In a gibe at arch-rival SAP, Oracle is claiming that companies are gaining the flexibility and integration that enables them to adapt to changing business conditions faster and cheaper by choosing its business applications instead of SAP’s.
The software colossus cites a spread of global blue chips – including Beijing Pharmaceutical Group, Core Laboratories, Deutsche Bahn, Hindustan Copper, Luigi Lavazza, Metrorex, NATCO Group, Praxair, Rodenstock and the US Department of Defense – which, it says have specifically invested in Oracle instead of SAP.
“Globalisation is driving executives to focus on efficient innovation, rapid new product introduction, and better customer management,” insists Oracle senior vice president, applications development, Ed Abbo. “To meet these challenges, they require solutions that quickly adapt to changing market conditions.”
And ramming home the point, he adds: “Oracle Applications are built on Oracle’s standards-based Fusion Middleware and leverage a service-oriented architecture to provide the flexibility that companies need. In today’s global environment, the native flexibility within Oracle Applications, compared to SAP’s inherent rigidity, creates a unique selling advantage for us.”
SAP, meanwhile counters that precisely the same economic drivers are convincing users – particularly manufacturing SMEs – to choose its systems.
Hans-Peter Klaey, president, SME, SAP, says: “Our growing customer and partner numbers clearly show that we have the right strategy of supporting small businesses and midsize companies around the world, regardless of their business models or industry, in their quest for success and growth.”
The truth appears to be that both ERP-plus giants are seeing significant uptake as more businesses’ systems reach their end of life, and executives understand the value of more modern systems in the comfort zone of big brands and experience.
|