Dingman Center Online News
Report on Oracle Small Business Software to Local Companies
In 2000, the Maryland State Legislature passed House Bill 275, providing funds for eMaryland - an initiative "to assist in the state's efforts to create the most advanced electronic business environment in the nation and become an international leader in the deployment of new internet technologies." A portion of the money allocated from that bill made it possible for the Dingman Center, and a host of partners in the public and private sectors, to provide the latest in small business software to a group of 17 Maryland small businesses.
The Dingman Center selected Oracle Small Business Suite, one of the first services to provide smaller companies with web-based software applications via the Internet. OSBS, made and supported by Oracle partner NetLedger, provides modules for running almost all aspects of a small business, including accounting, sales force automation, payroll, employee management, and even a web-based storefront. Just as unique, OSBS provides all of these modules via the World Wide Web. Rather than installing software on a local machine, small businesses may access OSBS from any computer connected to the Internet. Using this “hosted” model, employees may access their data from work, home, or while on a sales call abroad.
Seventeen companies were selected for the program. Reflecting the diversity of small businesses in Maryland, participants included a biotechnology materials manufacturer, a non-profit providing after-school programs, an automobile dealer and several IT firms. Companies ranged from simple bootstrapped startups to venture-backed firms. “The twin goals,” says project director Jonathan Sims, “were to help a diverse pool of companies, and to see how different types of firms were able to integrate this new type of technology.”
After selection, participating companies each took part in a full-day training in the state-of-the-art Netcentricity computer lab at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. During their first six months of using the software, each received comprehensive training and six months of support provided by Rockville-based Oracle partner CPAMoneyWatch.com.
While companies had different and varied reactions to OSBS, some saw significant gains. Three companies saw Return on Investment (ROI) exceed 2000%, and almost all saw a reduction in the amount of time it had taken to move data from one separate system to another. Sims believes the program has helped participating companies in unanticipated ways. “Many companies saw real savings – real value. Even companies who did not successfully implement OSBS said they learned a lot about how to improve their own business practices.”
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