Oracle launches latest on-demand CRM release; Pushes social networking
Oracle on Tuesday released its latest on demand CRM effort--Oracle CRM On Demand Release 15--with the primary new feature being social networking capabilities.
The move is just the latest in the effort of large software vendors to make social networking and other Web 2.0 features part of the enterprise fabric while fending off SaaS only players such as Salesforce.com. Oracle's latest on-demand CRM release has features such as Sticky Notes and Message Center, which allow for real-time commentary much like a wiki.
How big of a deal is this? Pretty big, says Phil Wainewright. In a post, Wainewright notes:
Anthony Lye, who as senior VP of CRM at Oracle has spearheaded the reinvention of CRM OnDemand over the past year-and-a-half, told me last week that, “What we’re doing in SaaS is now very much on the leading edge of CRM.” I’d say that’s an understatement — the integration of social networking capabilities into the new release is on the leading edge of what’s happening across all enterprise applications.
Other notable tidbits:
- Oracle CRM On Demand can be customized via widgets, gadgets and personal portals.
- Can incorporate information such as contacts from iGoogle or MyYahoo. Other sites can be added via RSS.
Separately, Oracle rolled out Oracle Mobile Sales Assistant, which allows CRM On Demand customers to access informaiton via the BlackBerry platform.