DISASTER RECOVERY FOR ORACLE SE
Get Data-Guard-like functionality on Standard Edition & Save up to 80%
Getting enterprise Disaster Recovery for Oracle doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. You can get Data Guard-like functionality without the associated cost. Dbvisit Standby MultiPlatform (StandbyMP) uses physical replication technology to create standby databases that are continuously updated, verified and available for failover at any time. This provides you and your team with a simple-to-deploy, cost-effective, yet powerful Data Guard alternative for Oracle SE.


Right size your Oracle spend with Oracle SE and StandbyMP and save 80% in licensing costs!
Most organisations realise that Oracle SE represents a significant cost saving over EE. But what's new to most people is that Oracle SE can meet the needs of many production databases!
For example, you minimize the lack of Oracle EE's Data Guard functionality with our StandbyMP Disaster Recovery solution for Oracle Standard Edition (SE).
Many databases do not need the full performance of Oracle Enterprise Edition. In this case, leveraging Oracle SE with StandbyMP for Disaster Recovery is a great alternative and will save you:
- USD 186,600 in the first year
- USD 380,000 (80%) per database over five years

Enterprise Edition Vs Standard Edition
Which version is right for you?
Using Oracle Standard Edition with StandbyMP is a solid, cost-effective approach for customers whose workloads and high availability requirements align with the capabilities of Standard Edition. It provides reliable disaster recovery and simplified failover, making it a great fit for many small to mid-sized environments. However, depending on the specific features your business needs—such as advanced security, performance tuning, or more granular replication controls—you may require Oracle Enterprise Edition.
The table below outlines key differences to help determine the best fit for your environment.
Feature |
Oracle SE (Standard Edition) |
Oracle EE (Enterprise Edition) |
Consideration |
Licensing Cost |
Lower cost: Aimed at smaller businesses with lower licensing per processor/named user. | Higher cost: For complex enterprise workloads with full licensing flexibility. | Save up USD 380,000 per database over five years on SE |
Processor Restrictions |
Limited to 2 CPU Sockets per server (SE2); restricts scalability for resource-intensive apps. | No processor restrictions; scales for enterprise workloads. |
In real-world applications, SE compute limits satisfy most workloads. Only extremely demanding applications require EE |
Clustering (HA) |
Standard Edition High Availability (SE2HA) in an active-passive setup. | RAC active-active cluster. | |
Disaster Recovery (DR) |
Dbvisit StandbyMP warm standby database with zero-data-loss switchover and fast failovers. | Comprehensive DR: Data Guard, Active Data Guard (option). | StandbyMP and Data Guard have similar functionality. |
Scalability
|
Limited scalability: Supports up to 2 CPUs per server/socket. | Full scalability: No hardware restrictions, supports clustering. | Most of works loads should be viable with the resources available with SE |
Backup & Recovery |
RMAN: No Flashback or Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR). | RMAN, Flashback, and PITR | Feature for advanced users, and requires robust knowledge to maximise benefits |
Performance Tuning
|
Limited - No Advanced Compression, or Partitioning | Includes Compression, Partitioning, In-Memory, AWR, ADDM, ASH. | Advanced users and need robust knowledge to maximise the benefit |
Security
|
Basic: SSL encryption, user authentication, no TDE or Advanced Security Option. | Advanced: TDE, Advanced Security, Database Vault, Label Security. | Requires additional ASO license |
Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC)
|
Not supported: No clustering or active-active support. | Fully supported: Enables HA, load balancing, and horizontal scalability. | Use case dependent. Not a feature that may require organisations |
Partitioning |
Not available | Partitioning Option Available for partitioning of large datasets. | Partitioning is an added feature and in most cases, it's not a deal breaker... Unless you hold historical data and access data-specific ranges frequently and others you don’t |
Replication & Data Guard---> Remove mentioned under DR |
Limited: Basic physical standby only. No Active Data Guard. | Full support: Physical, logical, and Active Data Guard replication. | StandbMP offers a viable alternative to Data Guard on SE |
Active Data Guard
---> REmove menitoned under DR |
