Kevin O’Brien Blog

We often talk to ISV partners and SaaS companies we meet with about The Path to SaaS. As we have launched the new SaaS for ISVs model (more info in prior posts), I have received many questions on where to get started when working with Oracle in building a SaaS business.

One good place to start is by reading Whitepaper: Oracle SaaS Platform: Building On-Demand Applications (PDF). This provides an excellent overview of the Oracle Platform for SaaS.

Stay tuned for the next step on the Path to SaaS.

Sometimes an ISV needs some help in the transition to SaaS. Oracle is working with leading SaaS enablement partners. Sonata Software Limited is an example of a company that can help ISVs on the Path to SaaS.

Press Release: Sonata launches SaaS enablement services on the Oracle Platform for SaaS

Here's what Sonata Software Limited announced:

Leading Indian software solutions company, Sonata Software Limited, has launched enablement services for applications on the Oracle Platform for Software as a Service (SaaS). As part of this initiative Sonata will enable Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and enterprises with custom applications to migrate their applications to the Oracle Platform for SaaS. The initiative will include providing SaaS Solution Adoption Accelerators and building a Proof of Concept for quick adoption of technology.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Aniruddha Banerjee, Head - Technology Business, Sonata Software remarked, “Customers today are looking at getting higher Return on Investment within a short period of time. By migrating applications to the Oracle Platform for SaaS, Sonata helps product companies significantly cut time-to-market and production costs. With our experience on Oracle technologies, combined with our proven methodologies and frameworks for effective deployment, Sonata is in a unique position to help ISVs make a smooth transition to SaaS in a quick and cost-effective manner.”

Sonata and Oracle have a long-standing relationship since 1993. As the preferred migration partner for Oracle Database worldwide, and as an Oracle Certified Solutions Partner for both e-Business & core technologies, Sonata has completed several successful Oracle implementations both in India and abroad. Sonata was recognized as its Best Partner of the Year for Oracle Application - Mid Market in 2007 and the Best Partner of the Year for Oracle Application - Accelerate Solutions in 2008.

Mr Milan Thanawala, Senior Director, Oracle Corporation added, “The key to a successful SaaS deployment lies in delivering Enterprise class applications at lower cost and with reduced time to market. With their track record of providing services around high-end Oracle technologies to multiple companies from various domains, Sonata Software is ably poised to be the single point solutions provider for ISVs looking to SaaS-enable their applications."

Many ISVs partnership with Oracle is centered around Oracle E-Business Suite, Oracle's PeopleSoft Enterprise, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, JD Edwards World, Siebel and other Oracle applications. Many of these ISV partners work with Oracle through Oracle Validated Integration. Look for more posts on these partners as the complete their Oracle Validated Integration.

Today's press release states that:

More than 500 Validated Integrations Delivered Through Oracle PartnerNetwork Application Integration Architecture for Partners Initiative to Reduce Risk and Cost for Customers

Further providing customers a simplified, low-risk and tested path to integrations, Oracle today announced it has completed over 500 validations of integration to third party software though though the Oracle PartnerNetwork Application Integration Architecture for Partners (AIAP) initiative. To date, over 170 Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) have validated integration to their solutions through the program, providing customers tested and proven integrations for the Oracle® E-Business Suite, Oracle's PeopleSoft Enterprise, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, JD Edwards World, Siebel and other Oracle applications.

Recent ISV partners to achieve Oracle Validated Integration through Oracle AIAP include: Avaya, Axeda Corporation, Brainware, Inc., Data Systems International®, F5 Networks, HERMES SoftLab, Kaba Workforce Solutions, TimeLink, and UC4 Software, Inc.

The Oracle AIAP initiative provides partners development guidance, tools, validation testing and best practices for integrating to Oracle's broad portfolio of applications. Partner solutions can be validated across three integration and extension approaches, including cross-application business process integration, service based integration, and native application integration, to meet the different solution requirements for a wide variety of customer business scenarios.

To find more information on Oracle Validated Integration check out the below links:
Oracle Application Integration Architecture for Partners
Oracle Validated Integration criteria and benefits
Validated Integration listing on Oracle.com

Data Architecture is a much discussed subject when ISVs are starting down the Path to SaaS. Working with an Oracle Database, there are 3 ways to approach Data Architecture:

1. Separate Databases
2. Shared Database, Separate Schemas
3. Shared Database, Shared Schema

This SaaS Data Architecture White Paper can help an ISV determine the trade-offs involved with each approach.

These considerations are mapped to two key factors:

1. Simplicity Of Deployment


2. Maintenance & Scalability

In addition, ISVs need to evaluate the market specific requirements of their customers. SMB buyers will likely have a different set of evaluation criteria than Financial Services companies.

Ok, I do realize my last post was also regarding a White Paper but this one hit my inbox and I thought it was worthy of note. Many people seem curious about how Oracle views Cloud Computing. This paper provides a great high level perspective on Cloud Architecture.

The below diagram shows the depth of capability Oracle can bring to bear in these types of architectures. Click on the image to read full White Paper.

The Oracle Innovation Showcase provides a look at the key innovations that have driven Oracle over the past 30 years.

Now Oracle Partners have a chance to submit their innovations. This is a great opportunity for our SaaS and ISV Partners to get recognized.

As we count down to the Oracle PartnerNetwork Forum, we want to know how you have been Innovating. Submit a short video letting us know how you have been Innovative, and we'll highlight our most innovative partners on Oracle.com/Innovation and at the OPN Forum at Oracle OpenWorld.

Great video with Steve Datnow from HumanConcepts talking about the value his company gets by partnering with Oracle and validating their integration to Oracle applications.

Steve Datnow, CTO at HumanConcepts, shares how integration validation has helped reduce development costs, improve customer confidence, and maximize their market visibility.

Listen to what Judson has to say about Application Integration Architecture for Partners (AIAP) and Oracle Validated Integration.

Judson Althoff, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Alliances and Channels, talks about the partner opportunity with Application Integration Architecture.

Well if you have 10 minutes burning a hole in your pocket then sit tight and get an overview of what we're doing with SaaS for ISVs. Matt Chivers was kind enough to interview me in a video podcast format.