Oracle Application Express (APEX) Reviews

I use Oracle APEX to build forms and pages for end users to easily manage customer complaints and perform quick fixes. By providing a user-friendly interface with proper validation, we empower end users to address issues themselves, reducing the need for backend database intervention. APEX has been a highly efficient tool for facilitating user transactions and resolving customer complaints swiftly.

One standout feature of Oracle APEX is its seamless integration with backend procedures, allowing for quick updates without changing the front-end interface. Additionally, dynamic actions streamline user interactions, enabling complex behaviors like button interactions and API calls with ease. These features drastically improve development efficiency by simplifying backend-to-frontend changes and providing extensive customization options through dynamic actions.

One area for improvement in Oracle APEX is its workflow orchestration capabilities. While it excels in forms and reports, handling complex workflows with waiting states and asynchronous responses needs enhancement. Simplifying workflow management to align with modern architecture standards, like in Fusion, would make APEX more robust and user-friendly.

I have been using Oracle APEX for two years.

Comparing Oracle Form Builder to Oracle APEX, the major advantage of APEX is its ease of layout customization and built-in features, making it more user-friendly than Form Builder. In APEX, layout adjustments are simple with pre-built options and HTML functions, while Form Builder requires meticulous coding and often relies on custom PLL files for advanced customization. Additionally, APEX allows seamless execution of PLC code from the backend, unlike Form Builder, where syntax differences complicate the process. Overall, APEX offers a more streamlined and efficient development experience compared to Form Builder.

Setting up Oracle APEX is straightforward and usually requires just a one-time installation. It is often included for free with Oracle Database versions starting from 11c. Despite its availability, many users may not be aware of it. APEX serves as both a development and reporting tool, addressing users' dynamic and regular data needs efficiently. With APEX, we can quickly develop custom reports or interactive grids within minutes, automating processes and saving significant time in development cycles, typically taking just two to three months from requirement gathering to deployment.

I use Oracle APEX for rapid prototyping and deployment. It is the most efficient tool I have used, significantly reducing development time compared to older platforms. With its low-code interface and abundance of features like dynamic actions, APEX simplifies development, especially for those familiar with traditional forms. Its web-based nature and minimal need for customization further enhance its usability. Overall, APEX streamlines the development process and enables quick deployment of applications with minimal coding effort.

The integration capabilities of Oracle APEX are impressive. We have leveraged backend database connections via DB links to interact with multiple databases seamlessly. This allows us to consolidate data from different sources and generate comprehensive reports within a single APEX application. While we haven't fully explored all integration possibilities, APEX supports various functions like JSON files, web services, and REST APIs, offering potential for future integrations, such as with customer compliance systems. 

Overall, I would rate Oracle APEX as an eight out of ten.

In the public sector, our clients are primarily using Oracle APEX to update their old systems. We have been working on government projects for over a decade, and many of our clients are moving from outdated tools like Oracle Forms and ADA Oracle to Oracle APEX. This shift lets them benefit from APEX's user-friendly, low-code approach, speeding up app development, and keeping them in line with modern web standards, resulting in better efficiency and user experiences.

The most valuable feature of Oracle APEX is its comprehensive set of features for creating user-friendly and visually appealing applications. This includes local development, remote templates, and graphic capabilities. Additionally, the platform offers tools like smart sheets, search wizards, and easy application creation from various file formats, making it highly adaptable. It also excels in configuring workloads and notifications, implementing reports, and allowing seamless attachment handling. The availability of plugins further enhances its value, making it a go-to choice for application development and use.

In terms of improvement, there should be a greater focus on AI and machine learning tools in Oracle APEX. While the platform is evolving, making these tools more accessible and user-friendly is crucial due to the rapid growth of AI and ML. Providing more pre-built packages and simplifying their usage would facilitate the platform's adoption in AI applications and machine learning, ensuring it stays relevant in these rapidly advancing fields.

I have been using Oracle APEX for three years.

I would rate the stability of the solution as a ten out of ten.

It is a very scalable solution. I would rate the scalability as a nine out of ten. Most of my clients are medium-sized businesses.

I would rate the technical support as a ten out of ten.

Positive

Deployment in Oracle APEX is a smooth and straightforward process, and we haven't had any issues with it. Even when creating different environment clones, we can easily migrate applications without complications. Deployment is quite efficient, and it typically takes less than an hour, often around half an hour, thanks to the support of a dedicated DBA and the use of the WebLogic application server. For deployment, after completing application development, we export the application files, including standard features. Then, these files are sent to the Logical Manager, who is the application server administrator. They handle the deployment on the WebLogic server.

