Thomas Kurian, senior VP of development in Oracle's app server group, sees parallels between the evolution of the app server and the database.

Businesses wanting to upgrade to WebLogic Suite 11g from Oracle Application Server 10g can use the Fusion Middleware Upgrade Tool for Java EE.

At Oracle OpenWorld, the database software giant touts the application server aimed at midsize companies.

The other new tool in Oracle 11g is Application Express, a new database tool for building Web applications.

Application Server 10g and Java development tool add support for server standards, AJAX Web development.

Available in early 2006, Oracle Application Server 10g Release 3 is being classified by Oracle as a major update to its SOA platform.