USER GROUPS > WHAT IS THE IOUC?
Quest is one of the largest global user groups that participates on the International Oracle User Community (IOUC), a voluntary group representing common customer interests of the worldwide user community. Oracle views the IOUC as the user community's direct line to Oracle senior management, so Quest's leadership in the IOUC is an important facilitator for communicating our community's shared priorities, concerns and recommendations.
View a message from John Matelski, chairman of the IOUC, or read on to learn more.
Is the IOUC a user group?
No, the IOUC is more like a council comprised of user group leaders drawn from the major user group bodies worldwide. Through Quest's representation, the more than 70 regional, product and industry user groups affiliated with Quest have a voice into the IOUC.
What does the IOUC do?
IOUC members meet regularly to define and discuss the strategic direction, planning and execution of initiatives that promote the collective interests of the user community. Through a committee structure, the IOUC works on issues of a global nature that are relevant to all user group members, such as pricing, support, quality, documentation and membership.
The IOUC also advocates user group participation in Oracle conferences and works to strengthen the relationship between Oracle and the various user groups for the benefit of Oracle customers worldwide.
How will Quest members benefit from Quest being on the IOUC?
The IOUC is the best way to share information with Oracle, and Quest now has the opportunity to share the latest information from its membership directly with Oracle representatives. On the other hand, Quest also has the opportunity to hear strategic direction and initiatives first-hand from Oracle, and share that information with the membership right away.
How does Quest communicate the concerns of its affiliated user groups to the IOUC and Oracle?
Quest holds regular calls with the leaders of user groups affiliated with Quest to gather and share information. This is an excellent mechanism for affiliated user groups to funnel their members' viewpoints, concerns and priorities through Quest to the IOUC and Oracle. If you are a user group leader who would like to be part of that, please email Luke Hodges at luke.hodges@questdirect.org.
How does Oracle benefit from supporting the IOUC?
The IOUC filters feedback from all regional, product, industry and special interest groups into more of a collective voice into Oracle. This prevents Oracle from having hundreds of people to contact when an announcement or initiative is available -- they can go to the umbrella user groups and are assured that those groups will get the message out.
The IOUC is an information funnel -- while Oracle cannot feasibly respond to thousands of individual requests, the user groups can collect these requests and present them to Oracle for immediate consideration. It is truly a win-win for both the customer and Oracle.
How can Quest members get the most out of the IOUC?
Quest's involvement on the IOUC is an excellent opportunity for Quest members' voices to be heard. However, like any other opportunity that comes knocking, we must open the door and let it in. The best thing you can do is to participate. From time to time, the Quest and its affiliated user groups will offer opportunities to provide feedback (via the monthly president's letter, conferences, QuestDirect home page, Infocast and eNews for example). Make sure you make use of those opportunities by responding to requests for feedback.
Who are the IOUC members?
Oracle determines which organizations participate on the IOUC to facilitate the exchange of information between Oracle and the broadest base of the user group community. This way, Oracle works directly with the larger groups, such as Quest, that support and provide information to hundreds of local, regional, product- and industry-focused groups, in a timely and more efficient manner.
Who are the IOUC officers?
- Chair - John Matelski, Quest International Users Group
- Vice Chair - Bambi Price, Asia Pacific Oracle Usergroup Council
- Secretary - John Jeunnette, Oracle Development Tools Users Group
- Director, Communications - Jeff Feim, Oracle HCM Users Group
- Director, Quality and Support - Arnold Wong, Asia Pacific Oracle Usergroup Council
- Director, Product Development - Debra Lilly, EMEA Oracle Usergroup Council
- Director, Education - Betty Brugger, Higher Education User Group
- Director, Localisations (EMEA) - Wolfgang Scherrer, EMEA Oracle Usergroup Council
- Director, Localisations (APAC) - Daniel Strassberg, Asia Pacific Oracle Usergroup Council