Oracle users who don't attend the annual South African Oracle User Group (SAOUG) conference will not be equipped to maximise their investment in the technology.
That's according to Bryan Roestorf, SAOUG chairman, who reveals that new sessions and content are being added to this year's event, which takes place at Sun City from 6 to 8 October.
"The focus of the SAOUG is on helping Oracle users gain optimal returns from their investment. With this theme driving the conference, we have put together an agenda that, for the first time, features live demos from Oracle itself, a panel of experts accessible to all delegates, and insight into Oracle technology from the OakTable Network," he explains.
Technologies and services that Oracle Corporation will demonstrate at the event include its On-Demand Connection (ODC) a Web-based application that enhances the vendor's ability to support customers by enabling Oracle support engineers to remotely view a customer's desktop. To date, the application has decreased service request resolution time by 26%.
The company will also showcase support automation tools that equip Oracle users to identify and resolve problems faster.
New technologies that will be exhibited include Oracle Collaboration Suite, and its data warehousing, business intelligence tools.
A brand new initiative puts Oracle gurus at the disposal of the delegates. Dubbed 'Espresso with the Experts', these sessions give delegates an opportunity to interact with top independent Oracle technologists from a range of companies in a private, one-on-one session, for a full hour.
"Delegates are advised to book their session with the experts early as there will be some limitations owing to time constraints," says Roestorf. Topical issues including workflow and process automation, business intelligence, e-business architecture and blueprint, e-learning, and many more will be addressed in the Espresso with the Experts sessions.
For the first time in SA, the SAOUG is pleased to announce the participation of the Oak Table Network, an internationally renowned group of Oracle scientists who make their living from their expertise with the Oracle database engine and their skill at handling performance issues. "The group will discuss intriguing technical issues and will even give delegates the chance to challenge them with any technical Oracle-related questions," says Roestorf.
"If the Oak Table Network can't provide a solution to a theoretically possible problem within 24 hours, a prize is awarded. Think of your toughest question, then come and visit the OakTable in the exhibition hall," he continues.
In addition to the new sessions and content which promise to make this year's event more beneficial than ever, the conference includes an exhibition of products and services from Oracle partners, vendors and users, making it the prime event for Oracle users to interact, learn and gain knowledge to improve the performance of their businesses.
For more information about fees, speakers and the conference programme, visit the SAOUG Web site at www.saoug.co.za or contact the Conference Secretariat, c/o Upavon Conferences on (011) 805-6616 or by e-mail to upavon@icon.co.za.
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The South African Oracle User Group (SAOUG) is a non-profit organisation that is a separate entity from Oracle Corporation. The SAOUG has a board of directors made up of six users and a general manager that manages the day-to-day operations.
The SAOUG incorporates technology and applications users and is the only Oracle user group in the nation that has been officially acknowledged by Oracle SA.
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