Happy New Year! We’ve taken the first month of 2012 to reflect on some New Year’s resolutions for our partners, and no they do not involve endless hours at the gym.  So let’s jump off the treadmill, and jump right into OPN’s top five New Year’s resolutions for 2012.

1. Provide more opportunities for exposure - We got a head start on this one with our recently launched Solutions Catalog. This online directory offers partners an efficient way to connect with customers, because everyone knows that more leads mean more business.
2. Build only the best products for our software portfolio - When it comes to our dedicated, loyal and hardworking partners, we couldn’t agree more with Tina Turner- “You’re simply the best, better than all the rest, better than anyone”, which is why we only plan on offering only the best in industry products and solutions like the Oracle Database Appliance.
3. Advance partners’ applications to be both better and faster - There is no doubt about it, Oracle likes things fast. From sail boats to applications; the faster, the better. So it comes as no surprise that Oracle has introduced the Oracle Exastack program allowing our partners to test and tune their solutions so that they can deliver faster, more reliable applications.
4. Help ensure long-term partner growth and success - That is right folks, we are in it for the long haul. We want you to succeed, and because of this, are committed to your success. We want to supply you with all the water, sunshine, and first-in-class products you need to grow and flourish.
5. Stay at the top - There is nothing better than being #1. For more than three and a half decades, Oracle has been the leader in database software, and we will continue to innovate and to lead the industry. After all, our partners are the bubbles to our New Year’s Champagne – we wouldn’t be complete without you.

Cheers to a Happy New Year,

The OPN Communications Team

Well, we’re movin’ on up… That’s right, the OPN team has moved the Solutions Catalog on up, with new and enhanced features making navigation around the site a breeze. We have traveled to both the East and West side of town to assure we have presented customers with the best directory to help them select the piece of the pie they are looking for.

This updated site provides customers with an overview of the entire OPN ecosystem, while highlighting Oracle Specialized partners and those who are a part of the Oracle Exastack program. The new streamlined search interface lists out each extensive knowledge area, allowing partners to play in the big leagues and get their hard earned turn at bat.

With the new media rich entry point into the Solutions Catalog, customers can now search for both Specialized and Oracle Exastack program partners, or they can opt to search for partner by region, product or solution, as well as gain access to provided white papers and videos.  Partners should spend some time updating their partner profile and marketing collateral, so potential customers can take a look at what they are all about.

We have also implemented a robust lead capture tool as a way for partners to request and post recommendations from customers and other partners. Finally, the new metrics capability will allow partners to measure the effectiveness of their profile. If having access to this kind of information isn’t living the good life, then we don’t know what is.

Here is what Judson has to say about the new Solutions Catalog:

Partners, take a few minutes to explore the enhanced Solutions Catalog and learn for yourself, how this valuable and measurable, demand generation vehicle runs and read what IDC has to say about this new and improved tool here.

Helping you move on up,

The OPN Communications Team

It is the most wonderful time of the year! A time where children are on their best behavior for Santa, co-workers are on their best behavior after the office holiday party, and we have been on our best behavior to be able to bring you our year end wrap-up of all things OPN.

2011 was filled with plenty to be jolly about; especially, the fact that ten of our partners achieved Diamond level status (press release) in the OPN Specialized Program. These partners include Accenture, Capgemini, CSC, Deloitte, IBM, Infosys, PwC, Tata Consultancy Service Ltd., Wipro and Fujitsu. As early adopters, these savvy companies know exactly what it is they want this holiday season, and that is to be preferred by their customers.

2011 just kept getting merrier as we launched the OPN Incentive Rebate Program for partners selling to a broad customer base. VARs have been able to maximize and boost their retained profit margins by going to market with Oracle.

Add the launch of Oracle Exastack Program for ISVs and OEMs, and you’ve got another reason to celebrate this season with cheer. With over 150 partners now at Oracle Ready status, the Oracle Exastack Program has helped enable partners to deliver increased performance, accelerating innovation and delivering superior value to customers.

Jingle bells were ringing all the way as the Oracle Database Appliance took center stage as this year’s most compelling channel hardware solution. Built on a platform that scales as a customer's business grows, this program sits squarely beneath a fourth rack of Oracle Exadata, making it comparable to a holiday miracle.

Adding a bit more cinnamon to your apple cider, Oracle's recent recognition by CRN Magazine as one of “The Top 25 Best Companies to Partner With,” goes to show that the proof is always in the proverbial pudding. The November issue highlights Oracle’s commitment to partners, recruitment strategy, and plans on how to grow its network of partners over the next year.

