The Feature

Attending the Oracle OpenWorld 2007

October 17, 2007 on 9:17 pm | by Marian Crkon | In Worth Noting | |  Print |  Email

Here is that time of the year again when Oracle opens its doors to its customers and partners and invites them all to the biggest party on the block, the Oracle OpenWorld 2007, November 11-15th at Moscone Center in San Francisco. It is also that time of the year when Oracle professionals have to decide whether to go to San Francisco, or not, and what to expect if we go there.

This is my first time at the OOW. Oracle made my decision somewhat easier this time by inviting Oracle bloggers to attend the conference. I appreciate the gesture and the recognition of a vibrant blogging community. Take this as my first disclosure for anything I write from the OOW and know that Oracle waived my registration fee.

The OOW 2007 promises to be bigger and better than ever [I am not sure bigger is better in this case]. The conference motto is “Learn, Experience and Connect” and it will be interesting to see how that works out with 1,600 planned sessions in five days! In addition to some usual agenda items like executive keynotes and solution sessions, expert tracks and sessions, partner demos, hands-on labs, etc. I am excited to see few conference experiments. It will be interesting to check out:

OpenWorld Connect

The Open World Connect is an online tool for attendees to network with peers, schedule meetings, establish and join interest groups, chat in real time, etc. I believe you can only sign up for the OOW Connect if you are a registered conference attendee. However, there are several RSS feeds you can subscribe to stay connected with the happennigs at the conference:

• Oracle Technology Network (OTN)
• Oracle Partners Network (OPN)
• Oracle Applications Users Group
• IOUG
• E-Business Suite Financials
• eBusiness Suite 12i Upgraders
• Oracle Bloggers

OpenWorld Unconference

This one should be interesting. For the first time ever at Oracle OpenWorld, attendees will have the opportunity to directly participate by presenting their own session or workshop on a topic they’re passionate about, in an informal, interactive setting.

What I Hope For

I am hoping to learn about new features, functionality, and solutions in eBusiness Suite 11i and 12. I would also like to know the current status of Fusion Applications, especially in the light of the rumored resignation of John Wookey. I am also hoping to get more involved with the SIG groups and meet in person many of my peers that I only know by name.

When reviewing the eBusiness Suite tracks, several sessions caught my attention, including:

• OAUG XML Publisher SIG The OAUG XML Publisher SIG will discuss topics on Oracle XML Publisher, a Java-based product within the Oracle Fusion Middleware family.

• OAUG Accounts Payable SIG A discussion on current AP Best Practices, the latest in AP Technologies and an opportunity to interact with members of the Oracle Product Management team.

• OAUG Projects SIG The OAUG Projects SIG will address topics of interest to those using Oracle Projects applications with opportunities for networking and sharing ideas.

• OAUG Fusion Council The OAUG Fusion Council assists in keeping the user community current on the vision for next-generation enterprise technologies, applications and services that will revolutionize business. This involves PeopleSoft, E-Business Suite and JD Edwards.

• Oracle E-Business Suite Financials Release 12 and Beyond In addition to new architectural components, Oracle E-Business Suite Financials Release 12 has hundreds of other new features. I am planning to attend this session to gain an understanding of the value these new features offer customers, and get a glimpse of what’s being planned for the next Oracle E-Business Suite Financials release.

• Oracle and Web 2.0: Applying the Principles of Social Networks, Collaboration, and the New Web to How Oracle Does Business This is the session I am most excited about! The Web 2.0 technology such as wikis, blogs, and tagging are just enablers for a new kind of organization. … [we should] hear about the trends that matter and see live examples of how Oracle is improving its operations inside the strategy organization via the new Web.

• Real Estate Store Construction and Refurbishment with Oracle Projects and Oracle Property Manager Learn how Oracle Projects and Oracle Financials can manage the full lifecycle of a facility: from initial site selection through construction, store opening, and refurbishment.

• Oracle Projects: You’ve Got Questions; We’ve Got Answers In-depth answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the latest functionality available in Oracle Projects. It highlights real-world examples gathered from customers and partners.

• Leverage the Power of Billing Extensions in Oracle Projects: Five Common Requirements Met This session shows how to solve five common problems by using extensions.

• Personalizing and Extending Oracle E-Business Suite by Using the Oracle Applications Framework This case study examines best practices learned in implementing, personalizing, and extending an Oracle E-Business Suite application by use of the Oracle Applications Framework.

Hope to see you in San Francisco! If you are not planning on attending, stay connected by using the available online resources, including this and other Oracle blogs…