Although most companies using products acquired by Oracle plan to keep running them as long as support is available, many also fear that Oracle will ultimately force them to migrate to Oracle-built software, according to a survey of 449 members of the Oracle Applications Users Group.
The survey found that 61% of PeopleSoft and Siebel users think that Oracle will eventually push them to Oracle-built technologies. Nonetheless, 55% of users of all Oracle products called the vendor's enterprise product road map "somewhat clear."
The Internet survey of OAUG members, conducted last October for the user group by Chatham, N.J.-based Unisphere Media, sought to clarify end users' attitudes about and plans for Oracle's Fusion middleware.
Oracle touts the Fusion technology as a way to link its software to the products it gained in recent years from companies it acquired, such as J.D. Edwards, Siebel Systems and PeopleSoft. Oracle has said it plans to release the first Fusion modules this year.
In the OAUG survey, 63% of the respondents who are using only Oracle-developed software said they plan to install Oracle Fusion middleware within two years. Meanwhile, among respondents who use products that Oracle acquired, only half said they're even interested in Fusion at this point.
In fact, respondents at one in four of the companies surveyed reported that they're not sure what value the middleware would add to their IT operations, while half said that lack of expertise would force them to avoid the technology.
Users also expressed fear that Oracle's US$8.5 billion acquisition of BEA Systems earlier this month will blunt work on updating applications, despite assurances from CEO Larry Ellison that the new technology will boost Fusion plans.
"There's always the question whether [the BEA acquisition] is going to dilute Oracle's attention from their existing products and services," said Robert Lepanto, president of the New York City Oracle Application User Group. "BEA was a major middleware company. Whether or not [the acquisition] limits choice is a real concern for users."
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Process Trip 04/02/2008 13:07:03
Why Maritz Travel revamped key business processes — and how business and IT came together to make it workWhen Rich Phillips became COO OF Maritz Travel about two and-a-half years ago, he sat down and took a hard look at the big industry picture - +
How to Get Real About Strategic Planning 04/02/2008 12:50:59
Everyone agrees that having a strategic plan for IT is a good thing but most CIOs approach the process with fear and loathing. In fact, the majority of CIOs (and the enterprises they work for) are faking it when it comes to strategic planning. Isn't it time we all got real?Oh, it must be nice to be the CIO of a FedEx or a GE or a Credit Suisse. Places where IT and the business are so tightly aligned you can barely tell the two apart. Where corporate leaders understand that IT is a strategic asset and support it as such - +
Ticked Off at Tick the Box Mentality 04/02/2008 13:01:15
Does your executive search firm know the difference between an MIS manager and a CIO, and if it does, can it explain that difference to its corporate clients?Does your executive search firm know its MIS managers from its elbow? Does it even know the difference between an MIS manager and a CIO, and if it does, can it explain that difference to its corporate clients?
Read up on the latest ideas and technologies from companies that sell hardware, software and services. Email Archiving 101—Customer Case Study
Making the Business Case for IT Consolidation
Delivering the Power of Choice with Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Refresh your AUP: Top tips to ensure your acceptable use policy is fit for purpose
IT Service Management Needs and Adoption Trends: An Analysis of a Global Survey of IT Executives
Controlling storage costs with Oracle database 11g
Mimosa™ NearPoint™ for Microsoft® Exchange Server: Email Archiving 101
Data grids and service-oriented architecture
Zones provide focussed content from Computerworld and leading technology partners.Discover how SOA can create smarter outcomes for your business.
Attend and learn:
- How SOA is helping leading companies to become more agile
- Where you should be applying SOA processes in your company
- The top SOA implementation mistakes to avoid
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Computerworld Live Podcast #97: The Future of Enterprise Networking 25/07/2008 09:45:36
This week CW Live chats with Mark Thompson, global sales and marketing manager for HP ProCurve, on the future of the enterprise networking. Mark discusses the trends we can expect to see in the near future and how the right infrastructure can ensure your enterprise network is secure. - +
Computerworld Live Podcast #96: Security at the Edge 11/06/2008 09:22:22
CW Live speaks with Amol Mitra, HP ProCurve Director of Marketing for Asia Pacific and Japan. Today's topic: how enterprises are starting to shift away from simply controlling security via server logins, firewalls and moving to more adaptive security frameworks. - +
Data Management Edition #10: Multi-Petascale Systems 02/05/2008 09:12:33
This week we look at sustainability and the development of multicore technologies to build multi-petascale systems. - +
IT Security Edition #11: How to poison the Storm botnet 01/05/2008 08:51:55
This week CW Live presents a case study on how to poison the notorious Storm botnet . Plus we take a look at Cisco's plans for Ironport. - +
IT Security Edition #10: Cyber-battles fought and won 24/04/2008 11:09:47
Vendors bow to end user pressure to improve product security, and we take a look at the latest concepts shaping the cyber-battlefield of the future.
AARNet Helps to Advance Indigenous Health 2008-12-02 12:44:00+11
Orbis selects Telstra International as its data centre partner for the UK, Europe and Middle East Region 2008-12-02 11:23:00+11
ComOps Deploys Corporate Performance Reporting Solution For Healthcare Test Manufacturer 2008-12-02 10:09:00+11
Mornington Peninsula Shire implements Objective to manage knowledge and deliver service excellence 2008-12-02 09:56:00+11
Virtual magic: HR specialist throws out 40 servers, adds 8TB SAN and saves $100,000 for disaster recovery 2008-12-01 15:28:00+11
Making the Business Case for IT Consolidation
IT executives face the need to improve service delivery with limited resource increases. Two common strategies for achieving this are network and systems management tools and datacenter consolidation. Read on to discover how you can make a strong business case for IT Consolidation.












