Valued at over $26 billion and ranked as one of the most valuable global brands, Oracle has established itself as one of the largest businesses in the world. Oracle is dedicated to ensuring people view and use data in different ways, discover insights and create new opportunities. The business creates, manufacturers and sell innovative hardware and software products to multiple sectors. Acquisitions have played a major part in developing the Oracle brand and delivering new technological solutions.

Business Progressions with Acquisitions

During 2018 Oracle completed a number of acquisitions, ensuring the business remained at the forefront of technological progression in the industry. Earlier this year, Oracle acquired Zenedge to integrated a market-leading cloud application and network security services, providing an added protective service for its users. In April, Oracle acquired SparklineData to combine its PaaS services to support customers moving to big data solutions. Oracle also signed a deal to take over DataScience.com, supporting the management of data science tools, projects and infrastructure in the workspace. 

Most recently Oracle acquired DataFox and goBalto in October, in a move which Oracle believes will enhance their cloud applications, enabling customers to generate better decisions and business outcomes. 

Improving Services with stronger partnerships

During 2018, Oracle created a strong partnership with FireEye, creating the first Oracle cloud solution for FireEye. The collaboration supports customers in moving to the cloud environment, offering a flexible, cost-effective, secure and simplistic offering. At the beginning of 2019, the US-based technology company confirmed another partnership with the VANTA network, focusing on expanding its reach to both consumers and enterprise customers. 

A strategy for introducing new technology

Oracle is continuously looking to introduce the latest technology with a goal of enhancing business operations. Oracle is exploring methods to support the migration of infrastructure to the latest cloud platform services. This will involve all corporate applications being hosted on the oracle next-gen cloud. A move like this will reduce overall infrastructure costs and reduce both space and power consumption worldwide. Cloud migration, or data centre consolidation is moving ahead and will support the reduced requirement for physical data centres and the increased demand for flexible infrastructure services.

Introducing emerging and disruptive technologies

To ensure businesses are equipped with the tools to utilise innovation, Oracle has confirmed a continued focus on emerging technologies in Oracle Cloud, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain, IoT and other human systems. Oracle is dedicated to ensuring emerging technologies are available and readily accessible across its cloud services. To support its customers and ensure they can utilise new technologies, Oracle has implemented a number of innovative technologies into its services and generate new products into its platform to allow customers to take advantage of each service.

Oracle has integrated machine learning and AI into its cloud services. The Oracle CX application includes embedded AI tools that improve better predictions for selected services, automating answers and providing a more personal service. Oracle also integrated machine learning into its security services to support the detection of potential security threats. 

Research and Development Focus

Oracle continues to make a significant investment in research and development to ensure the business delivers innovative solutions. Net investment for 2019 is believed to be just over $6 billion USD. The company in-house R&D facilities are constantly exploring a range of new products that are applied to global business operations. The technology combined with other applications creates a competitive advantage for its product offerings.

Supporting Industry Transformation

The market is experiencing significant transformation, supported by a considerable rise in new technology services. Oracle is investing heavily in new technology, delivering insights and solutions for digital customers. Oracle’s dedication to innovation is a driving force that ensures it remains an industry leader. Their continued investment plans in research and development and focuses on providing the highest quality service has enabled Oracle to support customers in meeting their goals. Their new products and services are supporting industry transformation, utilising the potential of disruptive services and successfully meet rising regulatory demands.

Anaplan, leading business in connected planning has confirmed it has been named on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, an established list of the 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecoms, life science and energy tech companies within North America.

Frank Calderoni, chairman and CEO of Anaplan believes it is an honour to be recognised by Deloitte for the third year running. Calderoni states that as businesses try to manage their performance during economic uncertainty, business leaders are utilising the Anaplan Connected Planning platform to execute informed and real-time decisions with confidence, providing them with a competitive advantage within their selected market.

Sandra Shirai, the vice chairman of Deloitte and US technology, media and telecoms leader explains that this is the 25th anniversary of their Technology Fast 500 awards. Shirai highlights that once again the list included considerable innovation, with software businesses continuing to dominate the top ten. Shirai stated that it was very positive and inspiring to see how each company was influencing and transforming business activities within the world we live in.

With continued technological innovation, it comes as no surprise that software businesses continue to dominate the winning list again this year. Mohana Dissanayake, a partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP believes it is exciting that we have 25 years of innovation stories to reflect upon, including businesses that are pushing innovation, supporting organisations in becoming more productive and efficient. 

About Deloitte’s 2019 Technology Fast 500™

Now in its 25th year, Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 includes a rank of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies across North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2015 to 2018. 

