Oracle boosts partner training

Business applications giant Oracle unveiled a slew of new partner offerings at its OpenWorld 200 partner conference in San Francisco.

Taking place last week, the event saw the launch of a new Oracle Partner Enablement 2.0 Programme which includes a new Boot Camp training strategy, enhancements to the Oracle Partner Network (OPN) Competency Centre, solution kits and updates to the vendor’s OPN portal.

Speaking to CRN Penny Philpot, vice president for OPN and partner development, alliances and channels of Oracle EMEA, said: “Oracle wanted to increase partner enablement by enhancing the training facilities available. The modular boot camp can be completed at a partner’s own pace without having to leave the office for days.

“Oracle’s partners are an extension of us, so all 12,000 EMEA partners need to be confident in their area.”

The new partner training strategy will be divided into three tiers. Tier one will be delivered by the Oracle University and includes Oracle’s Premium Education offering, instructor-led training and live web classes and an Oracle Certification Track.

Tier two training is delivered in person by third party delivery partners. Training will take place in each geographic region and will include Open Source Boot Camp content managed by Oracle Alliances and Channels, online Guided Learning Paths and assessments.

Tier three training is delivered by Oracle via Live Web Classes but includes identical content to tier two Boot Camps as well as Online Guided Learning Paths and assessments.

Boot Camps currently available are Siebel 8.1 Loyalty & Marketing, Siebel 8.1 Self Service, WebLogic Server/SOA, Enterprise Content Management/UCM, OBI/EE, Agile PLM, Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12 Best Practices and Enterprise Performance Management.

Enhancements to the vendor’s OPN Competency Centre include 250 role-based guided learning paths, 118 assessment tests and 45 Oracle University Certifications.
“The Centre’s guided learning paths allow partners to see which training and certifications they have undergone and where they can improve. There is a score card system to log partner success and an assessment to show areas that required more training,” added Philpot.

New Partner Solution Kits have been designed to provide channel-ready marketing materials for Oracle 1-CLICK Ordering products. Some of the offerings contained in the kits are value propositions, cheat sheets and sales pitches.

Philpot said the improvements are necessary for partners to have the knowledge and confidence needed to meet their customers’ needs.

Oracle’s OPN Portal has also been updated due to partner feedback. As well as a new home page other benefits include navigation, information centres and 2.0 feedback and social community elements.