Oracle has defended the timing of the release of the latest
version of its Oracle Fusion Middleware product, saying it is bang
on the target.
Oracle and BEA customers have not had to wait longer than
planned, said Thomas Kurian, SVP of product development at
Oracle.
"After the
acquisition of BEA Systems was complete, we said we would
deliver a converged [middleware] product in 12 months and we have
done that almost to the day," said Kurian.
He was speaking at the
London launch of
Oracle Fusion Middleware 11g this morning.
"Although we were already a long way into 11g, we did not want
customers to have a double migration and decided on a single path
forward that would include BEA products," said Kurian.
According to Kurian, the move has been viewed positively by most
BEA and Oracle customers.
"We shipped 32 Oracle Fusion Middleware modules this week, which
have been done relatively quickly, he said.
The only modules outstanding are those for content management
and business intelligence, but these would be easy additions
scheduled for release later this year, said Kurian.
Former BEA customer
Telefonica O2 UK is happy with the convergence of the two
product sets and has been working with Oracle to ensure a smooth
transition to OFM 11g.
The mobile phone company plans to move 11g in the next year, but
it may be sooner if new product lines demand it, said Ricky
Mortimer, product manager, strategic change, at Telefonic O2
UK.
"We already had an identity management project underway when the
acquisition was announced, so we have worked with Oracle to ensure
the system is ready for 11g," he told Computer Weekly.
However, the mobile company is not keen to rush the migration
process unnecessarily.
"There is no pressure to migrate, but when we do, we expect a
smooth transition without any additional cost. Our current 10g
licenses will cover the upgrade," said Mortimer.
The benefits to the business will be easier compliance with
identity management regulations because of the new analytics
capabilities that will identify any anomalies in the system.
"Our IDM management system is an important part of our business
strategy to allow greater interaction with customers, which is
where the system will be rolled-out first," said Mortimer.
Other business benefits will include reduced development time
for services and easier partnering with other organisations to
deliver services because of open standards and a simplified
architecture.
"The convergence of BEA and Oracle products has not impacted us
negatively at all. In fact, it has been the direct opposite. We now
have the best of both middleware products," said Mortimer.