The Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) announced that most Oracle-based enterprises intend to upgrade to Oracle's Fusion middleware infrastructure within the next two years, according to a survey carried out in partnership with Noetix. The figures suggest that over 40% of Oracle-based enterprises will increase spending in 2008 to bring in new middleware solutions.

However the survey also noted that one in four enterprises are uncertain of the value of middleware to their operations.

API Group, based in Macclesfield, produces specialist packaging materials for luxury goods brands. It has over 1,000 employees worldwide, turning over £120m. API Group director of information systems Iain Anderson was reported by Computer Weekly as saying that API's strategic investment in Oracle E-Business Suite as a platform for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) "has revolutionised the way the business presents and looks at itself both internally and externally".

Oracle was implemented to replace a collection of disparate legacy accounting applications. It was implemented with some configuration but no "intrusive customisation".

Want to know why you should upgrade Oracle E-Business Suite Human Resources (HRMS) to Release 12? Here are a few reasons to get you started:

• » Global standardisation - be able to apply standards throughout a global organisation and achieve global visibility of resources (e.g. demographics) to drive better decision making


• » Apply best practices such as offering lifecycle benefit programmes, linking core competency data with job assessment documentation to drive performance optimisation, developing and documenting universal workforce management practices and eliminating redundant processes.


• » Improve HR productivity, including reduction in printing costs, payroll errors, recruiting costs and benefit enrollment fees


• » Premier Support is available from Oracle until January 2012


• » Ability to choose between E-Business Suite updates and a move to Fusion

A whitepaper on this topic released by Oracle is available here

After being asked a couple of times where the official documentation for Oracle E-Business Suite R12 is, note that R12.0.4 documentation set can be found at http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B40089_09/current/html/docset.html

[Note that the UK-specific HRMS documentation is included at this location, no need to go elsewhere for this.]

If you are interested in an overview of E-Business Suite, then read the Oracle Applications Concepts guide (part number B31450-04). In particular chapter one gives a useful grounding. It discusses topics such as the desktop tier, the application tier, web services, form services, business intelligence and the technology layer (explaining terms such as AK, AU, FND etc.)

Oracle announced today that Korean Air, one of the largest airline companies in Asia, with 102 passenger and 23 cargo aircraft in its fleet, has decided to integrate Oracle’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) applications in a bid to drive increased competitiveness.

Sang-Man Lee, the Korean Air spokesman said "We selected Oracle as it offers the most comprehensive solutions that are tailored to meet our specific business needs. Other key considerations for selecting Oracle included: ease of use and deployment of the system. The new Oracle Applications system will enable Korean Air to improve its process efficiencies, service levels and regulatory compliance".

DB Consulting has a wealth of experience in the airline sector including large scheduled carriers and charter operations.