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Oracle Applications
Users Group

OAUG eNews

 Global Users.
Global Solutions.
oaug.org September 25, 2006 Volume VI / Issue 18

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In This Issue

OAUG Call for Presentations Now Open for COLLABORATE 07: Technology and Applications Forum for the Oracle Community

COLLABORATE 07: Technology and Applications Forum for the Oracle Community

COLLABORATE 07: Technology and Applications Forum for the Oracle Community
April 15-19, 2007
Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada

The Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) invites the family of Oracle Applications users to share its ideas, innovations and solutions during the COLLABORATE 07: Technology and Applications Forum for the Oracle Community conference.

The call for presentations is now open and the deadline for submission is November 19, 2006. The OAUG seeks presentations on all Oracle Applications, including Oracle E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft, Siebel, Oracle Retail and Portal Software, as well as applications technology. Please consider sharing your knowledge with others and submit your presentation today!

For more information, including new COLLABORATE 07 tracks, areas of focus and presenter requirements, please refer to Presenter Information on the OAUG COLLABORATE 07 conference Web site.

OAUG News

President’s Corner

2006 OAUG President Patricia Dues

2006 OAUG President Patricia Dues

OAUG Insight Magazine

The Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) prides itself on offering its members several outstanding membership benefits, one of which is OAUG Insight magazine. Published quarterly, OAUG Insight provides OAUG members with valuable information for optimizing the day-to-day use and management of the growing family of Oracle Applications.

OAUG Insight is a constant in my professional library and I find myself frequently referring to its contents to help me maximize my organization’s return on investment in Oracle Applications.

The content within the pages of the magazine is developed by OAUG members and covers relevant technology topics, such as upgrades, implementations, support management and professional development. In addition, each issue features the latest and greatest information on OAUG programs and initiatives, geographic and special interest group news, and an update from Oracle’s senior management team.

If you aren’t already receiving OAUG Insight, I encourage you to take full advantage of this exceptional OAUG member benefit. Each OAUG member company is entitled to 10 magazine subscriptions. Take the time today to activate your subscription by calling the OAUG Membership Department at +1 404.240.0897 or sending an e-mail to membership@oaug.com.

 — Patricia Dues, OAUG President

Enhancement and Fusion Feature Voting Results Now Available

The OAUG Enhancement Request System (ERS) completed its first ever full voting cycle on July 31, 2006. Users submitted enhancement requests for over 400 Oracle Applications products, including Oracle E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft and Oracle Retail. Ultimately, the system collected over 1,100 submissions for this voting cycle.

Special thanks to those SIGs that participated in evaluating the submissions to ensure they were clear and of high enough quality to be included in the ERS voting engine. The SIG reviewers began threaded discussions with the submitters to ensure that their submissions were completely understood and deleted duplicate requests, resulting in highly qualified data for which OAUG members could vote.

The Enhancement and Fusion Feature Request System voting results have been compiled and sent to Oracle Corporation. In addition, a copy was sent to the International Oracle User Council (IOUC), the OAUG Fusion Council and each geographic (Geo) and special interest group (SIG) coordinator. OAUG members can now download the results (MS Excel file).

OAUG and Oracle Seek Innovative Use of Oracle Applications Examples

The Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) and Oracle are partnering to highlight innovative uses of Oracle products. This particular initiative is a combination of “Superheroes of the Information Age” and “Innovation Village” and will demonstrate the use of Oracle technology, which innovates how we work, live or play. This initiative will also be a part of Oracle OpenWorld and showcased throughout the event.

The OAUG has been asked to encourage customers who are using Oracle in a special or unique way to achieve their business goals to submit a nomination. The nominations will be sent to Oracle for review and the customers will be then be contacted regarding the status of their nomination. Nominations are due prior to OpenWorld, October 22-26, 2006. Learn more about the nomination process on the OAUG Web site.

