NZX first in NZ to float on Oracle Datababase 10g

NZX first in New Zealand to float on Oracle Database 10g

Wellington, July 2004 –

New Zealand Exchange Limited (NZX,) operator of New Zealand's only registered securities exchange, is consolidating 21 operational databases into a single source of data, powered by Oracle Database 10g running Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

The new version of Oracle's market-leading database was chosen for its solid reliability and stability, with NZX the first New Zealand company to implement the latest version. Information consolidation will increase service levels by allowing queries to be answered faster and aid NZX decision-making in identifying new service opportunities. Other benefits from the move to Oracle Database 10g on Red Hat Enterprise Linux include more-efficient IT resource allocation and reduced operational costs.

The speed enhancements gained through the move to Oracle Database 10g on Red Hat Enterprise Linux are substantial, with one key query now running 600 times faster. NZX's HIST application connects to NZX's trading system and stores all the data on historical trades. NZX Advisors often query the 1.8 gigabytes database to identify maximum trade values. Today this query is completed in 0.03 seconds, rather than 36 seconds.

"A real-time business like NZX needs instant answers and Oracle Database 10g on Red Hat Enterprise Linux delivers just that," said Chris Corke, chief information officer, NZX. "As a commercially innovative organisation, it is crucial that we continue to identify the best tools to meet our needs. A single source of data is a significant component in helping us achieve this, as well as meet internal and external performance targets."

"I'm pleased that an organisation as progressive as NZX is the first in New Zealand to move to Oracle Database 10g," said Robert Gosling, country manager, Oracle New Zealand. "The project at NZX is a great case study for the power of the total Oracle offering - market-defining products backed by experts in the Oracle Services organisation, who worked intimately with NZX to make migration painless. For companies with large database workloads, Oracle Database 10g and Oracle Real Application Clusters are a strong proposition and will be the foundation for a grid infrastructure."

The project started in November 2003, with the strategic objective to build an information architecture that could grow and adapt with the constantly-changing commercial environment that NZX operates in. Oracle Services has already helped NZX complete the first phase, upgrading its Oracle8i Database. The next phase will require the consolidation of information from 20 third-party databases, while stage three will include the addition of customer relationship management (CRM) tools.

In the near future, NZX hopes to use the in-built Grid Computing features of Oracle Database 10g to gain even greater price, performance and flexibility benefits.

About the New Zealand Exchange Limited (NZX) NZX (NZSX: NZX) operates New Zealand's sole registered exchange. Utilising its proprietary FASTER technology, NZX facilitates fully electronic trading, clearing and settlements across its three principal markets, the NZSX ? Stock Market, the NZDX ? Debt Market, and the NZAX ? Alternative Market. In addition, NZX offers a comprehensive suite of data products, indices and funds, and is responsible for the ongoing surveillance and regulation of New Zealand's securities markets.

By providing a ready market for capital raising and business growth, NZX is at the forefront of business in New Zealand. At both the Board and management levels, NZX is committed to developing and ensuring the integrity and international competitiveness of New Zealand's capital markets. NZX demutualised in October 2002 and became a publicly listed company on 4 June 2003. For more information, visit www.nzx.com.

About Oracle Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) is the world's largest enterprise software company. For more information about Oracle, visit our Web site at www.oracle.com

ENDS

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