“Oracle is moving from a direct sales-dominated database software maker to a partner-engaged maker of innovative hardware/software-engineered systems that encompass applications, middleware, storage, and servers,” commented Judson Althoff, SVP of WWA&C and Embedded Sales. Simply put, there is no better time to become an Oracle partner than right now.

Wishing you all visions of sugar plums,

The OPN Communications Team

What a wonderful year it has been for the OPN team and for our partners alike. From launches like the Oracle Exastack program and the Oracle Database Appliance to yet another successful Oracle OpenWorld event. As we venture into this joyful holiday season, we wanted to take a moment and talk about what we can be doing together outside the Oracle Partner community. This month Oracle volunteers will be helping Second Harvest Food Bank distribute food for those who are less fortunate.

 Second Harvest is the single largest nonprofit provider of food to low-income households in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, and is the second largest food bank in the country, based on pounds distributed per person in poverty. Oracle PartnerNetwork is graciously asking all partners to join us in our efforts and make a difference this holiday season. Listen to Judson as he shares his thoughts on giving to the Second Harvest Food Bank:

You can donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank by clicking here. We hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season!

Happiest of holidays,

The OPN Communications Team

Take full advantage of Oracle OpenWorld Latin America 2011, an event centered on taking your business to the next level.

Get up close and personal with Latin America Oracle executives as they give the latest FY12 direction and strategy at this once-a-year knowledge-focused event.

The OPN Forum, invite only, will offer you the tools necessary to grow and develop your business with Oracle, while expanding your own networking contact list and resources.

A special thank you to our 2011 Oracle OpenWorld Latin America PartnerNetwork Forum and Lounge sponsors Avnet, Ação, Officer, CTIS, Preteco, Intel, and Nexsys.

Note: The Oracle PartnerNetwork Forum is a free event open to all registered partners of Oracle OpenWorld Latin America. To register today for Oracle OpenWorld Latin America, please visit the Oracle OpenWorld Latin America website.

Click here to view the Oracle OpenWorld Latin America OPN Forum Agenda.

Look forward to seeing you at Oracle OpenWorld Latin America,

The OPN Communications Team

On the field or off the field, in ballet slippers or singing your heart out on stage, offering a stellar performance every time is key to holding the attention of your audience and having them come back hungry for more. Similarly, showing up to a new business meeting wearing pink tights and a tutu might be one way to holding the attention of your customer, but offering them an unmatched and ground-breaking software solution certainly will get their attention!

Simply put, the Oracle Exastack program enables both ISV's and OEM's to rapidly build and deliver faster, more reliable applications. It comes as no surprise that the success of the Oracle Exastack program is centered on establishing Oracle Exadata Database Machine and Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud as the highest performance, lowest cost platforms available in the industry today. 

But here is where the real standing-ovation-worthy facts come in. The Oracle Exadata Database Machine is the only database machine that provides extreme performance for both data warehousing and online transaction processing (OLTP) workloads, making it the ideal platform for consolidating onto private clouds. Whereas the Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud is an engineered hardware and software system tested and tuned by Oracle to provide the best foundation for cloud computing, while allowing Java applications, Oracle Applications and other enterprise applications to run with extreme performance. – And the crowd goes wild, ladies and gentlemen!

In just four months alone, our partners have already achieved over 150 Oracle Exastack Ready milestones for Oracle Solaris, Oracle Linux, Oracle Database and Oracle WebLogic Server.  As Judson has said, “With the Oracle Exastack program, Oracle is helping partners test, tune and optimize their applications to deliver optimal performance and reliability, accelerating innovation and delivering superior value to customers."

And get this, not only are their applications running faster and more efficiently, they are actually being delivered at a lower cost to customers than ever before – extreme performance well deserving of 3 consecutive arabesques!

If you haven’t already, check out what some of our partners are saying about the Oracle Exastack program in this video, and find out all that is available to you today.

By participating in the Oracle Exastack program, partners now have the ability to achieve Oracle Exadata Optimized, Oracle Exalogic Optimized, Oracle Exadata Ready and Oracle Exalogic Ready status for their solutions.

