ORACLE’S IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCCESSFUL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS IN TODAY’S BUSINESS

Overview

The Oracle Corporation is a software programming company that expands, produces, advertises, allocates and examines database software and infrastructure software (Reuters, 2005).

This paper will investigate the requirement for knowledge management implementation to be successful. Next, the paper will discuss the specifications and elements necessary for a productive knowledge management system. Moreover, a comparison of architectural details between Oracle, Business Objects S.A. incorporated, and Humming bird Ltd will be evaluated. Lastly, this paper will conclude with an explanation of measures to create an effective knowledge management system (KMS).

Discussion
Company Background
Software. The Oracle Corporation consists of two business and five operating divisions, software systems and service business (Reuters, 2005). The software business is comprised of two operating systems, which include new software licenses and product support. The service business includes consulting, advanced product services and education. The software portion of the business focuses on Internet architecture, database servers, application servers and client computers. The architectural system allows end users access to data and applications. The program also allows management from various locations. The products that represent Oracle’s architectural design have the ability to eradicate fragmentation, while amalgamating various applications.

Oracles database serves as a tools for creating and outputting systems via the Internet (Reuters, 2005). The database facilitates the storage, operation and recovery of relational, object-relational, dimensional and other forms of data through rapid development. Another tool of Oracle includes the application server. The application server allows web designers easy access to generate and position Internet services, gateways and applications. The company also has a collaboration suite, which manages office automation systems. The systems include management of email, voicemail, facsimiles, calendars, file sharing, search, customer data hubs and workflow (Reuters, 2005).

In addition, Oracle offers E-business suites to support its products. The architecture software for Oracle includes financials, tasks, advertising, transactions, order management, procurement, manufacturing, service and human resources, which provide business intelligence to KMS (Reuters, 2005). Software license updates also serve as an important role to customers to ensure technical support and maintenance are provided.

Service. The Oracle service business provides consulting, advanced product services and education. Oracles consulting practice achieves customer satisfaction by providing information technology to its customers (Reuters, 2005). Information technology is offered through advanced product services, such as Oracle On Demand. Oracle On Demand presents three customer services to include E-Business On Demand, Technology On Demand and Collaboration Suite On Demand. These systems allow the customer the ability to manage applications and databases in various locations. Educating Oracle employees, customers, and partners serves as a valuable commodity for the company. Oracle established a University to train students in a public or private environment to equip professionals in the 21st century.

Tactics and strategies
Financials. Over the last six months, the Oracle Corporation successfully integrated with PeopleSoft (Forbes, 2005). The financial forecast for company is off to a good start with the merge of PeopleSoft. The company’s earnings-per-share forecast rose from 61 cents to 69 cents on the dollar, and is expected to incline through 2006. Oracle will compete with another business software giant, SAP (Beyers, 2005). Oracle plans to redirect and change guidance through the merger with PeopleSoft. The company is expecting sales to reach $14.1 billion, with a $4.3 billion in new license revenue. The company is forecasting to gain a 7% increase in new software licenses.

KM Strategy
Plan. In order for the Oracle Corporation to implement a successful knowledge management plan with PeopleSoft, the two companies must learn how to work together (Kerstetter & Lacy, 2005). The company must come up with a plan to support and merge the product lines. Since the merge, Oracle will plan to lay off 5,000 people in various departments, retaining 90% of PeopleSofts engineers. The company will have to steer clear from making two different companies. The company will need to merge both of the corporations for a successful strategy. Oracle is best known for its aggressive software programming behavior, while PeopleSoft will add a softer touch to its customers.

Merge. Currently, “the company will make no effort to nudge PeopleSoft customers toward other Oracle products, such as its databases and middleware software that helps big companies use their business systems over the Internet” (Kerstetter & Lacy, 2005, p.3). Most of the corporations choose to run their business while using other programs such as IBM. Oracle understands it cannot control this procedure; however, it will provide the customer with a choice. The customer will have the option to buy the companies product lines. The new computer programming system will include standards that support Java and hypertext markup language (HTML) (Kerstetter & Lacy, 2005). This new software system will provide users with rapid and simple connections versus the older complicated standard programs.

Oracle plans to streamline operations, which are expected to reduce costs, and drive growth by adding to its advanced business support system (Convergys, 2005). Oracle will provide support to the United Kingdoms mobile service Genesis Communications. According to Convergys Corporation, “ the solution enables Genesis Communications a solution to automate key processes such as order management and fulfillment, delivers sophisticated rating and billing, provides a single customer view across all accounts, and supports a multi-language/currency operation” (Convergys, 2005, p.1). By streamlining its processes, the company will focus on its customers, adding value to its services, while increasing KM for a competitive advantage. In addition, the strategic plan will transform office procedures while enhancing sales, marketing plans and providing satisfaction to customers.

KM Systems
Competition. Business Objects S.A. is technology software and programming corporation that focuses on intelligence systems (Reuters, 2005). This company has the ability to market and distribute software among organizations. The system equips professionals with the resources to track and manage performance. Some of the key products include, “data integration, query, reporting, online analytical processing, information broadcasting, business alerts, analytical application frameworks and pre-packaged analytic applications” (Reuters, 2005, p. 1). Additionally, its products also include administration tools that permit information knowledge experts to set up and organize it systems across a venture.

