After getting an unexpected boost from the database migration of GSIS late last year, Oracle is still raring to expand its dominance in the local database market. In fact, it recently introduced in the country its Oracle Database 11g Release 2, the latest version of its flagship product.

However, after acquiring a host of software companies in the last few years, the US-based tech giant is also now eager to engage well-entrenched competitors in the “middleware” space, which covers an array of applications such as human capital management (HCM).

Oracle Philippines, which is currently being temporarily headed by Mina Lim after the recent departure of its managing director Ryan Guadalquiver, has flown a number of its executives to brief the local IT press on its middleware offerings.

One of the early visitors was Tim Darton, general manager for HCM Solutions for Oracle Asia Pacific, who discussed the company’s latest release of PeopleSoft Enterprise, which includes PeopleSoft Enterprise HCM.

According to Darton, Oracle’s PeopleSoft Enterprise 9.1 is one of the most comprehensive releases in PeopleSoft’s history. The software offering is comprised of 21 new solutions, 1,350 new features, more than 28,000 pages enhanced with Web 2.0 capabilities, and 300 Web services.

Also coming over was Asean regional official Chin Yin Loong, who made a pitch for Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g, the company’s latest solution stack that covers enterprise performance management, business intelligence, and content management, among others.

The middleware suite, which will be rolled out in phases starting June 20, also integrates the functionalities of BEA Systems, which Oracle had acquired. But as early as now, it already counts Metrobank and the Bureau of Customs as some of its local clients.

According to Chin, the company’s new offering is an “open, integrated, and best-of-breed middleware suite” that can work with a customer’s existing software infrastructure.

Along with the software products, Oracle also unveiled an initiative for midsize organizations through a new portal for its Accelerate Program. Oracle executive Rajeepan Raguneethan presided in a media roundtable to announce the new capabilities that include financing options and deployment methods.

The Oracle Accelerate Program, which aims to deliver enterprise-class software to SMEs, also has CRM On Demand, the company’s cloud computing offering.