Oracle Supply Chain Track.

Starting in IT consulting in 1987, Dean and been a successful Oracle Contractor since 1999 after leaving Oracle Consulting. He has assisted over 30 clients in North America, Europe, and Asia. Working with a range of clients from start-ups in Silicon Valley to global leaders like GE and British Telecom has provided him with key insights into how to successfully implement Oracle Applications. 

Dean wants to help fellow Contractors to be effective and profitable.  To this end, he is writing a book showing how to adopt better practices and provide proven methods for making the transition to becoming an Oracle Contractor.
He can be contacted by email at dean.christfolis@oraclecontractors.com

Here are Dean’s answers to our “top ten” questions!

How many years of Oracle Apps experience do you have? 
 
A: I started ERP consulting in 1996 so this will be my 11^th year.
 
How did you come to work with Oracle Apps? 

A: After my start at EDS, I earned my MBA and worked in the automotive industry in supply chain planning.  I transitioned to an ERP vendor that had just gone public before moving-on to Oracle ERP.  It was a nice balance of large and steadfast organizations along with small and dynamic ones.

When did you become an Oracle Contractor? 
 
A: I became a Contractor in 1999 and my first client was a Silicon Valley start-up.

What is the most enjoyable part of your work?

A: Meeting great people all over the world as well as the ability to choose projects and locations.  Learning how some of the most respected companies got that way and stay that way.

What is the least enjoyable part of your work? 

A: It sounds a little over-used but office politics can be a nuisance that can’t be escaped.

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

A: If you pay attention, you can learn quite a bit from every place you are.  Over the years, I have learned a little from each of people that I have worked with.  When I started, EDS made a big impression on me.  They had a very strong culture that was focused on the customer.  I never forgot the importance of keeping the customer’s interests as a top priority.

What do you see happening in Oracle Apps as we move towards “Fusion”? 

A:  There is a significant opportunity to take the best features and ideals from the legacy apps and have them work even better for customers.  In the end, it is about delivering solid automated business processes in a reliable way.  Eventually, the kinks will be worked out but, initially, there is also a huge potential for painful, grey hair inducing, implementations.

What do you do when you are not working? 

A: Living in Colorado, I love playing in the mountains in just about all the ways there are to do so.  My wife and I are also travel junkies and love to see the world.