Not available: No read-only standby access or enhanced failover. | Fully supported: Read-only standby, DR, reporting with zero impact. | Use case dependent. Added advantage in EE but needs additional licensing, which is expensive |
Flashback Technologies---> Remove mentioned under dR? |
Not available: Cannot view or restore past database states. | Fully supported: Flashback Query, Table, Database, Drop, etc. | Usefull feature but not critical - you should evaluate cost/benefit. StanbyMP Intelligent Activate provides partial functionality. |
In-Memory Option |
Not available: No in-memory analytics support. | Available: Enables real-time analytics from memory. | Use case dependent but not used by most users. |
Logical Replication
|
Third party options available for real-time logical replication such as Shareplex | GoldenGate Option for Real-time, cross-platform replication and sync. | Logical replication is complex to configure and maintain. |
Auditing and Compliance---> Remove |
Basic auditing: Fewer options for compliance and control. | Advanced auditing: FGA, Database Vault, compliance-ready features. | Basic auditing works for most cases |
Best Suited For----> Remove |
SMBs or dev/test needing cost-effective DB + basic DR via StandbyMP. | Enterprises with mission-critical workloads, HA/DR needs, and compliance. |
SAVE WITH STANDBYMP
Get Oracle Data Guard-like functionality without the cost
TRUSTED
Effortlessly protect your mission-critical data
A warm standby database created and managed by StandbyMP provides resilient protection against all disaster types.
- Continuous standby verification ensures you're always protected.
- Simplified DR Testing with integrated one-click DR Tests.
- Zero data-loss Graceful Switchovers facilitate patching.
- Failover to specific “safe” activation points with 'Intelligent Activate' and 'Log application delay'.
- Geographic separation using out-of-region standby databases eliminates localised disaster risk.
- System pre-checks and real-time monitoring proactively reduce risk.
StandbyMP makes it easy to deploy in any environment and provides:
Designed by DBAs for DBAs, StandbyMP makes it easy to deploy in any environment and offers industry-leading 24/7 support.
- Full Oracle support from 10g onwards, RAC, ASM and OMF, as well as ODA certified.
- Flexible deployment options, whether on-premise, in the cloud, or hybrid.
- No OS changes are required.
- Option for full implementation by one of our DBAs.
SIMPLIFY
Simplify workflows with intuitive and easy operation
StandbyMP for Oracle offers efficient and automated standby database creation. Using either the GUI or CLI operation, StandbyMP simplifies actions and allows you to manage everyday Disaster Recovery tasks all from a single panel.
- Centralized UI (GUI & CLI) to create, view, manage, and activate all your standby databases.
- Guided workflows save time and eliminate error, enabling operation by more junior IT members.
- Low overhead through automation of administration tasks.
- Smart notifications are delivered in real-time and are viewable by mail, browser, or Slack.
EASE OF USE
Remove stress with fast recovery and minimal data loss
In the event of a disaster, you can rely on StandbyMP to failover at any time across any disaster. StandbyMP ensures fast recovery and minimal data loss reducing stress and the time required to get back up and running.
- Automated failover or assisted failover after issue detection by real-time monitoring.
- Minimal data loss (RPO) of typically 5 minutes for Oracle SE, 3 minutes for SQL Server, and 2 minutes for PostgreSQL (user configurable).
- Fast recovery (RTO) in just a couple of minutes.
DEPENDABLE
Zero data loss switchover - Facilitate server patching and maintenance
A key function to assist in the planned maintenance of your production servers. Effortlessly switch to your standby with zero data loss, run applications from DR infrastructure to satisfy compliance and audit requirements, or conduct DR testing.
- Failover Assistant enables automated or guided failover after near-instantaneous issue detection.
- One-click resynchronization of the standby database prevents complex manual processes or a rebuild of the standby database.
- Zero-data-loss switchovers through orchestration of planned switchovers by StandbyMP.
SAVE WITH STANDBYMP
StandbyMP vs Data Guard.
Feature set comparison.
STANDBYMP VS DATA GUARD
StandbyMP and Oracle SE
Built-in Log Shipping lacks the features modern DBAs expect, and can be challenging to maintain and troubleshoot. Get Enterprise-class DR with all the functionality of Enterprise AGs without the complexity or cost.
- Faster, more efficient creation: Create standby databases across multiple instances in just a few clicks.