I find the pricing of Oracle APEX to be very reasonable because it is free when you already have a license for Oracle database. This cost-effectiveness is a significant advantage.

My advice for those interested in using Oracle APEX is to start promptly, as there is a learning curve, particularly if you are less familiar with CSS and JavaScript. In the initial stages, you may encounter limitations when creating more complex interfaces and feature-rich applications, which may require additional effort in terms of CSS and workload. However, for straightforward applications, Oracle APEX is user-friendly and easy to use. Overall, I would rate it as a ten out of ten.

Oracle APEX provides a fast web page for any application or dashboard, enabling users to create ad hoc reports.

The valuable features are charts, reports, and search engines.

The solution's layout could be improved for report generation to allow more configuration.

I have been using Oracle APEX for 15 years.

I rate the solution’s stability a ten out of ten.

The solution’s scalability is not high. 50-60 online users are using this solution.

I rate the solution’s scalability an eight out of ten.

The technical support is very good.

Positive

The initial setup is neither easy nor hard. I rate it three or four out of ten.

We must set up more than five tools to run the Oracle APEX application, including the database, assets, API publisher, Application Express, web logies, and several tools.

The deployment depends on the project and can be handled by one person. It takes less than one month for a single project or another month for other projects.

The deployment process is the same as for other applications. It typically involves analysis, implementation, coding, database package development, design, and front-end development.

The solution is cheap. It's a free solution.

I rate the solution's pricing a six or seven out of ten.

Oracle APEX is a good solution to create web applications quickly and easily, with many options.

Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

Our company uses the solution as a development platform for client projects that include marketplaces.  

We have five developers and 200 other users. 

The autonomous database is valuable and provides the main structure for code development. 

The solution does not include a default or custom template like other products. 

The PL/SQL format is a bit limiting so newer technologies should be added. We currently cannot write anything beyond PL/SQL. 

I have been using the solution for a few months. 

The solution is stable. 

The solution is scalable. 

Customer support is good and gives unconditional assistance. 

I rate support a ten out of ten. 

Positive

One of our customers previously used OutSystems and Mendix. 

The setup is very easy and just takes a few minutes. We can start building applications within five minutes. 

The solution cloud-based so there is no implementation. Everything is almost done already so it takes two clicks to complete setup. 

The pricing is very good and less expensive than Mendix or OutSystems. Pricing is a little bit higher than Microsoft products. 

Extra features can be purchased based on your needs. Identity access management and token authentication are a little bit costly. 

We also use SharePoint for normal application development.

I rate the solution an eight out of ten. 

It's a low-code platform where you can go for any customization or dashboard. You can use the solution to create any application, and then we can connect with the real-time API.

You can customize the solution to create a console where only business users can access and download files if they want to extract the data.

The migration process is difficult in Oracle Application Express. It would be helpful if the solution provided more video tutorials and upfront problem-solving documentation in the future.

I have been using Oracle Application Express (APEX) for one and a half years.

Oracle Application Express is a stable solution.

Our clients for Oracle Application Express are small-scale businesses.

The solution is moderately priced, where it is neither cheap nor expensive. The solution's pricing depends on how it is going to be utilized. Almost 5GB to 20GB of database would be free. Anything more than that needs to be procured, and then it'll be charged monthly. Users have to pay extra to own the license and for its maintenance.

The solution's low-code approach is very good. It improves our productivity and adds a different layer to the existing products, which gives visibility to the customer. It's easy to configure Oracle Application Express.

Maintaining the solution is not very difficult. It will be difficult if you want to change the existing framework and don't know the functionality properly. Only a technical person who has already worked with the platform can upgrade the solution.

Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.

We use Apex for the development of publications, specifically in the context of a payroll system. Presently, we are using Apex version 20, but there is an update available to version 31.2. The migration was not a one-to-one transfer, as leveraging Apex effectively requires a shift in programming approach to create an optimal user interface. Adapting to Apex involves relinquishing old programming habits, but the platform offers extensive capabilities that, once mastered, facilitate a user-friendly experience.

In our experience with Apex, we find that minimizing reliance on HTML and JavaScript is preferable, especially considering our background as seasoned programmers adept in PL/SQL. Incorporating HTML and JavaScript can pose challenges due to potential compatibility issues when updates are made to JavaScript. We also make use of JASPER report integration for generating reports, a practice integral to our reporting procedures.    

