Google Spanner Pressures Oracle

Google Spanner offers great scalability with consistency over distance. Spanner is different from traditional databases like Oracle, and cannot offer the same levels of availability. However, Spanner can address many new problems in the rapidly growing probabilistic application space. 

Converting existing database systems to Google Spanner just to save money should be strongly avoided. The business risks are very high, especially as the architecture is different. Applying resources towards new digital transformation almost always results in better business returns.

Senior IT executives should invest in understanding Google Spanner, understanding where it fits, and trying it out on new projects. Senior executives should discuss Google’s planned investments into Spanner with senior Google executives.