Six SaaS and Cloud Plays for Oracle Partners

Everyone in the technology space is trying to decode the growth strategies represented by software as a service (SaaS) & Cloud.  Oracle partners are no different.  Like most headline garnering tech trends it’s hard to sift through the hyperbole to find firm ground.  So as you pull the wrapper off the 2010 daily planner, take a look at these 6 areas where Oracle partners are finding traction…

1) A decade of successful SaaS applications. The most mature of the cloud opportunities is the SaaS application space. Both pure play SaaS vendors as well as established ISVs have leveraged The Oracle Platform for SaaS over the past decade.  Scratch below the surface of a successful SaaS application and you’re likely to find Oracle.  For the cliff notes summary of SaaS ISV success read these 18 quotes or read the full case studies.

2) ISVs launch new SaaS offerings.  ISVs asked Oracle for a more flexible, pay as you go model to get started with the Oracle Platform for SaaS.  We listened and in July 2009 launched the new SaaS for ISVs licensing model.  Interest in the new model has been very high.  For more info check out the OPN SaaS Knowledge Zone or check out my blog for info and videos.

3) Help ISVs as they transition to SaaS.  ISVs often need help building and deploying SaaS applications.  Oracle works with managed hosting providers including OpSource, Rackspace, CSC, and AT&T that help ISVs get out of the business of running 24/7 customer facing datacenters as well as systems integrators like Persistent Systems, Sonata Software and Wipro that can provide an extra set of hands to get an application written and ready for SaaS deployment.

4) SaaS ISVs integrate to Oracle applications.  Many of the Oracle Validate Integrations are SaaS vendors that compliment Oracle applications to bring value to our mutual customers.  ISVs interested can find more info here.

5) Private Clouds provide opportunities for savvy systems integrators and resellers.  This may present the firmest ground beneath the cloud.  This is the evolution of grid, virtualization and utility computing trends that will shape the architecture strategies for next generation datacenters.  Anyone serious about this play should read the whitepaper: Platform-as-a-Service Private Cloud with Oracle Fusion Middleware to get a glimpse at how much opportunity this will create for those with deep Oracle skills.  And those that prefer a quick Q&A to whitepapers should check out this recent interview with Richard Sarwal, SVP Product Development for Oracle Enterprise Manager.

6) The Public Cloud provides a good environment for test and development.  VARs, SIs, and ISVs have leveraged Amazon Web Services and the AMIs that have been built for Oracle products including Oracle Database and WebLogic Server.  Check out Oracle Cloud Computing Center for the latest info.

Hopefully these 6 ideas keep you busy.  I had 7 ideas but I needed to go finish my xmas shopping!  Got to hold something back for my own personal blog over on Oracle.com.

For ISVs interested in the Oracle Platform for SaaS, join me January 26, 2010 for a webcast featuring David Novak, Executive Vice President of Sales & Business Development from SPS Commerce.

Best of luck in the new year!

Kevin O’Brien is the Senior Director of ISV and SaaS Strategy for Worldwide Alliances & Channels at Oracle. You can follow him on his blog at http://blogs.oracle.com/kevin/. Monthly guest blogs such as this one are part of The VAR Guy’s annual sponsorship.

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