Oracle Developer needs a change [HELP !]

[css_jay99]

Last year ended like tulip and this year started with tulip!

Just going via a divorce at the moment and the b*tch is taking me to the cleaners. She is taking all my buffer money. That was the end of last year.

The Project I am working on got canned last week and all contractors have been given 1 month notice. The Ex still wants my ball. That is start of a new year for me

Life continues, but I now have to start afresh!. Those bast***s will not grind me down !


My area of expertise is Oracle sql, pl/sql (mostly backend), Forms & reports, some unix and pro*C. I have dabbled in a tiny bit of java hence have a fair understanding of its concept. I have also worked many moons ago as an accountants so my understanding of accounting is pretty much still there.

The IT market has now changed to an extent that there is a need to supplement my Primary Oracle database skills with something like C# or even to look into something like Oracle Applications ( payroll…..financials..)

I would preferably like to look at which of these two areas that would take me the least time to master such that I can blag my way via an interview.

Please I would like some input from people with knowledge of the skill areas.

Thanks

css_jay99

[theemeestroo]

I would stick with the Java and J2EE stuff. I had same skills as you and last few jobs have been oracle backend and Java frontend. Oracle ADF is a nice new tool which they are pushing all Forms and Reports users to.

[TheFaQQer]

I'd look to move into Apps - if you've got a financials background (play it up a bit) plus technical ability, then you can get some nice hybrid roles that have a bit of techie stuff and some business logic as well.

I do a lot of hybrid roles - strong technical background plus consultancy / business roles to support it. Although functional seems to pay more than technical roles!

HTH,

Faqqer

[Robwg]

You need to get some 11i (i.e. Financials - or E-business suite as they call it now) experience (somehow) - either install 11i on your home system (if you have 100Gig free) or something.

Then you shouldn't really be out of work (be warned - it is much much harder than basic coding - there are well over 1400 tables and some of them have 100+ columns).

Having said that - C# would probably take less time to learn to 'blagging' status.

[css_jay99]

surely you dont have to know all the 1400 tables offhead. I am more inclined to go the Oracle apps route since C# opens alot of worms interms of .NET and web related stuff which i have not done. on the other hand its easier to assimilate relational tables.

I now have to decide either to go for Financials or payroll. which is easier of the two in terms of learning. From my perspective i would have thought for e that the financials will be since most of my double entry bookeeping knowledge is still intact.

Further Oracle charges and arm 7 a leg for these courses, when can i do them dead cheap or even get materials to learn.

funnything was that Oracle sent me a stack of the Applications DVd's last year but i binned them !


css_jay99

[TheFaQQer]

You can download eBS from http://edelivery.oracle.com There are some good threads on the OTN forums for installation guidance if you need it - I'm installing it on my other laptop as I type this.

No - you don't need to know all the tables at all. I friend of mine always sells himself along the lines of "if you want someone who knows all the tables and code, I'm not your guy. If you want someone with a proven track record of delivery, and isn't going to come in with any pre-conceived ideas, I am your guy". He's been doing the same thing for quite some time, very successfully.

I got myself a permie job near home off the back of knowing forms, reports, PL/SQL, Workflow quite well but not having eBS experience. After a year there, I had good eBS skills on the CV, which helped me get a range of contracts.

Faqqer

[Robwg]

surely you dont have to know all the 1400 tables offhead. I am more inclined to go the Oracle apps route since C# opens alot of worms interms of .NET and web related stuff which i have not done. on the other hand its easier to assimilate relational tables.

Well - no you don't, but you do need to have a rough idea for your chosen modules and if you are used to working with applications with nice normalised data models - then forget it!! That is what most people find hard (also - Apps has been designed so that it can be customised for any organisation structure - so there are a lot of tables holding this setup info).

Forms and Reports development is also different under Apps as there are various API's that you need to call (Forms is more different to Reports).

I don't know Payroll so can't comment - apparently it is technically more complex than Financials and apparently pretty different to the rest of the suite as it was developed in the UK. On the other hand it is only one module whereas Financials comprises several (GL, AP, AR etc.).

I got myself a permie job near home off the back of knowing forms, reports, PL/SQL, Workflow quite well but not having eBS experience. After a year there, I had good eBS skills on the CV, which helped me get a range of contracts.

I'd go that route as well - plenty of permie jobs around - if you already know Oracle's technical products then a year working on one would give you enough experience to then go back into the contracting market.

[DS23]

if you are going to select an oracle apps module to get into then hr is probably the best from a contract security point of view.

release 12 is just coming out now and after that comes fusion.

some interesting times ahead - gotta get the right job at the right time to ride the crest...

[css_jay99]

Unfortunately, i dont thik I can take a permie job at the mo considering the financial calamity my b**ch Ex has landed me in. I need at least 50K to keep my head above water and I am sure no one will employ me to learn Apps at that salary.

if you are going to select an oracle apps module to get into then hr is probably the best from a contract security point of view.

release 12 is just coming out now and after that comes fusion.

some interesting times ahead - gotta get the right job at the right time to ride the crest...

Why would people want to upgrade to 12 when fusion in round some corner.

Someone told me i could do the courses back to back with Oracle india and its still going to work out miles cheaper than Oracle UK. only problem is I dont think i can afford the time off work.

I've got to give Bi**h ex £48k in two weeks or she hounds me for even more. I hope she chokes on every penny

Advice to all you contractors, dont date Tax lawyers cos they know ways to screw you and its not just in bed

[TheFaQQer]

Further Oracle charges and arm 7 a leg for these courses, when can i do them dead cheap or even get materials to learn.

Have a search for "Oracle bootcamp india" in Google - there are some good training courses out in India which are about 1/4 of the UK cost, and most include accommodation, food and exam bills as well.