So. This really is quite interesting. Now that Oracle has pretty much digested Siebel, PeopleSoft and to a much lesser extent UpShot, the numbers according to Oracle’s current CRM propaganda are really quite compelling:
4.6 million users (compared to Salesforce’s 600,000 or thereabouts),
5,000 customers,
27 languages, worldwide,
presence in 145 countries.
This is massive – especially if Oracle decides to really exploit the on-demand model.
I’m well aware that Oracle (and others) have had the quaint practice of counting CRM seats amongst customers who have been given the CRM suite free, but never unwrapped it. My point here isn’t who currently uses the app but those who might…
Problem is Oracle will stumble unless they understand that the secret to succeeding in CRM is selling guns and ammo to the sales guys, and NOT technology solutions to CIO’s or customer delight to marketing nannies.
Oracle is on the right track with this from their latest ads:
200 percent increase in sales pipeline,
100 percent user adoption,
36
percent improvement in opportunity-to-win ratios, and
doubled revenue
growth.
If they jack hammer these points home to the sales guys within their Oracle/Siebel/PeopleSoft universe – they’ll win.
Oracle doesn’t need new customers. Because of this they have a fraction of the marketing spend of challengers like Salesforce.com. All they need to do is encourage adoption and enable success within their current customer base.
The only credible challenger to Ellison is Marc Benioff at Salesforce.com, but he seems to be losing his focus and intensity.
Is Ellison moving in for the kill? Is it time to short Salesforce.com?
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