Intelligent Enterprise

Ventana QuickTake™

As a step toward addressing the challenges it faces absorbing and integrating its recent acquisitions, Oracle has announced its new vision for business intelligence (BI). The recently acquired Siebel Business Analytics will be the technology foundation for its future BI offering. The initial phase of integration between the existing Oracle Discoverer and the Siebel Analytic Server products is targeted for release in Q1 of 2007. In the interim, the only change to the current product offerings will be in their packaging: the Siebel product will be renamed Oracle Business Intelligence EE and the Oracle product Oracle Business Intelligence SE.

We think the Redwood Shores, Calif. software giant's overall vision is good, and if it executes according to plan it will deliver a strong BI platform. However, Oracle's BI focus has been inconsistent in the past - making major announcements and looking to generate revenue from BI one year, but in the next, making no announcements and offering BI as a loss leader to generate database revenue. Ventana Research urges current customers to ask for a detailed roadmap with well-defined integration and migration milestones. Organizations that are considering Oracle as their BI vendor should look for a commitment to allocate development, sales, services and support resources that demonstrates a long-term commitment. If Oracle proves to be serious about this area of the business, it could be a tough competitor for other BI vendors.

About Ventana Research
Ventana Research is the leading Performance Management research and advisory services firm. By providing expert insight and detailed guidance, Ventana Research helps clients operate their companies more efficiently and effectively. These business improvements are delivered through a top-down approach that connects people, process, information and technology. What makes Ventana Research different from other analyst firms is a focus on Performance Management for finance, operations and IT. This focus, plus research as a foundation and reach into a community of over two million corporate executives through extensive media partnerships, allows Ventana Research to deliver a high-value, low-risk method for achieving optimal business performance. To learn how Ventana Research Performance Management workshops, assessments and advisory services can impact your bottom line, visit www.ventanaresearch.com.

2006 Ventana Research