Apex has effectively incorporated new market trends into its features. The platform's user-friendly nature is notable, guiding developers through the development process. While advanced customization of the user interface with HTML and CSS is possible, the out-of-the-box options often suffice, providing 80-90% of the required functionality. The IDE is commendable, yet an enhancement in the Page Designer to allow a real-time preview of layout changes would be beneficial. Currently, running the page is necessary to visualize layout adjustments, but an immediate preview during the design phase would be a valuable improvement.

We have been using Oracle Application Express (APEX) since 2011.

It is easy to install and I would rate the installment process 8 out of 10, a piece of cake.

The installment process for our system can be intricate, especially considering ODBC connections to the Oracle database. This involves optimizing for sharing and accommodating multiple users, ensuring efficient session management. Unlike a user-friendly click-and-install approach, our Linux-based installation demands a command-line understanding, necessitating familiarity with Linux commands. We opt for Linux over Windows Server, prioritizing cost-effectiveness with platforms like Oracle Lenovo or CentOS.Initially, we provided hosting on our cloud but encountered challenges with clients reluctant to pay for hosting services. Factors such as unreliable internet and frequent electricity outages in Venezuela further contributed to this preference for on-premise deployment.

Apex is not priced separately; instead, it is associated with the Oracle database. A free option for Oracle database and Apex can be downloaded and installed on this complimentary database version. This aligns with our current approach.

I would rate it 9 out of 10. 

I have developed a small project of business applications in APEX. This tool helps me understand the process and the speed of the application. My primary objective was to know how fast a developer can develop an application with the tool.

The solution is easy to handle. The tool has helped us develop many applications since it supports SQL and NoSQL languages. We are familiar with this language. Also, the solution’s interface design and database design are very easy. It is not so much complex. I have no experience working with other solutions.

The solution’s pricing is high if you use it on the OCA platform. It’s also a little bit costly. However, if we use it on an on-premises Oracle database, the pricing is cheaper.

I have been working with the solution for a few months.

APEX is a stable product.

The solution is scalable and can handle huge amounts of load.

I haven’t got the time to use all of the solution’s features. After I use them I may be able to give a ten out of ten for customer support. Currently, I would rate it an eight out of ten.

Positive

The solution is free if you are using on Oracle database.

I would rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Our company uses the solution for our internal processes such as project management, customer tracking, and opportunity tracking. We have a dashboard that compiles our days and information coming from different applications. 

We also provide the solution to customers. We have one instance on-premises and two or three instances on the cloud. 

We definitely have benefited from using the solution. Normally, IT solutions come into environments to increase revenue, reduce cost, and streamline operations. 

In our case, we have fully streamlined all operations including the RFP process, taking control of efforts, and following up with teams. We have heterogeneous teams for APM for Oracle and SAP for Microsoft. 

It is nice to have a dashboard that combines all efforts, work progress, and results. We get very good value from the solution. 

The solution can efficiently translate from English to another language including Arabic using the XLIFF format. It only takes five minutes to translate the whole user interface.

The workflow engine should be embedded in the solution. It currently is not included and that creates some problems for us so inclusion would very dramatically reduce our challenges. 

I have been using the solution for six years. 

The solution is stable with no issues in six years. 

Frankly speaking, the solution is not as scalable as Appian. When the number of users or requests increases, we work with the VPS provider to increase resources for the virtual machine or the containers. This affects performance tuning from the VP SSL. 

We have a lab with proof of concept for many products including the solution, Mendix, Appian, Symantec, and more recently Power BI. 

Technology changes so we try to stay up to date. This is unrelated, but the Check Point antivirus solution changed names a couple of days ago and I didn't notice. Even with something minimal, I felt that my knowledge was not up to date. 

The setup takes about one week to fulfill the NTP. 

We implement the solution for customers. 

The solution is free with your Oracle license or database and that is a good value. I am able to learn the database and have the solution on top of it with no extra fees. 

We also use Appian depending on use case. When we get a client, we decide which product is better for them based on their use case. We don't have any use cases where we are using both products at the same time. 

For basic cases, we use the solution because it takes around one week to fulfill the NTP.

For rather complicated cases, we use Appian and it takes one to three weeks to reach the first NTP. 

I recommend the solution and rate it an eight out of ten.