• New Oracle Exastack labs, provide OPN members with access to Oracle technical resources, on-premise facilities and remote lab environments.
• With Oracle Exastack Optimized, partners experience faster and more reliable applications to run on the Oracle Exadata Database Machine, as well as the long awaited Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud.
• Savvy OPN members are leveraging the Oracle Exastack Optimized program toward their advancement to Platinum or Diamond level in OPN.
• Partners are achieving Oracle Exadata Ready and Oracle Exalogic Ready giving them a competitive advantage and signaling to customers that their applications readily support Oracle Exadata Database Machine or Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud to deliver extreme performance.

Get your dancing shoes on,

The OPN Communications Team

Get the party started. For your next customer get-together, make sure to serve up this quick, easy to make 30-minute shake and bake stack recipe. Start by taking the world’s most popular database, add a tablespoon of engineered systems to accelerate its deployment, and serve with one cup of vendor support and what will you get?  The Oracle Database Appliance! 

As we all know, database downtime can have a dramatic impact on your customer’s productivity and on their bottom line. With a unique combination of ingredients such as high availability, simple implementation and maintenance and affordability – all in one box – it has never been so easy to ensure maximum performance and reliability for your customers’ applications.

The Oracle Database Appliance is nothing short of a breakthrough. Engineered for simplicity the Oracle Database Appliance can help you and your customers:

• Maintain high data availability: Multiple protection and self-correction features keep applications up and running.
• Minimize complexity: All the components have been engineered to work together because they all come from a single vendor – Oracle – eliminating cost and complexity across the board.
• Reduce costs: The Oracle Database Appliance is more affordable than purchasing all the elements separately – and is far more cost-effective to manage.
• Increase customer responsiveness: Whether your applications are used by customer-facing staff, the customers themselves, or both, they’ll do their jobs better backed by optimal performance.
• Lower TCO: Oracle’s unique pay-as-you-grow licensing lets your customers scale at their own pace so they only pay for what they need.

Discover the Oracle Database Appliance – a simple, reliable, affordable database system.

Hope you enjoy the recipe,

The OPN Communications Team

The Oracle PartnerNetwork and our Channel leader, Judson Althoff kicked off Oracle OpenWorld partner activities with the OPN Forum on Sunday. At the OPN Forum new announcements were made from coretech – Oracle Exadata and Oracle Exalogic to business intelligence with Oracle Exalytics, and even more innovation unveiling in cloud computing, engineered systems – Oracle Database Appliance, and server and storage with the Sparc Super Cluster. Thanks to our OPN Forum sponsors, Avnet Technology Solutions and Arrow Electronics for helping us make it a success with a record +4,500 partners in attendance – more than double last year’s session.

In our attempt to give you play by play via our social media networks, we were able to welcome 50+ followers to our OPN Twitter, and #OPN was mentioned a whopping amount of times in the span of a little over two hours. What a trendsetter is this #OPN! We were able to bring you some of the most exciting quotes delivered by our OPN Forum guest speakers; in particular, Pythian’s Paul Vallee sharing his excitement over the Oracle Database Appliance with his famous line… “We are going to sell the dickins out of it.”

Congratulations to Oracle PartnerNetwork’s 10 new Diamond-level partners – the highest ranking available in Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) Specialized program: Accenture, CagGemini, CSC, Deloitte, Fujitsu, IBM, Infosys, PwC, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., and Wipro.

While we were at the Oracle PartnerNetwork Lounge getting ready to host an array of activities for our partners from networking receptions, sponsored by Tech Data Corporation, to meetings and vlogging, but more importantly, getting our partners high on sugar during Oracle’s Financing ice cream social on Tuesday – which by the way was the highlight of the OPN Lounge – others were busy learning more and more about the latest technology by attending special interest groups sessions, record attendance this year, on topics such as Java, Oracle Fusion Applications, the Oracle Exastack Program and more.

Our partner 5K FunRun ended up more like a 7K FunRun when someone took the wrong turn at some uphill street that didn’t seem to have a downhill for a while. Aren’t we glad we fed everyone a banana before the ‘fun’ started? That is why it is called a FunRun after all. Bet you can’t wait to do it all again next year!

The weather forecasters got it wrong – Sting and Tom Petty hit the stage and were off the charts at Oracle’s customer event of the 2011 Oracle OpenWorld festivities. It was a fun little party at Treasure Island with tons of festival games, stuffed animals, BBQ, and ferris wheel rides with a great view of the city on a clear, cold and starry night.

If you missed it, watch Larry Ellison's full-length replay on Oracle’s YouTube Channel – more keynotes, including OPN’s very own Judson Althoff is posted here. You can also find all the keynotes, general sessions, and executive solution sessions from Oracle OpenWorld on Oracle Media Network.