Intelligence. Business Objects S.A. uses business intelligence platforms into its applications and data integrations (Reuters, 2005). Some of the products used include crystal reports and crystal enterprise. The purpose of these systems is to provide optimal organization and performance for the systems. The data integration tool helps accelerate business intelligence deployments and other systems for faster processes. The company excels in performance through launching a new product named Business Objects Knowledge Accelerator XI (Business Objects, 2005). The purpose of this program is to provide a web-based product that is relevant, convenient and cost effective to the user. The knowledge program allows geographically separated users the advantage of gaining access to the organizations data. The program is also user friendly; since it helps, users learn at their own pace. According to Business Objects, “southwest airlines plans to broaden business intelligence implementation with the new system” (Business Objects, 2005). With the use of the new technology, the airline company will make important decisions vital to the competitive industry, while focusing on corporate performance.

Furthermore, Business Objects S.A. and Open pages will collaborate to offer an advanced operational risk management program (Open pages, 2005). The system will add knowledge while bringing intelligence to corporate management, providing insight into state policies. The new system Business Objects XI will help companies reach far beyond historical data. The system will provide analytical applications, queries and other specialized end-user tools. “The combination of Business Objects XI and Open pages solutions provides the capabilities for organizations to more easily monitor governance, risk, and compliance processes throughout the enterprise” (Open pages, 2005, p.1). Additionally, the system provides customized training platforms, convenient and cost effective desktop delivery.

Business Objects S.A. competes with Oracle in the services department. Business Objects S.A. offers customer support in three forms: standard, elite and premium. The services offered meet the needs of the customer. The company also places a high priority on customer satisfaction. Business Objects will “support customers throughout the lifecycle of their products and ensuring they are successful with their business intelligence implementations” (Business Objects, 2005). The company also offers education and training programs to customers and consultants (Reuters, 2005). However, the company does not offer an extensive university program like Oracle.

Hummingbird Ltd. is a software programming Technology Company that uses intelligence, data integration, document and knowledge management and collaboration software (Reuters, 2005). The company uses a platform that enables PC users the ability to organize knowledge assets. Hummingbird been named as one of the 100 companies that matter in knowledge management (Hummingbird, 2005). Hummingbird Ltd. provides a repository for multimedia, electronic records, e-mail, and web content in a flexible environment. Moreover, the corporation includes management features that allow users the ability to manage and classify content.

Hummingbird Ltd. knowledge management strategy is based on enterprise advancement (Hummingbird, 2005). The prestigious company will team up will Stikeman Elliott and ii3 to develop a stronger knowledge management team. The company will offer users a “single point of access to the firm’s knowledge” (Hummingbird, 2005). The knowledge management solution for the ii3 system will use advanced knowledge management. The systems used will include advanced searches, and knowledge retrieval. The system will further ensure flexible conditions are met through support, openness, knowledge and information, while sustaining vertical markets. The vertical markets include federal, state, local governments and energy, utilities and legal services.

Measures of effectiveness
The Oracle Corporation, Business Object S.A. and Humming bird Ltd corporation primary business focuses on software and programming. The measure of effectives for these companies is to provide knowledge management, financial gain and a competitive advantage (Reuters, 2005). All of the companies discussed are competing within the technology industry. The effective measures that support each company include customer satisfaction, knowledge know how, service, growth, industry rankings, revenues, education and training. Growth within the technology industry will increase as the field represents 79%, 76% and 73% of all revenues today (Reuters Business report, 2005).

Rankings. Industry rankings within a corporation measure the effectives for KM systems. For instance, Hummingbird Ltd. gained recognition being named one of the most 100 successful companies that matter in knowledge management in 2005. The company has held this prestigious rank for the last five years (Hummingbird, 2005). Knowledge management matters in a company for several reasons. Knowledge management systems are unique since they usually bring a tool that no other company has. Oracle also holds a high rank, as the world’s leading and largest software company (Convergys, 2005). Whereas Business Objects, S.A. is known as the world’s leading business intelligence software company (Business Objects, 2005). All of the companies named above are fortune 500 companies. In the business world success, rankings, and recognition are vital. Moreover, companies tend to compete in a variety of areas. Other effective measures include business intelligence and knowledge of systems.

Conclusion
Opinion. Oracle’s strategies will prove beneficial by staying ahead of competition within the knowledge area. Hummingbird Ltd. has gained the perception of the importance of knowledge management to stay ahead. Oracle has become the world’s largest software company over Hummingbird Ltd and Business Objects S.A. The company will need to out know the other competitors. The software and programming industry is a competitive technology field. The company continues as a renowned leader by offering exceptional software and services to the consumer. The company also gained a competitive advantage by merging with PeopleSoft. The merge of the two companies created a successful plan for managing knowledge. Overall companies such as Oracle, Hummingbird Ltd, and Business Objects S.A find continual success through knowledge and intelligence implementation.

References

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Business Objects. (2005, January 18). Southwest airlines plans to broaden business intelligence
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