OAUG and Oracle Partner to Enhance User Experience of Oracle E-Business Suite and PeopleSoft Enterprise Applications

The Applications User Experience team at Oracle is currently seeking participants for Oracle’s Usability Program. Participants in the usability studies will work directly with the Applications User Experience team to provide input on developing innovative user interfaces (the “look and feel”) for Fusion applications.

If you are interested, please complete the online enrollment form. If you fit the profile for an upcoming usability study, Oracle will contact you directly. All information will remain confidential.

Should you have any questions regarding this collaborative program between the OAUG and Oracle, please e-mail Steven Hughes, OAUG executive director, at shughes@oaug.com.

Siebel Integration Update — Geos and SIGs

The Siebel community of users will be integrated into the existing geographic user groups (Geos) and special interest groups (SIGs) model.

Rich Mayers, with Masterfoods, will be chairing the Consumer Goods SIG. There will be a SIG kick-off meeting at Oracle OpenWorld on Sunday, October 22, 2006. In addition, there will be a CRM SIG meeting at Oracle OpenWorld.

The SCOAUG Siebel special interest group will conduct a Siebel track at the Fall SCOAUG conference in Dallas on September 25, 2006. The sessions in this track include:

If you are interested in being part of the Consumer Goods SIG or the Geo in the Texas area, please contact Gail Peterson, OAUG executive director, global user group programs, at gpeterson@oaug.com, +1 404.923.8102 or +1 650.577.0526.

Oracle News

Oracle Financials Reconciliation Survey — Share Your Feedback

Oracle would like your input on its corporate reconciliation requirements and the solutions and processes you have in place today.

Through this survey, Oracle will gain a better understanding of the kinds of reconciliation issues customers are facing, and how important they are to them. The results of the survey will guide Oracle Applications development priorities for Fusion and beyond. Please take 15 to 20 minutes to complete the survey via the online survey form.

Oracle will take your feedback very seriously, and they look forward to hearing from you. The survey will be available until September 30, 2006. This survey has already been sent to a small distribution list of Oracle customers, although Oracle is looking for many more responses.

Additional information regarding the survey can be found on the OAUG Web site.

Oracle E-Business Suite R12 Pre-release Product Demos

Beginning September 30, 2006, Oracle will be hosting a series of pre-release demonstrations of E-Business Suite R12 applications. Program participants will have the opportunity to view pre-recorded demonstrations of key features and functionality in Release 12. The demonstrations will be conducted by an Oracle Applications product manager (or product strategist) who has a deep understanding of the specific product being demonstrated. Participants will view the demo remotely, at their convenience. Program participants will be encouraged to complete a post-demo survey designed to gather customer feedback.

To participate in the demonstrations, user group members must have licensed and implemented (or be in the process of implementing) a current version of the Oracle Applications product(s) being demonstrated. Oracle will use the customer contact information submitted via the online enrollment form to send pre-demo materials.

More information on the E-Business Suite R12 demonstration program (PDF file), including detailed descriptions for each demo and a demo schedule, is available on the OAUG Web site. Information regarding Web demo access instructions will be available soon on the OAUG Web site. Please check back often for these details.

Better Manage Your Oracle Investment — Exciting New Offers from Oracle

Unlock the full potential of your Oracle Applications with several new offers from Oracle. Learn more today about ways you can optimize efficiency, minimize costs and streamline processes.

Oracle Technology and Beta Testing Program

The Beta Testing Program is a joint initiative between the Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) and Oracle USA. This initiative provides a structured approach to include members of Oracle user groups in the Server Technologies Beta Programs. The overall goal is to allow selected user group members to do in-depth testing and analysis of Oracle’s new products and releases in order to help Oracle deliver better products to market.

As a beta testing participant, you will perform in-depth testing of the next generation of Oracle products. This will help you to build your personal knowledgebase, become an industry recognized technology leader and help influence Oracle’s future product direction.

The Server Technologies Beta Program office offers beta test programs for all Oracle Technology products, including: Oracle Database; Oracle Application Server; Oracle Collaboration Suite; Oracle Enterprise Manager Grid Control; Oracle Business Intelligence; and Oracle Enterprise Search.

