Something's Happenin' Here

Something's happenin' here
What it is ain't exactly clear...
- From "For What It's Worth" by Stephen Stills

It's Saturday morning of Labor Day weekend as I write this post. Just finished my morning walk and now I'm sitting on my back deck, just thinking about things while another beautiful day in Southern California starts to take shape.

I've been working with Ubiquity over the past few days as time permits, and that experience is on my mind. At the same time, my brain is still swimming from yesterday's demo of Oracle Fusion Applications. It just struck me, sitting here pondering, that there is a connection between the two. So I'm grabbing my iPhone and writing about it as I sit here and figure things out. Sort of a blogger's version of thinking out loud.

Many of Ubiquity's great features are based on the design concept of putting services you care about where you care about them...check out Jake's post for more on that. In Fusion Applications, if you consider the pushing of embedded analytics to the user home page as a service (and this is more powerful than my words here can describe; the embedded analytics in Fusion Applications are really "in your face" analytics), then the same design concept is at work here...services you care about where you care about them. No need to switch apps, tools, etc.

So I'm beginning to realize that this design concept of services you care about where you care about them is a pretty big deal. It could change the way we all work and interact with technology. Then when I recognize that most desktop widgets and gadgets are just manifestations of the same idea, I realize there is a trend here and I've been MIA until now. Something's happenin' here...

Posted with LifeCast

Fusion Applications Seen Up Close

I took a day trip up the coast to Oracle HQ today. The purpose of the trip was to attend a special demo of Oracle Fusion Applications; a capstone to the Oracle Fusion Project Portfolio Management Design Validation project Oracle conducted with a small group of customers, including the Jet Propulsion Lab. I saw up close what will eventually evolve into Fusion Applications Version 1.0. Not a PowerPoint deck of slides, not non-functional or semi-functional prototypes, but the real honest-to-goodness applications. Not in a live production environment, but a live demo environment...akin to the "Vision" demo instance for the E-Business Suite. I witnessed execution of transactions, data input, and drill-downs from analytics into transactional detail. Some observations I made and conclusions I drew as a result of today's experience:

• Fusion Applications are real...period. If you read anything about "vaporware" or "not real" or "far from completion", recognize it for what it is...baloney. If I were numbering my iterations or versions prior to a 1.0 release, I'd put what I saw today at roughly about version 0.7 or 0.8 ...but that's strictly a rough, speculative guess on my part, and is definitely not the means by which the Fusion development team is tracking their progress (By the way, I have nothing to share on actual progress against plans or release dates. If I had it to share, I would...but I don't, so I won't. There's enough speculation on the release date and plans without me pouring any more fuel on the fire).
  

• Although the user interface is different from anything we've seen before, it's very intuitive. In addition, although the information presented through the user interface varies from application to applications, the manner in which the user interface works is fairly consistent across applications. It's definitely next-generation in terms of the way users will relate to the applications.
  

• There is a big emphasis on Web 2.0 concepts: easy collaboration and communication by enabling networking (instant chat and discussion boards across social and organizational boundaries, pushing out information (especially in the form of embedded analytics) you care about where you care about it, RSS feeds on changes and transactions (which allows a user to track activities in a browser without ever logging into Fusion Applications) and leveraging tagging of business objects to arrange data in all sorts of ways according to categories or groups that are important to you and your enterprise. I was especially astounded by the number of times during the day that I tied features in Fusion Applications to something from the Oracle AppsLab (things that Jake blogged on or Paul wrote about or "gee, that looks a lot like some of Rich's work from Oracle Mix" - somebody in Fusion Applications development must be watching what these guys do and share)...very cool to see the results of the synergy there. For example, users can graphically depict networks within and across organizational stovepipes (Fusion Applications refers to this as a "Social Mesh"), depicting who is working with who and what they're working on. As a project manager, where the success of my project often hinges on good communication between the right people to determine the right course of action, this functionality will be invaluable in identifying the right people for a given situation. Personally, I could use this functionality right now.

• Speaking of synergy, the synergy between the E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft, and Siebel is also very apparent, particularly in business processes and applications functionality. Although Fusion Applications is much more than a "conceptual mash-up" of Oracle's various applications product lines, it's obvious that the development team took the time to bring together the best features, processes, and lessons learned from the existing application product lines.
  

