Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top?

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top?

The biggest battle in enterprise software is the one shaping up between Oracle and SAP, as each party looks to gain the competitive edge that will allow it to undo the other. By Michael Vizard

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – The Oracle Advantage

The Oracle Advantage

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Control of the Oracle Database

Without data, enterprise applications are little more than empty containers. As the Oracle database platform evolves, it is becoming the data management system for enterprise applications.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – More Open Environment

Oracle has done a better job of embracing Web- and Java-based application development paradigms that are familiar to a broader number of developers.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Customer Relationship Management

Due to its acquisitions of Siebel and PeopleSoft, Oracle has a deeper knowledge of business processes, driven more often than not by front-end CRM (customer relationship management) applications.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Middleware

Oracle isnt that much better than SAP in this category, but at least Oracle has recognized its weakness in the middleware area enough to try and acquire BEA.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Midmarket Channel

Oracle has a stronger history in the channel than SAP, and, as such, has a better ability to leverage third-party solution providers in the small and midsize business market.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Sales Culture

Like it or not, the Oracle sales culture usually gets results.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Flexibility

Oracle is a little more flexible in its approach to the business processes it will support, compared with the more hierarchical SAP model.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Global Development Teams

Oracle development teams work together around the globe with relatively equal levels of autonomy.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – More Third-Party Application Support

Years of working with ISVs on its database have created a stronger Oracle ecosystem.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Stronger OEM Partnerships

The Oracle database is a critical piece of enterprise software driving server sales for Dell and Hewlett-Packard (and making the latter companys sales force an extension of Oracle).

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – The SAP Advantage

The SAP Advantage

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Legions of Consultants

A large armys worth of business consultants owe their professional existence to SAP and help keep SAP the market leader.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – CIO Loyalty

Many CIOs have invested millions of dollars in SAP and have staked their careers on its continued success.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Partnership with IBM

IBM is probably one of the largest resellers of SAP software, on top of DB2 databases.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Partnership with Microsoft

Although SAP has ambitions in the SMB space in which Microsoft sells its own applications, a marriage of convenience results in a lot of Microsoft Office-to-SAP enterprise application work.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Open Source

Although SAP would balk at the idea of open-source application software, it provides tons of resources for the development of open-source infrastructure software-making more money available for SAP software.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Business Process Integration

Years of work in this area have resulted in a depth of expertise that is difficult to replicate.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Global Footprint

SAP has extended its enterprise application customer base around the world.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – German Engineering

Although it is sometimes seen as overly rigid, a reputation for attention to detail works in SAPs overall favor.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Vertical Market Penetration

Compared with Oracle, SAP has had more time to gain expertise across a broader array of industries.

Oracle vs. SAP: Which Will Come Out on Top? – Senior Management

Although both Oracle and SAP have experienced turmoil, SAPs more consistent approach at the top comforts customers.

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