For more information, and to register as a potential tester, please download and review the Beta Testing Program PowerPoint presentation.

Join the Oracle Customer Feedback Community

Oracle Global Customer Programs has launched a registration site where customers can indicate their interest in providing feedback to Oracle via future Web surveys, telephone interviews and in-person focus groups.

Join the Oracle Customer Feedback Community today!

Please note that registration is not required to continue participation in any established Oracle feedback channel, such as product advisory boards. Participation is completely voluntary and can be withdrawn by the customer at any time by sending an e-mail to oracle-survey_ww@oracle.com.

Oracle University: Offering OAUG Members Applications Education Solutions

The success of an implementation is measured by how quickly new applications are adopted throughout the organization. Whether it is a new implementation or an upgrade to the latest release, Oracle University offers comprehensive applications education solutions to meet your learning needs.

Visit the Oracle University OAUG training portal for more information and a listing of featured training sessions.

Oracle University: 100% Student Satisfaction

One Goal: Your Satisfaction

You’re dedicated to your career. We’re committed to your success. We know we’re in it together, and that’s why Oracle University strives for nothing less than 100% Student Satisfaction. An unbeatable class experience for every Oracle University student is just one more way we strive to provide a superior ownership experience for Oracle customers. Count on Oracle University for unmatched service, flexibility, and quality instruction on more than 100 products. Our commitment to excellence shows in everything we do.

Refer to the Oracle Web site for terms related to classes identified as part of the Oracle 100% Student Satisfaction program at the time of your order.

Now Available! Oracle 11i E-Business Suite Certification

For years, Oracle Database professionals have enjoyed the prestige and benefits of the Oracle Certified Professional program. Now, the advantages of being certified are available to Oracle 11i Applications professionals as Oracle University introduces the new E-Business Certification Program. Industry recognition, job opportunities, higher billing rates and higher salaries are just a few of the advantages Oracle Certified Professionals have reported. This program enables applications professionals to pursue three certification paths:

Act now and experience significant cost savings!

Don’t get left behind! Leverage your experience and get certified. Learn more today…

Oracle Advisor Webcast Program — Support Opportunities for PeopleSoft Enterprise, JD Edwards World and EnterpriseOne Customers

Oracle Advisor is a former legacy PeopleSoft Webcast program that was re-introduced under Oracle Support Services. Advisor Webcasts deliver expert knowledge and information about services, products and technologies to your desktop using Oracle Web conferencing.

Webcast sessions are available to all PeopleSoft Enterprise, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne and JD Edwards World maintenance customers at no additional cost. They are delivered by experienced Oracle professionals and include a question and answer session, presentation materials and an archived recording to view once the Webcast is complete. Learn more about Advisor Webcasts today! Please note: You will need a Customer Connection login to view the summary information for each Webcast.

Vendor Product Awareness Sessions

A learning opportunity for OAUG members! Participate in these free educational sessions that are normally held three times per month. The interactive teleconference or Webcast sessions provide information about a variety of products and services that complement Oracle Applications. Upcoming sessions are listed below. Session abstracts are available on the OAUG Web site.

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OAUG eLearning

Submit Your Presentation on the OAUG Web Site

Interested in presenting an eLearning session with the OAUG? You may submit a presentation for consideration on the OAUG Web site.

New! Starting July 2006, each time you present a session with OAUG eLearning you will be automatically entered to win a free registration for COLLABORATE 07: Technology and Applications Forum for the Oracle Community or a free OAUG membership renewal! Drawings will take place quarterly. Plus, present a session for OAUG eLearning and have your name and company mentioned in the next issue of OAUG eNews.

Please contact OAUG eLearning at elearning@oaug.com with any questions regarding eLearning session submission.

OAUG eLearning: Special Thanks

The OAUG would like to thank the following OAUG members and eLearning presenters:

Learn more about these scheduled sessions via the “OAUG Training Tuesdays” schedule on the OAUG Web site.