• One more important point I need to share out here: many users, including me, were under the impression that Fusion Applications will rely on a "pillar" database architecture (a concept from the PeopleSoft space that roughly equates to one database instance for each application in an application suite - one for HR, one for Projects, one for Financials, and so on). In fact, I've built a strategic plan for JPL's institutional business systems around this understanding. However, it turns out that it's not true. An upgrade from the E-Business Suite, which is based on a single database instance for all apps in the suite, to Fusion Applications will result in one database instance for Fusion Applications. However, EBS users can opt for a pillar architecture if desired. In additon, those organizations currently utilizing the pillar architecture will have the option to retain that architecture in an upgrade to Fusion Applications.

• After today's session, it's fairly obvious to me that Fusion Applications won't be for everyone. Progressive companies, agressive IT departments, collaborative enterprises, cutting edge organizations...they'll be the organizations best suited to drive value by leveraging the next-generation features of Fusion Applications.

• It's also fairly obvious to me that nobody should put their business and IT initiatives "on hold" to wait for Fusion Applications. Using Fusion Middleware to extend the functionality of your current applications not only will yield value in the present, it will also help your enterprise evolve toward readiness for Fusion Applications.

So, there ya go...that's how I spent my day. Want to know more? Have questions? Maybe a better story on Fusion Applications? Hit me with a comment.

OOW EBS Tools and Technology Roadmap

I suspect the message for EBS users this year at Oracle OpenWorld will be about using the functionality of the applications, and about using tools and technology to extend the functionality of the applications. Yeah, I know what you're thinking..."gee, Sherlock, what was your first clue?" Now I'll admit that my suspicion here is pretty obvious. It just doesn't sound all that unusual for OOW and, frankly, it's not. What's new this year is the increased number and variety of opportunities for learning about all this stuf. There are presentation sessions, demos, hands-on labs, and even some Unconference sessions. Finding out about all of the learning opportunities can be quite a chore.

The good news is that Oracle has put out an OOW roadmap; a catalog of all the learning opportunities for EBS users. You can download the roadmap, "Focus On Oracle E-Business Suite - Applications Tools and Technology", here. Comes in a pdf format. Put it on your PDA, your Blackberry, your iPhone, or even print it out and stick it in your pocket...you'll be all set.

Recommending A Good R12 Primer

I think that one of the impacts from Oracle OpenWorld this year will be an increased desire for many EBS users to upgrade to R12. Version 12.1 is due out soon (maybe before OOW, during OOW, or shortly thereafter). In fact, some of the supporting docs for 12.1 are beginning to show up on MetaLink. I suspect anything we see on the EBS at OOW will based on 12.1.

I've thought for some time that 12.1 will represent something of a tipping point in terms of R12 uptake within the user community. I know that Oracle has put some significant effort into the overall quality of the release and I'm expecting a much improved product, both in terms of fixes and new functionality. Both those aspects will stir up some pretty strong interest in upgrading to R12.

If I'm right (hey, everybody has to get lucky once in awhile...it could happen), Solution Beacon's Release 12 Primer will take on some new significance for those considering an upgrade to R12. It's a great overall reference on R12, written by some talented and pretty intelligent folks. I have a copy in my bookcase and, even though my shop is still on 11.5.10.2, I do refer people with R12 questions to relevant sections of the book frequently. If you don't already own a copy, you may want to consider picking one up for your reference library.

Podcast on SearchOracle.com

This is an unabashed plug for the podcast I recently recorded with SearchOracle.com. The point of the podcast is to share what BEA users can expect from Oracle OpenWorld and how they should approach the conference to maximize the benefit of attending. You can listen to the podcast here. Let me know what you think...leave a comment.

OpenWorld Hands-On Labs – Another Bite At The Apple

While attending Collaborate 08, I had the good fortune to attend a hands-on lab sponsored by the OTN Best Practice Centers: ""Hands On Lab: Service-enable Oracle E-Business Suite with Oracle SOA Suite BPEL Process Manager". This was one of the best time investments I made at Collaborate. I raved about it and expressed my hope in this very blog that we would see more sessions like this at Oracle OpenWorld. Looks like my wish is coming true…we're going to get another bite at the apple!

