What's Happening?
NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, Inc., a leading global ICT solutions provider, has successfully migrated its critical internal Oracle-based database platform to Oracle Autonomous AI Database on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). This migration involved moving tens
of terabytes of data from their on-premises environment, resulting in a 43 percent reduction in database license costs. The company's shared database platform hosts 12 critical internal systems, including network management, security, and service operations, connected to approximately 400 servers. According to Akihiro Ito, senior vice president, Integrated Service Operations Division, NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS, Inc., the move has also significantly reduced day-to-day administrative work through automation of patching, backups, and routine maintenance. The migration aims to maintain the performance and security required by these critical systems while simultaneously reducing costs and simplifying database operations.
Why It's Important?
This migration by NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS to Oracle Autonomous AI Database on OCI demonstrates a significant trend in enterprise IT: the shift towards cloud-based, autonomous database solutions for critical infrastructure. For U.S. businesses, this case study highlights the potential for substantial cost savings and operational efficiencies by adopting similar cloud strategies. The 43 percent reduction in database license costs, coupled with reduced administrative overhead, can free up significant resources that can be reallocated to higher-value initiatives such as data utilization and business improvement. Furthermore, the implementation of a disaster recovery architecture across two Oracle Cloud regions in Japan underscores the enhanced business continuity and resilience that cloud platforms can offer, which is crucial for maintaining stable operations and recovering quickly from disruptions. This move also addresses the growing concern of AI-enabled cyberattacks by enabling faster responses to security vulnerabilities through automated processes.
What's Next?
NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS plans to further leverage Oracle Autonomous AI Database to securely derive greater value from its data and utilize emerging technologies, including AI, to improve operational efficiency and quality, and create new value. This indicates a continued investment in cloud-native AI capabilities to drive future business innovation. Other enterprises, particularly those with large, complex on-premises Oracle database environments, may look to this successful migration as a blueprint for their own cloud adoption strategies. The trend towards autonomous databases, which automate routine maintenance and security tasks, is likely to accelerate as businesses seek to reduce operational costs and enhance security posture. Oracle, in turn, will likely use this success story to attract more customers to its Autonomous AI Database and OCI offerings, emphasizing the cost savings and operational benefits demonstrated by NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS.
Beyond the Headlines
The migration of NTT DOCOMO BUSINESS to an autonomous AI database reflects a broader industry shift towards intelligent, self-managing IT infrastructure. This move is not just about cost reduction but also about enabling a more agile and secure operational environment. By automating routine tasks, IT teams can pivot from maintenance to strategic initiatives, fostering innovation and competitive advantage. The emphasis on leveraging AI for data utilization and business improvement points to the transformative potential of integrating AI directly into core database functionalities. This also raises questions about the future of traditional database administration roles, as autonomous systems take over more responsibilities. Furthermore, the enhanced disaster recovery capabilities across multiple cloud regions highlight the increasing importance of resilience in an era of escalating cyber threats and potential disruptions, pushing businesses to adopt more robust and geographically distributed IT architectures.
