FAA Takes Off With Oracle Applications

To manage the changing regulations associated with the U.S. government's acquisition reform efforts, the FAA will use Oracle (Redwood Shores, CA) U.S. Federal Financials applications, database, tools, and services. The deal includes Oracle's Federal Financials modules, Oracle Alert, Discover/2000 ad hoc querying tool, as well as consulting services, support, and education. Long-term plans include migrating to Web-based applications based on Oracle's Network Computing Architecture. The products will be added to Acquire, a new financial system being built by the FAA to replace its current national automated procurement systems. The system will be used by 5,000 users at 12 U.S. sites to help process over 200,000 purchases a year. Oracle's products offer what the FAA was looking for, according to Ken Macomber, FAA Acquire product lead: "automated workflow, electronic commerce, and compatibility with the FAA technical environment." He also cited cost and customization as factors in the purchasing decision.