About Anaplan

Anaplan is a market leader in  Connected Planning. Supported by Hyperblock™ technology, purpose-built for Connected Planning, provides dynamic, collaborative, and intelligent planning. Big global enterprises use our solution to connect people, data, and plans to enable real-time planning and decision-making in rapidly evolving business environments to provide customers with a competitive edge.

Anaplan has confirmed the release of Intelligent Forecasting, an integrated artificial intelligence focused sales solution created in collaboration with Salesforce. Intelligent Forecasting will enable sales managers to combine opportunity data from Salesforce Sales Cloud and data from Anaplan forecasting models, utilising analytical services from Salesforce to offer AI-supported variables to measure win rates.

Chris Badger, the director of technology partnerships at Anaplan explains that sales leaders can measure opportunities within their entire business, creating predictions to ensure you stay close to the most likely deals and share accurate sales forecasts with other members. Badger highlights that for decision-makers the solution can ensure less time is spent on aggregating and compiling data and instead spend more time developing and executing important plans.

Badger highlights the solution will enable sales professionals to leverage data systems to make more informed decisions at a quicker rate. Whilst primarily targeted for sales forecasted, Intelligent Forecasting isn’t limited to sales. The system can be used across a number of divisions including marketing, finance, supply chain and many more.

Digital professionals today are becoming more innovative and technologically capable than ever before. Digital teams are moving away from traditional sales techniques and instead are expecting new, personalised and more engaging presentations. On a similar level, sales professionals are taking advantage of all modern channels and understand the new types of engagement that today’s buyers expect.
Whilst it may sound like both sides are working together, many sales professionals lack the right tools to measure, engage, qualify and convert leads and many presentations and pitches fail to meet the expected quality of engagement. To combat this area, Oracle is creating a new digital sales solution catering for high-volume sellers, business development and account managers, providing an efficient and rapid service.

The system includes:

-High Speed – A new UI support sales professionals with qualifying opportunities quicker and move on from other ‘weak’ opportunities.
-Efficient Service – An automated, efficient service with shortcuts and support from a digital assistant decreasing the time spent on data entry and other time-consuming tasks.
-Prescriptive Technology – The new solution offers constant reminders, real-time support and artificial intelligence (AI) recommendations that enable sales representatives too important to not act upon.

Oracle Digital Sales combines an intuitive and guided selling service with AI, data, automation and integrated voice and sales services that are primarily created to support how digital sales professionals work. Oracle believes the new systems will help sales reps focus more of their efforts on leads and potential deals and reducing time spent on data entry and updating CRM systems. For example, a sales professional using a conventional CRM system would be required to make in excess of 15 data entries and clicks to find a lead or make a call.

With Oracle Digital Sales solution, all of these activities have been integrated into a singular system that only requires several data entries and clicks. Sales professionals can ask Oracle to search key information such as when new leads have been assigned, but also add particular products or updates to a lead or opportunity without having to search for the transaction. The home screen is continuously updated with notifications that require attention or links to access specific records. With a consolidated interface, sales reps can be ready to develop relevant and informed conversations each time they engage. AI is implemented within the system to offer additional support on which leads to focus on and details in terms of prioritising tasks.

After a valuation of $1 billion earlier this year, OneStream Software LLC has confirmed the appointment of a new CFO with a strong finance background with Microsoft and other leading technology businesses. Bill Koeford starts at a company that has experienced significant growth, thanks partly to a $500 million investments from US-based private equity company KKR & Co. Inc. Koeford’s initial task will be to develop a specific financial planning and analysis team, with guided support from OneStream software. Koefoed stated that it wasn’t often you get an opportunity to be a CFO of a business that is developing software for CFOs.

Launched in 2010, OneStream specialises in developing software that offers a simplistic option for financial consolidation, planning, reporting, analytics and financial data. OneStream has a large number of clients using its services, including UPS, Fruit of the Loom, Carlyle Group and Melrose PLC.

OneStream founder and CEO Tom Shea state that the business will work on creating an initial public offering, but Koefoed said he couldn’t confirm a timeline on when this will happen. Company revenue exceeded $88 million last year and achieved 68% year-over-year sales growth in H1 of 2019. It now has in excess of 370 global customers and employs 415 people worldwide, of which 200 were hired in the last year.

OneStream believes its cloud-based OneStream XF platform as a disruptor of corporate performance management software, an area they believe has lacked any real developments in recent years.

Cloud-based systems are rapidly transforming the way companies operate, from hiring and human resources to operations and supply-chain management. Koeford relates OneStream to innovative cloud-based technology businesses such as Salesforce and Workday, but OneSteam is the first firm to integrate smoothly for CFO’s.