There was plenty of additional compelling news on a variety of topics, and as we always do, we save it all in one place for you, right here:

Oracle Kicks Off Oracle OpenWorld with Record Oracle PartnerNetwork Forum Attendance

Partners Continue to Specialize and Succeed with Oracle

Oracle Extends the Oracle Exastack Program with Availability of Oracle Exastack Optimized, Oracle Exadata Ready and Oracle Exalogic Ready

Wipro Achieves Diamond Level Status in Oracle PartnerNetwork

Fujitsu Named Oracle PartnerNetwork Diamond Level Partner

Oracle Spotlights Global Partners for Innovation and Customer Excellence

North America Partners Demonstrate Customer and Innovation Excellence at Oracle OpenWorld 2011

Thank you to all who were able to attend this year and for those of you who weren’t there, we hope to see you next year!

OPN Communications Team

Okay, here is the scoop partners. If you haven’t had a chance to unwind from all this Oracle OpenWorld madness or simply need a place to host a meeting, please come visit us at the OPN Lounge at Moscone South, Room 100. We will be here today, Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

And if you are wondering what else we have in store for our partners this Wednesday, here is another tip. Take advantage of the partner-only session – Oracle PartnerNetwork Specialized Program: Get Specialized –  at the Westin Market Hotel from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Are you Specialized? You can take Specialist Exams at Oracle OpenWorld which count toward your certification as a Specialist. Be sure to pre-register and head down to the Hilton Hotel, Union Square from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for your FREE exam.

Looking forward to seeing you,

The OPN Communications Team.

So the Oracle PartnerNetwork Forum is finally here and we wouldn’t want you to miss it. Will it be as good for you as it will be for those attending? No doubt. We have arranged for you to watch the LIVE event from the comfort of your home, computer, TV, or coffee shop if you insist. Amid the near-red painted city that is San Francisco these days, we have taken the time to make sure you don’t miss the high moments of OPN’s biggest event of the year.

Want to know what the Oracle PartnerNetwork has up its sleeve for partners this year?  Wonder no more. Tune in to watch live via www.oracle.com/partner at 12:30 p.m. PT and watch the magic unfold right before your eyes.

Ever been to a store’s grand opening with a large crowd mingling about waiting the unlocking of the doors? Well, we are that excited and full of anticipation for this year’s Oracle OpenWorld coming up October 2-6, 2011.  We can hardly stand to wait!

Take full advantage of what Oracle OpenWorld 2011 has to offer partners by registering now for the Oracle PartnerNetwork Forum. The event, sponsored by Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) Specialized Platinum level partners Arrow Electronics and Avnet Technology Solutions is open to all Oracle OpenWorld registered partners. Not registered?  Do it now:  Oracle OpenWorld.

Sign up for the OPN Forum Special Interest Group (SIG) sessions including the latest on Oracle Fusion Applications, unleashing your application with The Oracle Exastack Program, driving your business with Java, and lots more. Arrow Electronics, OPN Forum sponsor, will present its new program designed to empower you to attack broad market opportunities and lead the transformation of the datacenter, while maximizing your earning potential via the new OPN Incentive program.  Learn how Avnet Technology Solutions, OPN Forum sponsor, is elevating their unique solutions methodology to enable partners to enter and excel in selling into the health care, retail and energy markets. Avnet helps partners achieve maximum profitability in Oracle’s programs; and invests in programs and initiatives to fuel partner’s growth with new opportunities in white space markets, both locally and globally.

If you have already registered for Oracle OpenWorld, you can update your registration to include Oracle PartnerNetwork Forum and select SIG sessions by logging in to My Account. For more information, click here.  We will be waiting for you to pick-up your registration materials at Moscone South on Saturday, October 1, 2011: 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 2, 2011: 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

What else?  After the SIGs, there’s a networking lunch, and then join Judson for the global welcome and keynote session to gain insight into Oracle’s FY12 channel vision and strategies to grow with Oracle, followed by regional breakout sessions.

Monday through Wednesday, the OPN Lounge sponsored by Tech Data Corporation, will be open in Moscone South Room 100, where you can hold meetings and network with other partners, customers and other industry professionals. Talk with a Tech Data Corporation representative about StreamOne, TDCloud, ISV, SaaS and other exciting offerings that can help grow your Oracle business. Get questions answered at the Oracle PartnerNetwork Information Stations, and visit the OPN Video Blogging room to share some of your ideas.

Not Specialized yet?  Take OPN Specialized exams at OpenWorld on us. Click here to learn more about this special event and pre-register now.

