Oracle Groupware Solution Wins "Supplier Shoot-Out" at Workgroup Computing Show

Strategic Insights -

Oracle, the leading software company, has emerged victorious in the "Supplier Shoot-Out" competition at the Workgroup Computing Show held in the UK. The company's groupware solution outperformed its competitors, Lotus, Microsoft, Novell, IBM, and Digital, in terms of cost-effectiveness and implementation time. Oracle's solution was chosen for its comprehensive understanding of the customer's needs, complete solution offering, and ability to meet the challenging timetable and budget set by the customer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Oracle's groupware solution was selected as the winner of the "Supplier Shoot-Out" competition at the Workgroup Computing Show due to its understanding of the customer's problem, completeness of its solution, and meeting of its competitive timetable and budget.
  • The Oracle solution addressed all of the company's concerns, including legacy office systems, multiple servers, multiple clients, lack of IT standards, work productivity, and information technology utilization.
  • Oracle proposed a rollout of 5 months, compared to up to 3 years by some competitors, making it a more cost-effective and time-efficient solution.
  • The solution included products such as Oracle Office messaging server and clients, X.400 Gateway, and IBM PROFS Gateway, which enabled cross-system communication, scheduling, and mobile access.
  • Oracle7 and Oracle Developer/2000 were used to improve customer service in the customer support department, while Oracle Library and Oracle Book streamlined review processes and allowed electronic document distribution on the World Wide Web.

Statistics:

  • Oracle's solution was chosen over five other major groupware market players, including Lotus, Microsoft, Novell, IBM, and Digital.
  • The customer, British Manufacturing Company, employed 800 people at its headquarters in Swindon, U.K., plus three regional offices.
  • The company planned to expand further into Europe, necessitating a company-wide information-sharing system.
  • The Oracle solution included a rollout period of 5 months, compared to up to 3 years by some competitors.
  • The solution utilized products such as Oracle Office messaging server and clients, X.400 Gateway, and IBM PROFS Gateway to enable cross-system communication, scheduling, and mobile access.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire, "Oracle Groupware Solution Beats Lotus, Microsoft, Novell, IBM and Digital on Cost-Effectiveness and Implementation Time" (April 25, 1995)
  • Oracle Corporation, "Contact Dawn Echols, 415-506-4176"