At Oracle CloudWorld 2023 taking place in Las Vegas, the company’s CEO Safra Catz welcomed attendees by emphasising the limitless possibilities brought by collaboration and technology. Her address echoed the sentiment that with the right mindset and cutting-edge technology, individuals and companies can achieve extraordinary feats.
“Together we can do pretty much anything,” Catz said kicking off her keynote address. She underlined that collective effort and shared goals are the driving forces behind the success of any endeavour, setting a powerful tone for the entire event.
Embracing what’s possible
Throughout her address, Catz underscored the importance of embracing change and seizing opportunities. “Today is about showing you what’s possible when you have the right technology and the right mindset,” she said.
Catz further highlighted that over the past few years, Oracle has re-oriented the entire company around their customers and in helping them become successful.
During her keynote, Catz spoke to five Oracle customers who have redefined their organisations as their respective industries evolved. She noted that these organisations, which include Uber, AON, Emerson, Canada-based Loblaw Companies Limited and TIM Brasil, took the risk by moving to new technology and advancing even further than they had imagined.
These companies, according to the Oracle chief, handled change by focusing on the opportunities and “instead of shying away from them, they embraced them.”
Oracle and Uber: Mastering the art of innovation, growth and profitability
A key highlight of Catz’s keynote address is her engaging conversations with leading companies, among which is transportation and logistics firm Uber.
The company’s CEO, Dara, joined Catz onstage to discuss how the company has evolved from being a ride-share business into a ‘go-get’ business through the rise of its delivery and logistics services.
“Uber today has undergone an incredible transformation. It’s been a team sport. So thanks to everyone, Uber who has been a part of that transformation. As we look forward to 2024, it’s all about growth for us. We operate at an enormous scale we complete about 2 billion trips a quarter, so 2 billion rides to work or delivery of food or grocery.”
Khosrowshahi further highlighted that in order to achieve an annual growth rate of over 20 percent, Uber added over a billion and a half trips every single year to the platform. This ambitious feat meant that they had to innovate and build new products to scale faster.
“Whether it’s two-wheelers in Sao Paulo, three-wheeler Ubers in New Delhi, or the innovative Uber Bus service capable of accommodating up to 20 to 30 people in a single bus to alleviate congestion – these are the services we are developing,” explained Khosrowshahi.
Khosrowshahi also noted the company’s current and future expansion strategies into new markets such as Brazil and Santiago. “This expansion necessitates incredible innovation, requiring us to continually develop new products and maintain an entrepreneurial mindset as we transition from 2023 to 2024,” he said.
Going the extra mile with Oracle
At CloudWorld 2023, Uber and Oracle also announced a brand new partnership focused on redefining last-mile delivery and retail logistics.
By seamlessly integrating Uber Direct, Uber’s white-label delivery solution, with Oracle’s Retail platform through pre-integrated APIs, this collaboration empowers retailers to redefine their delivery strategies. Offering customers a diverse array of choices, including same-day and scheduled deliveries, order pickups, and convenient returns, this partnership not only meets the ever-growing demand for express delivery but also bridges the gap between sales and customer service.
With the ability to capture and analyse transaction data, retailers can gain invaluable insights into consumer behaviours, paving the way for enhanced services and tailored offers. In a world where convenience and flexibility reign supreme, this partnership between Uber and Oracle represents a dynamic shift toward elevating the customer experience and driving brand loyalty in the retail industry.
“Oracle’s retail systems can now seamlessly connect with Uber Direct to provide on-demand delivery and even facilitate on-demand returns. If an issue arises, we can arrange for a courier to pick up the returns and return them to the store. All of this is made possible through the combined power of Oracle technology and Uber’s Technology and Logistics. It stands as one of our most thrilling new initiatives,” explained the Uber chief.
Following her discussion with Uber’s CEO, Catz engaged in insightful conversations with top executives representing prominent companies such as AON, Emerson, Loblaw Companies Limited (based in Canada), and TIM Brasil. These discussions delved into their remarkable journeys of success and the pivotal role Oracle played in shaping their achievements. She then concluded her keynote by calling on organisations to embrace change and seize opportunities. “We want you to have the right mindset for action. I think you need to have the attitude to really use the newest technologies because this is a very, very important time, and things are changing around us. And we want to help you move ahead,” she said.