Want some entertainment options? Get up or stay up and join us at the W Hotel, lobby level early Monday morning at 6:00 a.m. for the 5k Partner Fun Run – no registration needed.

Oracle OpenWorld  is a great opportunity to network with other business professionals, and expand your contact list and resources; all of it geared toward helping you build and grow your business with Oracle.

You won’t know if you don’t go!

Anticipating your arrival,
The OPN Communications Team

Which came first – the chicken or the egg? Is Elvis in the building? Who’s going to be the next American Idol?  And what’s the next Oracle Database Product Update? With so many unanswered questions we are pleased to announce that in just a few short days we can get to the bottom of the Oracle Database question. Join Oracle Executives on Wednesday, September 21st as we share plans for a new product that will offer partners a faster path to take advantage of the world's #1 database.

We know that you’re going to want to hear more.  Not to worry – we’ve got you covered.  Join OPN on Thursday, September 22nd  at 10:00 AM PT for PartnerCast where we will go into further detail on this announcement.

 On the edge of our seats,

The OPN Communications Team

Fingers crossed that Sting performs this  number at the Appreciation Event this year at Oracle OpenWorld but let’s hope that the OPN Team isn’t singing it on Sunday at the OPN Forum.  We don’t want to miss you so please plan to join us on Sunday, October 2^nd for the annual Oracle PartnerNetwork Forum.  Kicking off at 9:00 AM with our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) the day promises to be something you don’t want to miss.  Waiting for your personal invitation?  Here it is:

Register to attend Oracle OpenWorld now and don’t forget to let us know you’ll be attending the Forum – we’ll save you a seat.  You can select SIG sessions and regional breakouts by logging in to My Account. For more information, click here.

See you at the Forum,

The OPN Communications team

Extreme Makeover.  Extreme Couponing.  Even Extreme Angler.  The list of ‘Extreme’ TV goes on and on but we think the really exciting Extreme offering is with the Oracle Exastack program.   Launched in June and announced during Oracle’s FY12 Partner Kickoff the Oracle Exastack program is a stack of software based on Oracle servers, storage, and networking – engineered and optimized to work together. In essence, it’s the Oracle Exadata Database Machine and Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud. Together.  It’s the only platform you need for your on-premise or cloud-based solutions.   Listen in as Judson Althoff and Chris Baker discuss.

ISVs and partners can qualify and tune their applications with Oracle Exastack and become Oracle Exastack Ready and Oracle Exastack Optimized.  Oracle Exastack Ready means your applications have been tested and they support Oracle Exadata Database Machine and Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud component products including Oracle Solaris, Oracle Linux, Oracle Database and Oracle WebLogic Server. 

And about that performance thing, Oracle Exastack Optimized means your application has been tuned on Oracle Exadata Database Machine or Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud to deliver optimum speed, scalability and reliability.  Want numbers? Java runs up to 10x faster.  Cash management transactions have run 20x-30x faster. 

And Oracle partners can leverage their Oracle Exastack Ready applications to meet some requirements for OPN’s Platinum or Diamond level specializations. That’s not all.   New partner enablement resources, dedicated Oracle Exastack labs, Guided Learning Paths, and exclusive benefits for ISVs and partners are all part of the Oracle Exastack offering.  Unleash yourself and check it out.

In the spirit of things we are going to be extremely detailed and even offer up the latest webcast on the topic because we just can’t say enough about Oracle Exastack – learn more here.

Extremely excited about Oracle Exastack,

The OPN Communications Team

Duke’s busy.  But you can catch up on his activities on Thursday, July 7^th as Oracle launches Java 7.  Catch the launch live in three locations:  

• HQ - 9:00 a.m. PDT
• London - 5:00 p.m. BST
• Sao Paulo - 1:00 p.m. BRT

Register here. Can't attend the live event? Register for the webcast.

Java is everywhere.  4.5 billion devices.  800 million computers and 1.5 billion mobile phones. Java is HOT. Duke is so excited because he’s now, drum roll please, Future Tech Duke! And he’s making appearances everywhere for Java 7.

Your Java 7 Launch checklist? Attend the launch, get your Duke Screensaver by liking Java on Facebook, nominate your Java product or service for Duke’s Choice Awards, and hear about everything Java 7 can do and how Oracle is moving Java forward.

This is a do not miss event. Duke thinks it’s all about him, but it’s not - It’s all about Java 7! 

See you at the launch,

The OPN Communications Team