A new report by Protiviti has stated that data, privacy, analytics and customer service are the main priorities within the finance market. The report called ‘Today’s Finance Priorities: Security, Data, Analytics and Internal Customers’ states that CFO’s and other finance industry leaders are equally focused on strategic and operational issues.

The report explains that businesses are focused on innovative systems including robotic process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, predictive analytics and cloud-based systems. According to the report, the top priorities for finance industry leaders are:

Security and privacy of data – 84%
Enhanced data analytics – 79%
Process improvement: process and data analytics – 75%
Changing demand and expectations of internal customers – 73%
Embracing new technologies – 73%
Internal controls – 73%
Accounting and finance implications of IT – 72%
Financial planning and analysis – 71%
Strategic planning – 71%
Profitability reporting and analysis – 70%

In addition to these high priorities are key areas identified by finance leader to enhance knowledge and capabilities over the next year:

Embracing new technologies – 73%
Recruiting and retaining talent – 70%
Leadership (withing the organization) – 69%
Working effectively with outside parties – 65%
Six Sigma/continuous improvement – 65%
Coaching/mentoring – 62%
Soft skills – 62%
Change management – 61%

Finance leaders are clearly taking a more active role in ensuring their business is protected against potential data attacks and other threats. The report highlights that CFOs are now taking a more active role in ensuring their business is completely protected against potential data attacks and other threats. Cyber Security is becoming a larger focus for many businesses. Representing the main finance position in business, CFOs have a lot of pressure in maintaining valuable information assets and avoiding any potential compliance or data privacy issues.
The Protiviti report highlights that continued and significant shifts in business priorities and the role of CFOs, driven largely by the increased emphasis on using data as a key resource. The report explains that finance leaders are more dedicated to meeting the increased expectations of internal customers. Finance executives are more concerned with data security, privacy and governance and ensuring financial planning and management reports generate more insights to stakeholders.

With new opportunities come new threats to businesses, including data breaches and it seems that business leaders are looking at their CFOs and finance leaders to implement the changes needed to tackle data security. Protiviti surveyed over 800 global finance leaders and 84% stated that data security and privacy were top priorities. Based on the number of data attacks affecting businesses today, it is no surprise that security and data privacy are viewed as key priorities for finance businesses. Chris Wright, managing director of Protiviti explains that a data breach can have severe financial implications and an impact on business reputation. As the number of cyberattacks increases, finance leaders need to ensure they have the budget and resources available to tackle security and data protection.

Over 70% of CFO and VPs of finance believe strategic planning is one of the key areas that need additional focus. This emphasises the need for finance members to focus on strategy, including daily operations, financial and transaction matters. The data-focused approach of today’s financial market makes the role of CFOs essential in delivering strategy, particularly when it comes to measuring trends and other patterns. Finance leaders are focused beyond financial issues, but also expected to generate insights that really transform and support business decisions. As a result, data analysis is critical and CFO customers are continually seeking a financial system that offers real-time information, detailed insights and enhanced analytics concerning the financial and operational performance of a business.

Approximately 80% of finance leaders pointed to data analytics as a top priority for finance in enhancing knowledge and improving their capabilities. Meeting rising demands and requirements of internal customers is a driving force finance team. Finance leaders want to really focus on security and data management capabilities and improve how these systems can meet the changing requirements of internal customers. The report suggests that failing to make clear progress in data protection and leveraging data insights could result in a potential failure in meeting strategic business expectations.

The introduction of Cloud Native enables industry leaders the flexibility to incorporate 5G, IoT and deliver innovative digital business systems. Digital companies today are radically transforming their monetization systems in order to manage rising demands for 5G and other new digital services.

The new cloud-native system from Oracle Communications for Billing and Revenue Management (BRM) Cloud-native deployment option gives market leaders the agility to embrace 5G, IoT and future digital business models, enabling businesses to meet requirements by integrating the features of an established charging network with the performance and agility of cloud systems.
The Cloud Native option offers a new monetization solution to utilise the opportunities available in digital services. The option supports any industry, providing a platform for 5G networking.

Industry analysts have highlighted that the latest version of Oracle’s Billing and Revenue Management solution is well placed to enhance the business’s ability to support new 5G focused cases. Cloud-native offers internal IT teams to integrate DevOps procedures to enable and launch new services efficiently. Businesses can improve their operations by effectively managing business development with improved scaling and simpler updates. Billing and Revenue Management improves technology agility even further when implementing Oracle’s next-gen Cloud infrastructure, offering autonomous services, adaptive intelligence, and machine learning security options.

