Oracle AIAP smoothes integration path 19 August, 2009 By Liam Lahey

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To date, over 170 independent software vendors (ISVs) have validated integration to their solutions through the program, providing customers tested and proven integrations for the Oracle E-Business Suite, Oracle's PeopleSoft Enterprise, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, JD Edwards World, Siebel and other Oracle applications.

Recent ISV partners to achieve Oracle Validated Integration through Oracle AIAP include: Avaya, Axeda Corp., Brainware Inc., Data Systems International, F5 Networks, HERMES SoftLab, Kaba Workforce Solutions, TimeLink, and UC4 Software Inc.

"This gives our customers a level of confidence when working with our ISV partners that integrate into Oracle applications," said Kevin O'Brien, senior director, ISV and SaaS strategy, Oracle worldwide alliances and channels. "As we look to partner with those other ISVs, the key from a customer standpoint comes down to the integration between the two applications because they're looking to have a joint solution that works well.

"With this program able to reduce the risk for those customers in those integrations. From a partner standpoint, we're able to help them put together a best practice for integration; it's really a path for them to work more closely with Oracle."

The Oracle AIAP initiative provides partners development guidance, tools, validation testing and best practices for integrating to Oracle's portfolio of applications.

Partner solutions can be validated across three integration and extension approaches, including cross-application business process integration, service based integration, and native application integration, to meet the different solution requirements for a wide variety of customer business scenarios.

"Customers today are struggling with fully integrating new and existing applications, to maximize their IT investments and drive further business value," said Judson Althoff, senior vice president, worldwide alliances and channels, Oracle. "By developing SOA-based integrations, partners offer solutions best suited for Oracle applications, with rapid, low-cost implementations and easier upgrades for their customers. By validating these integrations through Oracle AIAP, our partners can provide their customers the peace of mind that the application integration has been put through stringent testing and validation and will perform seamlessly in real-world implementations."

For partners, Oracle Validated Integration offers competitive advantage by providing the ability to:

*Insulate customer risk while delivering the most functional, flexible and cost-effective solutions;

*Deliver trusted, standards-based product integrations that are reviewed, tested and validated by Oracle;

*Integrate solutions with Oracle's products to open new markets and discover new sales opportunities;

*Leverage Oracle marketing opportunities including maximizing marketing with Oracle datasheets, participation in Oracle PR initiatives, visibility at Oracle sales briefings, ability to use the distinct "Oracle Validated Integration" logo, inclusion in the Oracle partner solution catalog.

Through the AIAP initiative, partner validation may include product installation verification, demonstration of business processes, data exchange testing, security testing, documentation review, and globalization validation.

"There's been steady growth in this program and the number of partners participating and I'd anticipate that continuing," O'Brien said. "Ultimately, we want to ensure we're working with the right partners. As those partners are providing joint value to our customers, we'll continue to grow out the program. Growth isn't the highest priority, increasing customer satisfaction is and guiding our ISV partners down the right path as it relates to integration best practices."

Additionally, by having a validated integration, partners may qualify to upgrade to (or maintain) Certified Partner status in the Oracle PartnerNetwork.

"There are requirements to go higher in the hierarchy in the Oracle partner program. For certain types of partners, the Oracle Validated Integration is a criteria that helps them move up the ladder in the program and get more visibility with our field sales force as well as our customers," he added.

For more details on the Oracle AIAP initiative and validation testing eligibility criteria, visit: http://www.oracle.com/partners/home/bi/global/integration/unauth/applications-integration.html.