ORACLE CORPORATION JOINS UA WALTON COLLEGE’S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER

Fayetteville, Ark. - Oracle Corporation, Redwood Shores, Calif., has joined the Information Technology Research Center (ITRC) in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, as the latest corporate member.

"We are very excited to have Oracle as a part of the ITRC. The company joins 15 members of the ITRC from other leading information technology (IT) organizations from various industries," said Bill Hardgrave, executive director of the ITRC and Edwin and Karlee Bradberry Chair.

"Oracle’s leadership in the computer industry and their successful development of business-class database and enterprise resource systems has positioned it at a pivotal location in the IT industry. Oracle’s membership expands our representation in the key area of IT computer infrastructure," added Hardgrave.

Bill Weils, senior director for the Global IT - Operations Program Office, represents Oracle on the ITRC board of advisors. The board is comprised of 16 information technology executives from the ITRC members companies, which include some of the nation’s largest corporations. The board meets regularly to provide input on the Center’s research direction, Walton College curriculum and technology trends.

"We are delighted to have someone of Bill’s caliber join the board," said Hardgrave. "His industry experience and knowledge will be a real asset to the ITRC."

Weils leads the development and promotion of both technology and organizational-based improvements in Oracle's use and management of information technology. He is focused on increasing the overall efficiency, productivity, and reliability of Oracle's IT systems and support teams. In addition, Weils participates in strategic development programs that resolve all identified technical and commercial issues impacting Oracle Outsourcing. Since joining Oracle, he has successfully led efforts to consolidate Oracle's worldwide IT organizations, systems, and services, resulting in reduced costs while increasing reliability, accuracy, and efficiency.

Weils, with more than 17 years of experience in the information technology management, received a B.S. in information management from University of Maryland (College Park). Prior to joining Oracle, Weils served in the United States Air Force (1986-1994), and held positions within the intelligence community related to communications intercept and technology infrastructure implementation.

Hardgrave said, "Our new relationship with Oracle promises benefits to Oracle and the Walton College through opportunities for discussion, research, and industry interaction with our faculty and students. It also facilitates a relationship among ITRC members, such that Oracle will have the opportunity to interact with IT organizations operating across 15 other industries to learn their computer needs and issues. Existing members will also benefit through direct contact with this leading software supplier which supports many of the platforms on which IT products operate."

Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) is a premier provider of products and services required for customers worldwide to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. Oracle technology can be found in nearly every industry around the world and in the offices of 98 of the Fortune 100 companies. The company's revenue for the past four quarters totaled $33.7 billion. Information on Oracle and its products can be obtained at www.oracle.com.

The ITRC was established in the Walton College in 1999 with a portion of the endowment created by the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation gift of $50 million in 1998. The ITRC provides a forum for multi-disciplinary work on issues related to information technology, facilitates the exchange of information between the academic and business communities, and promotes student interest in the study of information technology.

For more information on the ITRC, check the web at http://itrc.uark.edu or contact (479) 575-4261.