Larry Ellison May Not Understand Cloud Computing but Oracle Is Doing It

December 19, 2008

Not long ago, Larry Ellison, the wizard who built Oracle to a multi-billion dollar colossus said he didn’t understand cloud computing. I don’t understand it either. I think the idea of a data center and a network connection is old hat. But today’s Brown University graduates enjoy coining new phrases to put lipstick on a very old pig. I liked the IBM data center. I got paid to terrorize people who needed their punch card decks run. What a power trip.

Now, AT&T and Oracle have fallen in love and will be offering a cloud-based subscription to that nifty enterprise system, PeopleSoft. You can read the TMCnet.com story “AT&T and Oracle Team for Subscription-Based PeopleSoft Solution for Midsize Businesses” here. The comment I found glinting like a diamond amidst the gray prose was:

Keith Block, executive vice president, Oracle North America Sales, said: “We are excited to work with AT&T to address the need for a cost-effective, predictably priced human resource service for companies that prefer to focus their efforts on their core differentiators. This is especially true in today’s uncertain economic climate where companies of all sizes are looking for ways to reduce costs, increase flexibility and decrease business risk.”

With a snappy description like this, maybe Mr. Ellison could not figure out that this was a cloud computing play. AT&T and Oracle have the Midas touch when it comes to making money. This venture might be the home run both companies need to make 2009 a banner year. However, both companies have to become agile, deal with latency, and deliver a service that outshines similar services already in the market. AT&T. Oracle. Agile? Absolutely. These companies can turn on a dime and their executives often work weekends at Cirque du Soleil. Such versatility is the norm. I wonder of Secure Enterprise Search 10g is part of the package? If you know, use the comments section to share your knowledge.

Stephen Arnold, December 19, 2008

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One Response to “Larry Ellison May Not Understand Cloud Computing but Oracle Is Doing It”

  1. Holiday Fun: Oracle in the Cloud | CloudAve on December 26th, 2008 9:35 am

    […] be checking out Cloud Avenue even during the holidays. Travel safe and have fun.Related Articles:Larry Ellison may not understand Cloud Computing but Oracle is doing it Posted Under : General Tags cloud computing oracle aws holidays Share this article: […]

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