- Improved functionality: Built-in pre-checks detect issues before configuration creation, not after, saving time and your patience!
- Simplify Maintenance Tasks: Switch to Read Only mode in a single click, or facilitate patching and DR Tests with zero-data-loss graceful switchovers.
- Automate Failover: A fully-featured Observer utility that can automate failover, and run specific scripts after failover.
- Enhanced Usability: Streamlined and repeatable, StandyMP ensures any member of the team can initiate a failover as required while following best practice.

Based on my experience, I highly recommend Dbvisit StandbyMP for all Oracle clients, even on Enterprise Edition. Installation and configuration are much easier for me than Data Guard. Implementing and installing StandbyMP is very straightforward, and their documentation and user guide are first-class.
Abdul Rahman
Lead DBA, JurisTech
How StandbyMP Works
Physical Replication ensures your standby is kept reliably up-to-date
A simple implementation consists of one primary database and one standby database. Physical replication technology prioritizes data integrity and solution resilience whether on-premises, in the cloud, or a hybrid setup.
- Creation: An intelligent process efficiently creates one or more standby databases.
- Synchronization: StandbyMP synchronizes the databases by compressing, sending, and applying archive logs to the standby(s). Frequency of log transmission is configurable to meet your RPO objectives.
- Monitoring: Real-time monitoring identifies exceptions and sends alert notifications.
- Failover: Failover can be initiated automatically or with a single click. Database failover completes within a few minutes.


View the Feature Sheet
Discover StandbyMP's Gold Standard DR features
- One-click Graceful Switchovers
- Cascading standby support
- Automatic (or guided) Failover
- Reporting from standby
- Real-time monitoring & smart notifications
What is DBVisit Standby MP?
Powerful features deliver best practice Disaster Recovery
Automated Failover
The failover assistant enables one-click failover, triggered manually or automatically.
Great RPO & RTO
Recover from any event in just a few minutes, with a maximum 5 minutes data loss.
Graceful Switchovers
Zero data loss planned switchovers enable easy migrations and testing.
Cloud Ready
Easy to configure on-premise, in hybrid or cloud environments. Supported in Azure, AWS and Oracle Cloud.
Smart Notifications
Realtime monitoring with heartbeat notifications, status alerts, and log gap reports.
One-click Resynchronization
Automated resynchronization removes the risk of being unprotected as a manual rebuild is performed.
Key product information
Discover key product information on Dbvisit StandbyMP
Truly Satisfied Customers
Dbvisit was founded by DBAs for DBAs. We have walked the same path as you. Stability, reliability and support are at the heart of our product development. With 96% customer satisfaction and a 95% retention rate, we are proud to deliver gold-standard Disaster Recovery worldwide.
NEXT STEPS
Ready to get started?
We are DR Specialists. Delivering DBAs a great customer experience. Our software is reliable, intuitive, and supported by real DBAs.
Popular Topics
Frequently asked questions
Pricing is per database with a minimum configuration of one primary database, one secondary database and one year of support.
Perpetual licenses and Term licenses are available:
Perpetual licenses - Purchaser owns and retains the license permanently. Support is an additional cost and support renewal is required each year.
Term licenses - Purchased for a predefined period (1, 2 or 3 years) and can be extended at any time during the term. Support is included in the price. The flexibility of Term licenses makes them beneficial for computing environments that may change over the next few years or for limited life projects.
Yes, Standby works in private and public clouds including Oracle, AWS and Azure. Learn more on our DR in the Cloud page.
StandbyMP is certified and optimized for Oracle Database Appliance. Learn more about using Standby for ODA.
StandbyMP, like Oracle Data Guard, uses physical database replication to achieve an exact copy of the production database.
Disaster Recovery is a strategy. Backups are one part of a Disaster Recovery strategy. Learn more in our Disaster Recovery vs Backups article.
Oracle Databases:
- 10.2.05 to 19c (64 bit)
Oracle Editions:
- Enterprise
- Standard One and Two (including RAC)
- Oracle XE
Storage:
- ASM & Filesystem
Operating Systems:
- Unix: AIX; Solaris (x64_64 and SPARC)
- Windows 2003 ~ 2016
- Linux on Intel and AMD