Jason Rutherford, the senior VP and general manager at Oracle Communications believes service providers and businesses are actively looking for agile solutions to take advantage of 5G and IoT services. Rutherford highlights that Cloud Native BRM launched on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure enables customers to operate efficiently, respond to competitors and introduce new pricing and business models that take advantage of digital innovation.

Most businesses are transforming their focus and continuing to incorporate advanced data and analytical systems. Analytics has been proven to not only add value to business performance, as well as increase profits but also generates a number of other opportunities. Yet, many companies are struggling to take full advantage of the benefits of data and analytics. There are several challenges that businesses need to address before they can really utilise the benefits of data and analytics.

For one, data continues to be spread across multiple systems and sourcing and data management continue to be performed manually. Data industry experts are relatively scarce, yet the availability of data and information, along with security regulations are continuing to rise. In order to become more reliant on information and access the insights provided by data today mean businesses need to address these challenges and understand the real potential of analytics.

Creating a data plan for your business

Businesses need to ensure they maintain a clear strategy that connects with business goals. Any data or analytics projects need to clearly identify their value and show how this corresponds with overall business objectives. Investing further into innovative technologies such as AI and Machine Learning can support automation of some processes, reducing time spent on data management.

Delivering data in company culture

Creating a data-driven culture is vital to determine your business from other companies. Incorporating data into company culture is critical to ensure people connect decision making with data and information. This process requires effective communication of data strategies across all teams and departments within a business.  In order to progress and be an agile business, company culture needs to incorporate data and innovation and exactly how data and analytics are tools for your business.

As more businesses transform towards data, data professionals need to really emphasise the value. Incorporating new data tools and aligning these with business strategy will enable data leaders to highlight the potential benefits and investment returns that many business leaders are looking to see.

Despite years of competition, VMware and Oracle have confirmed they are partnering to allow users to operate VMware workloads on Oracle cloud infrastructures and applications. Historically, both businesses have had a rather hostile relationship but the two rival companies have sealed an agreement that both businesses believe will improve application management and allow for further cloud development. Oracle has shown its support towards VMware and its position in the data centre. On the other side, VMware has supported customers in transferring workloads to Oracle Generation 2 Cloud Infrastructure. Larger businesses that implement Oracle and VMware systems are likely to benefit from the confirmed relationship between the two rival businesses. 

A historical insight of Oracle and VMware For years, both businesses have had conflicting opinions. Oracle created virtualisation software to effectively compete with VMware, but this gained little support. Research analysts state that for years Oracle resisted cooperation with VMware, refusing to acknowledge VMware’s position and provide customers operating the software on VMware VMs. As a result, many companies experienced difficulties in managing Oracle or VMware errors. 

Fast forward to today, both businesses support their joint clients. Many companies are likely to benefit from this partnership, providing the necessary foundations for many company’s systems; including VMware’s virtualisation line and database management systems provided by Oracle. 

A transition from legacy systems 

Businesses are continuously transferring from conventional on-premise centres and towards the public cloud. IDC has suggested global investment in public cloud systems will increase from $210 billion in 2019 to $370 billion in 2022. Many companies now use a combination of private, hybrid and public cloud systems. These businesses commonly experience challenges in shifting and managing applications due to a contrasting mix of on-premise and cloud-based designs. Companies like these tend to manage a number of autonomous groups, covering legacy and cloud service systems individually. ANalysts believes that this process is becoming inefficient as cloud management consumes more workload. 

Instead of launching a number of management tools, all requiring separate support, many companies are now looking for one set of tools that meets all requirements. 

Impact of VMware-Oracle partnership 

The resulting partnership will provide VMware and Oracle customers with added flexibility, meaning businesses will no longer need to retest systems when moving to the cloud. Both vendors will equally benefit from the agreement where Oracle required more load for OCI and VMware is actively looking to get their software in the cloud. VMware has been attempting to position itself as a leader in the multi-cloud management industry. According to studies by IDC, over 90% of businesses operate at least one cloud application system. In order to provide multi-cloud management systems, VMware partnered with a number of public cloud organisations such as AWS, Microsoft and Google, and most recently Oracle. For now, the agreement will support larger companies, simplifying the challenges that develop when certain system errors occur. The long term implications are a little more uncertain regarding Oracle and its position in delivering public cloud services. Research by Gartner highlighted that Gen 1 of Oracle Cloud Solutions did not perform as expected. Oracle created a new architecture and is promoting it but industry members say it is too soon to say what impact it will have. Some industry members have said pricing might prove to be problematic. Legacy software tends to cost more than cloud systems and in the case of the recent agreement, Oracle and VMware both have high licensing fees, which could detract interest in their joint cloud services.