Last week, I received an email from Markus Zirn, a VP of Oracle Fusion Middleware Product Management and a good friend. Markus wanted to let me know that the OTN Best Practice Centers will be sponsoring a series of hands-on labs and demos on using Fusion Middleware with Oracle Applications (EBS, PeopleSoft, Siebel and JD Edwards).

It's exciting to hear that Oracle is continuing with hands-on labs at OpenWorld (and hopefully at Collaborate 09). There's just no substitute, in terms of product assessment and introductory skill building, for taking the software for a test drive. These labs give users a chance to see just how to extend application functionality with Fusion Middleware. It's an experience you just can't replicate on a PowerPoint chart.

I should point out that attendance at these workshops and demos is included in an OpenWorld full conference pass. I should also point out that a large percentage of users, 577 users in total, signed up for similar sessions at Collaborate 08 – I'm betting these OpenWorld sessions will fill up very quickly, so you may want to sign up early.

The schedule for the sessions (along with a URL with the Best Practice Center for each app product line) follows:

Oracle E-Business Suite:

S299795	Hands-on Lab: Service-Enable Oracle E-Business Suite with Oracle SOA Suite BPEL Process Manager	Monday 09/22/2008 11:30 - 12:30	Marriott Golden Gate A3
S299795	Hands-on Lab: Service-Enable Oracle E-Business Suite with Oracle SOA Suite BPEL Process Manager	Wednesday 09/24/2008 09:00 - 10:00	Marriott Golden Gate A3
S299102	Demo Session: Using Oracle SOA Suite and Oracle BPEL Process Manager to Integrate and Extend Oracle E-Business Suite Applications	Wednesday 09/24/2008 11:30 - 12:30	Marriott Nob Hill AB
S299149	Demo Session: End-to-End Process Optimization for a Procure-to-Pay Process with Oracle E-Business Suite	Thursday 09/25/2008 10:30 - 11:30	Marriott Salon 07

Oracle E-Business Suite with Fusion Middleware Best Practice Center:

http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/fmw4apps/ebs

PeopleSoft:

S299796	Hands-on Lab: Service-Enable PeopleSoft Solutions with Oracle SOA Suite BPEL Process Manager	Monday 09/22/2008 13:00 - 14:00	Marriott Golden Gate A3
S299097	Demo Session: Using Oracle SOA Suite and Oracle BPEL Process Manager to Integrate and Extend PeopleSoft Applications	Thursday 09/25/2008 09:00 - 10:00	Marriott Salon 08
S299980	Demo Session: Leveraging Oracle Fusion Middleware Within Human Capital Management Today	Tuesday 09/23/2008 13:00 - 14:00	Moscone West Rm 2005

PeopleSoft with Fusion Middleware Best Practice Center:

http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/fmw4apps/peoplesoft

Siebel:

S299797	Hands-on Lab: Service-Enable Siebel Customer Relationship Management with Oracle SOA Suite BPEL Process Manager	Tuesday 09/23/2008 11:30 - 12:30	Marriott Golden Gate A3
S299089	Demo Session: Using Oracle SOA Suite and Oracle BPEL Process Manager to Integrate and Extend Siebel Applications	Monday 09/22/2008 17:30 - 18:30	Marriott Salon 08

Siebel with Fusion Middleware Best Practice Center:

http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/fmw4apps/siebel

JD Edwards Enterprise One:

S299798	Hands-on Lab: Service-Enable JD Edwards EnterpriseOne with Oracle SOA Suite BPEL Process Manager	Tuesday 09/23/2008 09:00 - 10:00	Marriott Golden Gate A3
S299220	Demo Session: Leveraging Oracle SOA Suite for JD Edwards EnterpriseOne Integration	Thursday 09/25/2008 10:30 - 11:30	Intercontinental Hotel Grand Ballroom C

JD Edwards Enterprise One with Fusion Middleware Best Practice Center

http://www.oracle.com/technology/tech/fmw4apps/jde (Coming soon…)

Movin' On Up

Well we're movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up,
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.

