The VAR Guy

The Oracle vs. SAP battle has spilled over into social media, where the two software giants are taking decidedly different approaches to engaging channel partners. Here’s a look at each strategy and key milestones so far.

Oracle Channel Chief Judson Althoff (pictured), as expected, launched the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) Specialized program on December 2. Big surprises? Nope. Big implications? Yes. Here’s a look at Oracle’s latest partner program and potential implications for solutions providers.

So much for relaxing on Thanksgiving. Oracle Channel Chief Judson Althoff (pictured) and his team are preparing to launch Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) Specialized during a virtual event on Dec. 2. Here are some quick details.

Compiere, a small open source ERP software provider, is on track to grow its business 50 percent this year, driving 80 percent of company revenues through the channel. Next up, Compiere is striving to attract roughly 40 new VARs and integrators into the company’s channel partner program — which includes SaaS and on-premise approaches. Here’s the scoop.

At Oracle OpenWorld in San Francisco, Channel Chief Judson Althoff unveiled the Oracle PartnerNetwork Specialized program — which strives to connect customers with partners that have deep expertise in specific technologies and market segments. Here’s the scoop, plus a FastChat video with Althoff.

Oracle is taking coopetition to the max at the company’s OpenWorld conference in San Francisco. Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Dell all are major sponsors of the event. But Oracle CEO Larry Ellison apparently will share the stage with Sun Microsystems Co-founder Scott McNealy tonight during a keynote that starts shortly. Here’s the scoop.

At Oracle OpenWorld 2009, Channel Chief Judson Althoff opened his keynote by addressing the “small elephant in the room” — Oracle’s pending acquisition of Sun Microsystems. Here’s the scoop.

As Oracle OpenWorld 2009 kicks off today in San Francisco, Channel Chief Judson Althoff (pictured) and several other Oracle team members are talking up the company’s SaaS (software as a service) strategy for channel partners and ISVs (independent software vendors). Here’s the scoop.

When Oracle OpenWorld kicks off Oct. 11 in San Francisco, Channel Chief Judson Althoff will be unveiling a new Oracle Partner Program. Sounds intriguing. Next up, The VAR Guy wonders if Oracle has any SaaS surprises in store for partners attending the conference. Here’s the scoop.

Judson Althoff, Oracle’s senior VP of Worldwide Alliances and Channels, has received a virtual makeover. New suit? new tie? Not really. It’s something different. Here’s the scoop.

Oracle President Charles Phillips and his lieutenants seem to be warming up to bloggers. Sure, Oracle continues to strengthen its social media communications with channel partner. But the efforts don’t end there. Next up, Oracle and Phillips will host a few bloggers on August 5 at Oracle’s headquarters. Sounds sweet…

Rewind to June 16. That’s when Channel Chief Judson Althoff promised Oracle would get serious about social networks for partners. Now fast forward to July 7, when Althoff and Oracle President Charles Phillips will attempt to prove the social media point — during the Oracle Virtual Partner Kickoff event. Here’s the scoop.

Call it an open (video) letter from Oracle Channel Chief Judson Althoff to the company’s channel partners. In this quick video (bel0w), Althoff mentions some familiar ways to track Oracle’s partner program through social media. Earth-shattering news? Nope. But Oracle is adjusting the way it communicates with 21,000 channel partners. And that’s welcome news.

Next week will be a busy one for Oracle and its channel partners. The VAR Guy is under gag orders on some news. But here’s how you can get some info. Judson Althoff (pictured), group VP of worldwide alliances and channels, has blogged about Oracle’s upcoming North American Partner Expo, a virtual conference scheduled for March 19. Of keen interest to The VAR Guy: Apparently, the virtual event will offer some financial tips and business guidance to Oracle partners — particularly timely content in this economy.

Judson Althoff, group VP of worldwide alliances and channels at Oracle Corp., is putting a new spin on old partner training tactics. During a chat with The VAR Guy, Althoff says Oracle’s Enablement 2.0 partner strategy will leverage some lessons from the open source world.