Free Online Education and Training for OAUG Members

The Oracle Applications Users Group is offering free, easy-to-access educational, training and networking opportunities for OAUG members — OAUG eLearning.

OAUG Training Tuesdays cover a broad range of topics and are presented by top-rated OAUG trainers. Choose between four different delivery times for OAUG Training Tuesdays, which feature two course offerings twice daily. Refer to the Training Tuesdays schedule for more information and to register for sessions.

OAUG Community Thursdays highlight the best-of-the-best educational and training sessions, and offer discussion forums as hosted by OAUG geographic (Geos) and special interest groups (SIGs). Refer to the Community Thursdays schedule for more information and to register for sessions.

These sessions are for everyone! Whether you are interested in the look and feel of Oracle’s E-Business Suite or you are a seasoned user looking to expand your skill set, a diverse range of topics and sessions are available. Everyone in the Oracle family of applications (E-Business Suite, Enterprise, EnterpriseOne and Retek) will want to be take advantage of these free training sessions.

Please note that OAUG eLearning sessions are limited to OAUG members only and space is limited. As of January 2006, registration is required for all OAUG eLearning sessions.

OAUG Conference and Event Updates

Oracle OpenWorld 2006

Oracle OpenWorld

October 22-26, 2006
Moscone Center
San Francisco, California

The OAUG is working closely with Oracle to help create a compelling educational event. Oracle OpenWorld 2006 will afford you the opportunity to learn more about Oracle’s vision and future strategy.

In addition, Oracle is once again pleased to host six of its primary users groups at Oracle OpenWorld. All attendees are invited to engage with the Higher Education User Group (HEUG), the Independent Oracle Users Group (IOUG), Oracle Development Tools User Group (ODTUG), the Oracle HCM Users Group (OHUG), the Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) and Quest International Users Group in a variety of ways during the week at OpenWorld.

Throughout the week, the OAUG will be providing educational sessions, as well as hosting several SIG meetings (PDF file) during the event. Be sure to stop by the OAUG membership information center in the User Group Pavilion in Moscone West, Lobby Level Two, during the event to learn more about the OAUG’s new and unique membership initiatives.

You also won’t want to miss the 5th Annual Oracle Users Forum, which will take place on Sunday, October 22, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the San Francisco Hilton. The forum is open to all registered OpenWorld attendees. Over 40 SIG meetings (PDF file) will be held throughout the morning. Meetings will cover a variety of topics and can be viewed in the Content Catalog, which can be added to your agenda. You need not be a member of a specific SIG or affiliated user group to attend; you just need to have an interest in the focus of the SIG. In the afternoon, join the OAUG for four special community outreach sessions covering our newly affiliated groups of PeopleSoft, Siebel and the Oracle Retail Users Group (ORUG, formerly Retek). Additionally, the OAUG will feature five selected white paper sessions. Come for the content and discover the value of the instruction available from your peers within the OAUG.

For additional information regarding Oracle OpenWorld and to register, visit the Oracle OpenWorld Web site. When registering, be sure to indicate that you are a member of the OAUG, which will enable us to keep you better informed of all of the planned OAUG sessions and activities during the event.

1000 Events — Oracle Applications World Tour

Multiple Dates
Multiple Locations
Hosted by Oracle Corporation

Through the end of the calendar year, Oracle is hosting 1000 user-centric events in regional markets for customers, partners and prospects. These events, which will be held in cities across the globe, are designed to communicate plans for “Applications Unlimited.”

Additionally, the events will discuss the evolutionary path customers can take to move to Oracle Fusion Applications. Learn how next-generation functionality and technology capabilities are available in every Oracle Application product family - E-Business Suite, Siebel, PeopleSoft and JD Edwards. Additional information and registration can be found on the Oracle Web site.

Oracle With 20:20 Foresight

Presented by Australian Oracle User Group (AUSOUG) and OAUG
November 2-3, 2006 (Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre — Melbourne, Australia)
November 8-9, 2006 (Hyatt Regency — Perth, Australia)

Additional conference and registration information can be found on the AUSOUG Web site.

