But while database sales created an impressive quarter, overall weak applications sales limited growth to 10 percent in the quarter, prompting Oracle to tell analysts last week that Chief Executive Officer Larry Ellison and Chief Operating Officer Ray Lane will be spending 60 percent to 70 percent of their time on beefing up applications.
Applications is our top priority.
Applications integrate Oracle databases to track manufacturing and supply chain management, financials, human resources and front office functions. While Oracle's competitors, such as PeopleSoft Inc. and Germany's SAP AG, are showing applications growth as much as 60 percent or more, Oracle's applications business had a slight decline in the quarter. To boost sales, the company just finished retraining its sales force and plans a marketing blitz around Oracle Applications 11, its new applications suite. Then subscribe to the IAW E-Mail Alert. Openwave Be a part of the communications revolution.