Oracle aggresively targets small businesses

By Ambrose McNevin on Oct 27, 2006 9:43 AM
Filed under Software

Database firm kicks off grand plan for SMB market domination.

Oracle’s has come out fighting after revealing plans earlier this week that it is to develop software bundles targeted to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses.

"Our goal is simple: to become the number one provider of applications to small and medium businesses," said Tony Kender, who heads up the newly-formed new SMB global business unit at Oracle.

The database giant will offer 80 product- and industry-specific packages based on its Oracle E-business Suite, JDEdwards, Siebel and Peoplesoft products. The bundles will be sold by a new reseller-focused global business unit. The plan is for resellers to take these products to market and customise where necessary.

The firm told vnunet.com: "Oracle's SMB Applications Business Unit is a new global organisation providing sales programs and channel enablement infrastructure to the SMB go-to-market strategy. These teams work with the field sales and channel managers to drive SMB apps revenue.”

It added that an SMB Solutions Office will focus on recruiting partners into the Oracle Accelerate Program; while sales programs will drive global sales promotions and lead-generation campaigns, in addition to partner programs and a new tiered reseller loyalty program.

"This new SMB-specific content provides partners with valuable resources used by Oracle's own direct sales team, ensuring that partners are equipped with the up-to-date tools to sell Oracle software and effectively compete in the SMB space," the firm added.