- From "Movin' On Up" (Theme From "The Jeffersons")

I just received some great news from Oracle. I'll be movin' on up from my status as an Oracle ACE to become an Oracle ACE Director. I'm pretty excited, as the Director designation provides more opportunities for evangelism - something I enjoy a great deal. It's also exciting because Oracle is just beginning to introduce the Oracle ACE Director program into the Oracle Applications user community. In fact, I'm one of the first (if not the first) people to have the Director designation in the apps domain.

It's my hope that the Oracle ACE Director program will grow the dialogue for Oracle apps users, much as the Oracle ACE program did (and continues to do) when it was introduced last year. The big value add for these programs is the basis for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, tips and tricks within the Oracle Applications user community, as well as providing a channel for the flow of information between apps users and Oracle Development. Personally, I'm just happy to be a part of it. Woot!

If you want to be a part of all this yourself, start with becoming an Oracle ACE. After a year as an Oracle ACE, you can work on becoming an Oracle ACE Director. You can learn more about the Oracle ACE program, including the nomination process, here.

Globalization at 5 a.m.

You know, it's pretty amazing where your mind will take you in the wee hours of the morning. As I write this, it's 5 a.m. and I'm waiting on a train platform to hop a commuter train to work. I'm killing the time by reviewing nominations for this year's Oracle Excellence Awards and the review has me thinking. I'm struck by the level of globalization in this year's nominees. There are lots of enterprises out there using Fusion Middleware in very creative ways to conduct international business.

Thomas L. Friedman, in "The World Is Flat", explains that globalization is driven to a great degree by the decomposition of business processes and the distribution of non-localized, decomposed activities to the low-cost provider (regardless of that provider's geographic location). For example, a dentist pull wisdom teeth is a localized service - not work that can be distributed to a provider other than that dentist. However, answering phones, scheduling appointments, developing and analyzing x-rays, and billing (all part of that dentist's work flow) are all components of the business process that can be distributed to the low cost provider.

Anyway, this has me thinking that maybe one of the big value propositions for enterprise apps should be the ability to support the decomposition and distribution of work at increasingly lower levels of granularity. This could be a very appealing business proposition to global enterprises (and, when it comes down to it, aren't we all global enterprises?). I see the potential for this type of thing with Fusion Middleware, especially BPEL and composite apps. Don't see it so much in the packaged apps world, although Fusion Apps may eventually represent an incremental move in that direction.

Related to this is the idea that maybe the big value propositon of social networking is to bring all those suppliers, partners and customers in this distributed, global value chain together...but I don't think this is a new idea. I just think it's still looking for real fruition.

So that's what my mind is running through at 5 a.m. Aren't you glad you don't ride my commuter train? In fact, aren't most of you glad that you're not up at this time of the day?

Making Sense Of It All

"To make light of philosophy is to be a true philosopher." - Blaise Pascal

Most of us would agree that life can be pretty confusing at times...it can be tough to figure out what's going on and how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. And, as big a fan as I am of roadmaps that attempt to make sense of it all, most of those roadmaps confuse me even more (check out Blaise Pascal's "Pensees" for an outstanding example of how an explanation of the human condition can be even more confusing than the human condition itself). So I'm very appreciative when I find a roadmap, an explanation, or any type of tool that lays out a clear explanation of a complex condition.

With that thought in mind, the IOUC's Debra Lilley pointed me to a nifty web page today that is well worth sharing. I don't know about you, but I have a tough time keeping track of Oracle's acquisitions and how the acquired products fit in with Oracle's offerings...I'm pretty confused about some aspects of Oracle's execution of the "Innovation Through Acquisition" strategy. It turns out that Oracle has a web page that lays it all out; you can find it here. Check it out - it's a great clarification of the acquisitions over the past three years. Even better, the page and it's links lead you to an explanation of how acquired products fit into Oracle's various product lines and suites. Great tool for making sense of it all - try it out and let me know what you think.

Oracle Excellence Award Nominations - Last Call

The last call or deadline for Oracle Excellence Award Nominations is approaching. If you're doing something creative or innovative to extend Oracle Applications (E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft, JD Edwards, Siebel, etc.), submit a nomination and take a shot at earning an award. The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 8th. Awards will be presented during a special gathering at Oracle OpenWorld. You can learn more about the Oracle Excellence Awards here. So if you're doing something nifty with Fusion Middleware to extend Oracle Applications, get those nominations going!