Oracle unwraps new applications

The database vendor claims it has stuck to its pledge of developing new versions of products acquired through acquisition

Software giant Oracle has unveiled new versions of its five major product lines.

As well as announcing the introduction of Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12, the vendor has unwrapped post-merger applications in its PeopleSoft, Siebel and JD Edwards lines.

Charles Courquin, head of applications in the UK for Oracle, last night described the launch as the “proof point” of Oracle’s pledge to continue developing each acquired product line.

“When we first made these acquisitions and announced a roadmap saying we would do this, there was lots of scepticism in the market,” he told CRN. “Today, we’ve come out with the next major release for each of the five products and standardised them around our middleware.

“Whichever product line customers are on, each has a general manager and a development team.”

Ken Phillips, sales director at Oracle and PeopleSoft VAR Compel, said: “This hands us a great opportunity to give clients a huge amount of added functionality.”

He highlighted E-Business 12’s ability to consolidate financials across the business as one key improvement.

Oracle claimed to have between 80 and 90 certified resellers of its applications in the UK, with between 30 and 35 achieving top Certified Advantage status.

Courquin said he was looking to “significantly ramp up” that number following the multiple product launch, particularly in the SME space, but declined to divulge more detailed plans.

Oracle President Charles Phillips, said in a statement: “Today is an important day, as we release five significantly enhanced product families. These releases are proof that Oracle is delivering on its strategy to protect and extend customers’ current investments in Oracle’s leading horizontal, specialty and industry suites.”