surveillance Concerns: Oracle’s collaborations with government agencies have implications for privacy and civil liberties.
- Resource Allocation: Ellison’s investments in personal ventures highlight potential misalignments in corporate priorities.
For businesses, developers, and the American middle class, Oracle’s practices raise questions about affordability, transparency, and freedom in technology. Its history of stifling competition, influencing costs, and leveraging data for power suggests that it is time to critically assess Oracle’s role in shaping the future of digital infrastructure.
If there’s any lesson to be learned from Oracle’s history, it is this: The company has often expanded its influence through strategic acquisitions and consolidations—and that is a concern for all stakeholders.
Larry Ellison: Background, Education, and Influence
Early Life and Education
Larry Ellison was born on August 17, 1944, in New York City to an unwed Jewish mother. His biological father was an Italian-American pilot for the United States Army Air Corps. After contracting pneumonia at nine months old, he was adopted by his mother’s aunt and uncle, Lillian and Louis Ellison, and raised in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood.
Ellison attended South Shore High School and later enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a pre-med student, where he was named science student of the year. However, he withdrew after his sophomore year following the death of his adoptive mother. He then briefly attended the University of Chicago, where he studied physics and mathematics and was introduced to computer design before moving to Berkeley, California, to start a career in programming.
Religious Background and Beliefs
Ellison was raised in a Reform Jewish household where his adoptive parents attended synagogue regularly. However, he became a religious skeptic and did not have a bar mitzvah. While he has expressed respect for religious beliefs, he does not actively practice any religion. His affinity for Israel is more aligned with its technological innovation than religious ties.
Social Circles and Industry Connections
Throughout his career, Ellison has moved in the same elite tech and defense circles as figures like Bill Gates. His company, Oracle, has been deeply involved in defense and military technology, providing database solutions for government agencies, including intelligence and law enforcement entities.
Conclusion
Larry Ellison’s rise from a modest upbringing to becoming one of the most influential figures in the tech industry is driven by his early exposure to technology and his strategic business acumen. While he has played a major role in the expansion of database technology, there is no concrete evidence linking him to secretive organizations or ideological influences beyond his known affiliations.
Sources:
- https://achievement.org/achiever/larry-j-ellison/
- https://www.britannica.com/money/Larry-Ellison
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Ellison
