Oracle introduces fast track membership for its partner programme

For an annual membership fee of $300, OPN QuickStart members enjoy rapid access to enrollment, a distribution agreement, and all OPN development, education, marketing and selling opportunities. As a QuickStart member they will have access to all publicly scheduled product training from Oracle University at a 35% discounted rate. They will also be entitled to order a free copy of Oracle Database 10g Standard Edition One.

OPN QuickStart helps its members meet the needs of smaller companies looking to acquire robust and scalable technology at affordable prices. Partners can capitalise on the growing market demand for Oracle Database 10g Standard Edition One, sales of which have increased on average 300% quarter on quarter up to the end of Oracle's fiscal 2004 in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). OPN QuickStart is available now across EMEA and Oracle expects to sign up to 3,000 partners during the first year.

"We have enjoyed great success with Oracle Database Standard Edition One since its launch last year and so the introduction of the OPN QuickStart program is something we are excited about," said Eliot Shepherd, Marketing Director,Tech Data FZ-LLC, in Dubai. "Moreover, the OPN QuickStart programme's targeted small and medium-sized business segment will definitely see tremendous value in the accessibility to Oracle's leading database technology and the accelerated route it offers resellers to become Oracle Partners. The initial response has been upbeat and we are excited about playing a pro-active role in introducing the program to our reseller base."

Membership to OPN has grown 15% from fiscal 2003 to 2004 in EMEA and Oracle is continually finding new ways to support partners. "We developed OPN QuickStart to help partners sell more products, faster, in a growing market sector," said Hisham Essadi, Manager of Channel and Alliances at Oracle Middle East. "With Oracle Database 10g Standard Edition One, smaller companies can enjoy the same scalability, reliability and security as larger enterprises."

Recent initiatives designed to help Oracle partners
•Tune in to OPN TV
With five channels, ranging from Daily News to OPN Doctor, from Business News to Sharing Vision, partners can watch programming online and get the latest updates on how to optimise business efficiency with Oracle. Due to be live this month in EMEA, new and existing partners can watch at http://partner.oracle.com. This is one of the new ways that Oracle is interacting with its partners.
"OPN TV is an excellent tool. It's a fast and easy way to find out all the news and learn everything we need to know about Oracle."
David De Bremaecker, account manager, AB Computing S.A, Belgium

•Free Web Conferencing
Beginning in September, OPN members can access Oracle Web Conferencing capabilities for no charge. Through the OPN portal page, partners can access Oracle Web Conferencing capabilities that enables meetings, real-time collaboration and communication with colleagues, customers, prospects and other partners, right from a desktop. Depending on their OPN member level, partners can access between 50 and 100 free conferences per year. On-demand sessions will enable activities such as sales demonstrations, marketing seminars, product launches, real-time problem diagnosis and resolutions, collaborative customer support and employee, customer and partner training sessions.

•Over 1000 ISV Solutions Sent to Over 1 Million Potential Customers
From a bakery to a dentist, from a supermarket to a law firm, all have specific IT requirements that Oracle's ISVs solutions can meet. Starting this month, a Solutions Catalogue, available in five languages, including English, French, German, Spanish and Hungarian, will be distributed across the region. The catalogue, available on CD, has a web interface and leads will be passed directly to the partner.
"We decided to put our Portal System Integrator on the catalogue as we are targeting smaller companies with this solution, so anything that helps drive business our way is welcome." Alfredo Sánchez, director, CRONOS Ibérica, Spain

•Oracle Delivers Over 20, 000 Training Days in 12 Months to Partners
Oracle is committed to partner training and has delivered over 20 000 training days in 12 months to partners. The Oracle Competency Centre also went live in EMEA and within the first month over 2,500 partners visited the site. It provides users with a personalised training roadmap, analysing current knowledge and directing the user to appropriate training resources enabling them to achieve the required level of excellence.

•Over 5 000 delegates attend Oracle PartnerNetwork Days in eight cities across EMEA
Oracle has designed dedicated events providing new and existing partners with the opportunity to meet with Oracle executives, learn about Oracle products and vision, and network with other partners. Cities visited include: London; Madrid; Warsaw; Milan; Stockholm; Dubai; Utrecht; Johannesburg. Oracle will continue the roadshow next year in cities across the region. Dates and locations will be announced later this year.