Oracle ACE. What Does That Mean?

I first started working with Oracle technology full-time back in 2010. Before then, and even shortly afterwards, I had no idea what an Oracle ACE represented; nor had I even heard the of the title. I was, however, exposed to the concept of a Microsoft MVP. This title I recognized as a .NET developer and attendee of Microsoft TechEd many years in a row. I would often sit in on the sessions held by those with Microsoft MVP status. These folks filled the rooms at TechEd. Their talks would always comprise of brand new and exciting content and it was guaranteed the audience would learn something new. But, even after I changed my software vendor tune and went the Oracle route (Oracle Data Integrator, to be exact), I knew nothing of an Oracle ACE. That was until I joined Rittman Mead in 2012.

I knew deep down, but without really knowing, that an Oracle ACE was something I wanted to become.

I was hired by Oracle ACE (now ACE Director) Stewart Bryson as an ODI consultant at Rittman Mead in America. Back in 2012, Rittman Mead was represented by 2 ACEs (Stewart and Venkat Janakiraman) and 1 ACE Director, Mark Rittman (co-founder and all around Oracle BI/DW expert). These guys were just like MVPs, but for Oracle technology. Well known community experts, knowledgeable, well spoken, and writing content on the blog that seemed to always be new and innovative. It was great! I was intimidated, but in awe that these were my colleagues. I knew deep down, but without really knowing, that an Oracle ACE was something I wanted to become. After some time, I realized that folks in the Oracle ACE program are regular techie people too - but they spend a lot more time doing certain things that others do not. Here's my journey to becoming an Oracle ACE. 

...folks in the Oracle ACE program are regular techie people too - but they spend a lot more time doing certain things that others do not.

One example, blogging. This is not a requirement of the typical day-to-day job - or at least not in my job. This is completed during free time. During family time. Friends time. After business hours. Sometimes, we're fortunate to face a technical challenge while working with a client or on an internal project that can immediately be written into a blog post. Other times, we may apply our research completed on a technical subject and transform the notes into a meaningful post. But, quite often, it's the desire within the Oracle ACE (ACE Associate, ACE, or ACE Director) to innovate that drives the pen to the paper. Determining a different approach to ODI and GoldenGate integration, learning how to use the Elastic stack to monitor your BI/DI system, or even a new way of thinking about security in OBIEE. All of these came from ideas, written after all of the client work had been completed for the day, and most often during personal time otherwise spent with loved ones. That's just a part of the ACE mentality as a community thought leader. Learn something new and exciting and share it with the world.

It doesn't stop at blogging. There are articles, presentations, podcasts, webinars, etc., you name it. If it involves sharing information about Oracle technologies, it has been done by an ACE. And again, for most in the ACE program, this extra work isn't happening on the job. This is "honey, I'll head to bed soon" time. This is skipping your favorite TV shows time. Staying in, rather than going out, time. This is the sacred personal time.

That's a lot of  "sharing"! If you're placing your own content out there for the world to see, you're laying your own credentials and reputation on the line. Oracle ACEs do this on a regular basis. Day in and day out, we get to stick our neck out as the "expert". In return, we may receive criticism, challenges, and (hopefully) praise for our efforts. It's not easy to share your opinion with the world via a blog post which, as one of my colleagues has mentioned, will never fail to exist (it is the Internet, afterall). It's even less easy to stand in front of 20, 40, or 100 people at a conference session. Would you do it?

I get the sense from various channels that some believe an Oracle ACE doesn't necessarily deserve any recognition or celebration. Some may actually consider those of us in the ACE program to be a cost to their company, due to conference travel expenses, time spent with Oracle product teams learning the latest beta software, etc. I understand - there are many, many brilliant Oracle technologists in the world that are far brighter than me. But they're not Oracle ACEs. They may not desire to be. Maybe sharing their knowledge is not enjoyable to them. Or for some, they won't invest the time to build the content for sharing. There could be a number of reasons. But in my opinion, those of us who are willing to put in the effort should be acknowledged and encouraged to carry on.

It's hard work. It's not for everyone.
But for those of us who choose to put in that effort, I believe it's a great honor that we're recognized by Oracle. 

A few years back, I was unaware of what the Oracle ACE program represented. But now, I recognize that ACE Associates, ACEs, and ACE Directors all experience the privilege of educating and inspiring their peers in the Oracle community. Not only that, but ACEs are constantly sharpening their communication skills through each of these various channels. I'm thrilled to have received the Oracle ACE Director distinction this week and look forward to many more years in the program. We all have day jobs (being an Oracle ACE doesn't pay the bills), but still we rise to the challenge and continue to be community leaders and drive innovation across the Oracle Technology Network.

What do you think of the Oracle ACE distinction? Good or bad? Means nothing or means everything? Let me know in the comments.