Jim Crum is the key contact person for Contractors Network in the South Eastern United States.

Jim is a Senior Oracle Consultant with extensive IT and accounting experience, including experience with the Oracle Database from 1986 and the Oracle Financial Applications from 1993.? Jim has performed a wide range of program management, supervisory and team leadership roles, and has advised clients on complex Oracle Financial Applications implementations, conversions and upgrades.

Jim possesses both functional and technical experience with the Oracle applications, database, and development tools.
Jim has many publications to his credit.? He has served as editor of the “Tips and Techniques” newsletter for the Atlanta Oracle Applications Users Group.? He is the lead author for the book “Special Edition Using Oracle 11i” published by Que Publishing.? In addition, Jim Crum has established a collaborative web site called www.wikioraapps.com that is dedicated to Collaboration and work on the Oracle Applications Release 12.

Jim has earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from DePauw University.

Currently based in the Contractors Network offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Jim heads up the customer solutions fulfillment function for the South Eastern United States.?

You may contact Jim at jim.crum@oraclecontractors.com.

Jim has taken time out to answer our?’Top 10′ questions below!

How many years of Oracle Apps experience do you have?

A: I started with the applications as an Oracle Corporation employee in 1993 with version 9.3.? I have been working continuously with the applications since then.?

How did you come to work with Oracle Apps?

A: In the late 1980’s using the Oracle database and tools, my programming team and I developed a custom suite of 13 ERP applications for a Fortune 500 company.? By 1993 the packaged applications from about 10 different companies were the preferred way to implement ERP.? I jumped at the chance to work for Oracle Corporation as their Practice Manager for the South Eastern region.?

When did you become an Oracle Contractor?

A: In mid-1995, we realized that Oracle’s consulting model suffered from too much demand and not enough talent to deliver high quality services.? At the time, Oracle’s quality was declining because we simply couldn’t hire and train enough consultants to deliver version 10.5 of the applications.? I founded BOSS Corporation with some other people in the summer of 1995, so that we could focus on just a few, high-quality implementations each year.

What is the most enjoyable part of your work?

A: I enjoy solving tough problems for clients.? Sometimes we have to make the software fit the client’s needs, and sometimes the solution is to change the client’s business processes.? Either way, it is very rewarding to craft a solution and put it into production.

What is the least enjoyable part of your work?

A: I struggle with myself when a client has to make compromises and can’t implement the applications in an optimal way.? Usually I develop a vision of the future business model early in the project and that vision provides the leadership to move the project forward.? Sometimes the client doesn’t have the project sponsorship or budget to accomplish all that they should, and some of the best parts of the applications don’t make it to production.? I like to see the client get full value from their software investment, and when that doesn’t happen, I don’t enjoy it.

What has been the most satisfying project you have worked on and why??

A: Most of my projects have been very satisfying, and even though they are different, I value all of my clients.? Without playing favorites I would list my work at LG&E (now E.ON), Humana, Dana, Textron, and Motorola as most satisfying.

Which consultant/contractor have you learnt the most from/enjoyed working with the most and why?

A: That’s a tough question.? In the past 15 years, I calculate that I have worked with over 200 consultants as employees, contractors, and co-workers. And, I can count on one hand those that I wouldn’t want to work with again. I have been blessed with lots of great associations from this group. Michael Barone has the most incredible work ethic and energy level, and he kept me current with the database technology in the late 1990’s.? Jimmy Bunn is the hardest working guy I know.? Bill Dunham and Ken Conway were instrumental in writing the book Special Edition - Using 11i.? Satya Abbaraju is a deep thinker and always gave me good advice.? Bob Ciccone taught me the ins and outs of the consulting business, and he is a guru.

What are the hot topics in your area of expertise?

A: Management reporting is on my radar right now.? I am working with a client in a very tough industry, and they need to pull together information from many decentralized instances.? They don’t have the funding this year to implement a consolidated global instance.? They are going to try to fake out a single global instance strategy with a data warehouse and OBI EE reporting.

What do you do when you are not working?

A: I enjoy golf, gardening, and reading.? Unfortunately, I don’t have enough time to be really good at the first two.