Ceres Becomes Oracle PartnerNetwork Gold Level Partner

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Feb. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Ceres, Inc. today announced that it has achieved Gold Partner status in Oracle PartnerNetwork. In attaining Gold Level membership, Ceres has been recognized by Oracle for its commitment to establish Oracle-related knowledge in delivering Ceres' Persephone genome visualization software and for uniquely addressing the challenges of joint customers.

Originally developed for in-house use by Ceres, the Persephone application allows researchers to rapidly zoom in and out of massive amounts of genetic data, from a chromosome level to a single building block of DNA. On top of this data, users can layer and cross reference related information in much the same way geographic mapping services allow users to add weather information or business locations to a geographic map.

While speed is taken for granted across most software markets, the genetics market has struggled with massive datasets generated by DNA sequencing and genetic testing. To help solve the speed problem, and expand the way researchers can explore and mine genetic data, Persephone software engineers have developed a number of innovative data storage and compression methods that can enable rapid visualization of large amounts of genomics data by experts and non-experts alike.

Tim Swaller, Ceres Vice President of Genomics, said that becoming a Gold Level member of Oracle PartnerNetwork enables the company to leverage its knowledge in genomics alongside the performance and reliability of the Oracle platform, which handles large datasets through efficient memory management and a solid software architecture.

"Low cost DNA sequencing, from plant science to biomedical research, is creating large datasets that are rich sources for innovation if mined effectively," said Swaller. "By combining data management solutions and other optimizations in our Persephone software with a trusted database technology like Oracle, we can help provide researchers with a high-performance environment to securely store, visualize and explore integrated genomics datasets in ways not possible or practical before."

Ceres currently offers Persephone as a custom installation as well as a Software as a Service (SaaS) model that is intended to provide individual researchers with a tool to visualize and compare genetic information stored in public databases. Persephone can be used with a number of life science technology platforms that utilize genetic and genomic data.

Oracle noted that as a Gold Level partner Ceres receives the benefit of being able to start developing specializations that will allow Ceres to grow its business, increase its expertise, reach higher levels of customer retention, and create differentiation in the marketplace. Gold members also become eligible to resell all Oracle Technology products and can apply to resell Oracle Applications and Industry Solutions. In addition, they receive access to Oracle account representatives and My Oracle Support updates for all products, discounts on training, limited free assessment/exam vouchers, reduced rates on the purchase of Oracle licenses for internal use, discounts on advances, customer services and more. For more information about the benefits of becoming an OPN Gold level partner, please visit: http://www.oracle.com/us/partnerships/index.htm

About Persephone
Persephone is a genome visualization application marketed by Ceres, Inc. The software allows researchers to explore DNA databases in much the same way online mapping programs allow users to explore geographic regions and places. Driven by dramatically lower costs, DNA sequencing is one of the most commonly used technologies in biological and medical research laboratories. Persephone has been designed to better curate and more fully utilize what has become an overload of data by enabling the rapid and easy visualization of large amounts of genomics data by experts and non-experts alike. The software features a number of optimizations to quickly fetch and render very large datasets. Persephone can display diverse data such as genetic maps, genomic sequences, gene models, synteny, QTLs, SNPs, RNA-Seq, and gene expression, among others. Persephone is a trademark of Ceres, Inc.

About Ceres
Ceres, Inc. is an agricultural biotechnology company that develops and markets seeds to produce crops for bioenergy and other markets that utilize plant biomass. The company combines advanced plant breeding and biotechnology to develop hybrids that can address the limitations of first-generation bioenergy feedstocks. These technology platforms, which can increase crop productivity, improve quality, reduce crop inputs and improve cultivation on marginal land, have broad application across multiple crops, including food, feed, fiber and fuel crops.

About Oracle PartnerNetwork
Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) Specialized is the latest version of Oracle's partner program that provides partners with tools to better develop, sell and implement Oracle solutions. OPN Specialized offers resources to train and support specialized knowledge of Oracle products and solutions and has evolved to recognize Oracle's growing product portfolio, partner base and business opportunity. Key to the latest enhancements to OPN is the ability for partners to differentiate through Specializations. Specializations are achieved through competency development, business results, expertise and proven success. To find out more visit http://www.oracle.com/partners.

Trademarks
Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Ceres Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding Ceres' efforts to develop and commercialize its products, anticipated yields and product performance, status of crop plantings, short-term and long-term business strategies, market and industry expectations, future operating metrics, and future results of operations and financial position, including anticipated cost savings from the company's plan to align expenditures and projected cash expenditures, are forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond Ceres' control. Factors that could materially affect actual results can be found in Ceres' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Ceres undertakes no obligation to update publicly, except to the extent required by law, any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date the company issues this press release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in the company's expectations.

SOURCE Ceres, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.ceres.net