COLLABORATE 07: Technology and Applications Forum for the Oracle Community

COLLABORATE 07: Technology and Applications Forum for the Oracle Community

April 15-19, 2007
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada

Mark your calendars today for COLLABORATE 07, April 15-19, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The Independent Oracle Users Group (IOUG), the Oracle Applications Users Group (OAUG) and Quest International Users Group (Quest) will once again host a collaborative annual user group conference.

Plan now to share your ideas, innovations and solutions during the COLLABORATE 07 conference. The OAUG Forum call for presentations is now open and the deadline for submission is November 19, 2006. The OAUG seeks presentations on all Oracle Applications, including Oracle E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft, Siebel, Oracle Retail and Portal Software, as well as applications technology. Please consider sharing your knowledge with others and submit your presentation today! For more information, including new COLLABORATE 07 tracks, areas of focus and presenter requirements, please refer to Presenter Information on the OAUG COLLABORATE 07 conference Web site.

In addition, exhibit and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Maximize your organization’s exposure and promote your services by participating as an OAUG exhibitor or sponsor at COLLABORATE 07. Your audience at COLLABORATE 07 will include Oracle users, solution providers, consultants, developers and representatives from Oracle Corporation. Reserve your exhibit space or sponsorship today (PDF file)!

Conference registration will be available on November 1, 2006. Additional registration details, including rates, will be available soon on the OAUG COLLABORATE 07 conference Web site.

Geographic (Geo) and Special Interest Group (SIG) News

The OAUG Welcomes Newest Affiliated Geo

The Southern California PeopleSoft OAUG recently affiliated with the OAUG in September. This group will be covering all PeopleSoft users whose companies have licensed PeopleSoft applications and are located in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and San Diego counties. If you are interested in learning more about this group, please contact Louise Brandy at louise.brandy@cbre.com.

The OAUG Welcomes Newest Affiliated SIG

The OAUG Portal Software SIG recently affiliated with the OAUG in August. They will host their first meeting at Oracle OpenWorld on Sunday, October 22, 2006. For more information on joining or participating in the SIG, please contact Jerry Kleva at jerry.kleva@oracle.com.

SIG Call for Volunteers

The Collaboration Suite SIG is recruiting volunteers to assist in the leadership and further growth of this group. Please contact Mark Sylvester, SIG coordinator, at mark.sylvester@gdcanada.com for additional information about volunteering or participating in the SIG.

The CRM SIG is recruiting volunteers to assist in the leadership and further growth of this group. Please contact Carol Kummer, SIG coordinator, at ckummer@aha.org for additional information about volunteering or participating in the SIG.

Upcoming Geo/SIG Meetings

Click on the links for details regarding registration, agendas, presenter and sponsorship opportunities.

Oracle Retail Users Group (ORUG) News

Oracle Retail User Group

Mark your calendars today for COLLABORATE 07: Technology and Applications Forum for the Oracle Community, April 15-19, 2007, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The OAUG and ORUG are already in the planning process for this event and the call for presentations is now open. The OAUG and ORUG are designed for users to share feedback and knowledge with other users and you can do this by conducting a presentation at COLLABORATE 07.

The OAUG and ORUG seek presentations on all Oracle Applications, including Oracle E-Business Suite, PeopleSoft, Siebel, Oracle Retail and Portal Software, as well as applications technology. ORUG members are strongly encouraged to submit their presentations for consideration.

The deadline for submission is November 19, 2006. For more information, including new COLLABORATE 07 tracks, areas of focus and presenter requirements, please refer to Presenter Information on the OAUG COLLABORATE 07 conference Web site.

If you have any questions about conducting a presentation, call or e-mail ArMand Nelson at +1 651.325.4454 or armand.nelson@gandermountain.com.

ORUG SIG Meetings

The ORUG Board of Directors made the decision to combine all the special interest groups (SIGs) into two categories, one for technical information and the other for functional information. Please check the ORUG Web site for frequent updates. Below is the current meeting schedule:

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