This session was presented at Oracle Cloud Summit Virtual 2025.

This presentation will benefit IT leaders, project managers, procurement specialists, and technical decision-makers involved in enterprise systems, infrastructure migrations, or managed services engagements. Attendees will gain insight into contract negotiation strategies, including how to weigh the advantages of large consulting firms versus specialized providers, and how to balance speed with quality when executing projects—recognizing that faster timelines may not always equate to lower costs. The session will also help participants evaluate total cost of ownership (TCO) considerations, particularly in managed services arrangements, and address common on-premises challenges such as defining scope, overcoming documentation gaps, fostering trust with consulting teams, and establishing effective team structures. Participants will also learn how to navigate the complexities of migrating to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), including mapping existing infrastructure for accurate budgeting, identifying and managing integrations in decentralized environments, and overcoming testing limitations such as load testing constraints or the absence of vendor test environments. Finally, the session will explore the operational side of transitioning to managed services in OCI, focusing on the development of new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the cultural and procedural adjustments required for sustained success. By the end of the presentation, attendees will leave with a clear framework for selecting the right partners, structuring contracts, anticipating migration hurdles, and ensuring a smooth operational handover.