Uber migrates critical cloud solutions to Oracle, Google
Uber Technologies Inc. is entering strategic cloud partnerships with two major enterprise technology platforms.
Uber is collaborating with both Google and Oracle on cloud technology deployments. Details of each initiative follow.
Uber has selected Google to support the modernization of its data cloud infrastructure and experience for customers, drivers, and retailers.
Under the partnership, Uber will migrate some of the company's most critical infrastructure to Google Cloud. This will enable Uber to use Google solutions, such as Ads, Google Maps Platform, and Cloud Spanner. The companies also plan to deliver new solutions.
Teaming up with Google, Uber will move some of its applications and data from on-premise data centers to Google Cloud. Uber intends this to aid efforts such as reducing its cost per trip, accelerating new revenue channels, and improving in-house analytics and customer experiences. Google and Uber also plan to continue t work to improve Uber app performance.
"We look forward to expanding our collaboration with Uber to deploy our cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and edge networking solutions," said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet. "This partnership is bringing together the best of Google technology across Cloud, Maps, Ads and more to help Uber continue to improve the customer experience for their users."
"Our partnership with Google centers around a shared commitment to putting customer experience at the forefront of everything we do," said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. "It is our job to continually improve and reimagine the types of experiences we're providing through the Uber platform, exceeding expectations every time someone opens the app to go somewhere or get something delivered. We're excited to deepen our work with Google to deliver new innovations that push the boundaries of what's possible for transportation, delivery and more."
Oracle
Uber is also entering a seven-year cloud technology agreement with Oracle. The company says it intends this collaboration to accelerate innovation, help deliver new products to market, modernize its infrastructure, and drive increased profitability.
As part of the new agreement, Uber will move some of its most critical workloads to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). Along with this OCI migration, the Uber-Oracle strategic cloud partnership includes other areas of collaboration between the two companies.
For example, Oracle will become a global Uber for Business client, selecting Uber as a preferred rideshare for its employees to travel and online delivery service for employees to eat around the world. Uber and Oracle will also continue co-developing additional cloud-based retail and delivery solutions, including consumer-focused last-mile logistics technology.
“Uber is revolutionizing the way people, products, and services move across continents and through cities,” said Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi. “To deliver on that promise for customers while building value for shareholders, we needed a cloud provider that will help us maximize innovation while reducing our overall infrastructure costs. Oracle provides an ideal combination of price, performance, flexibility, and security to help us deliver incredible customer service, build new products, and increase profitability.”
“Uber is expanding into a ‘go anywhere, get anything’ platform, and the company needed a cloud partner that shares a relentless focus on innovation,” said Oracle CEO Safra Catz. “This landmark competitive win for OCI is further validation of the momentum and acceleration we are experiencing in the market. Enterprises, governments, and startups around the world are recognizing the differentiation of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and experiencing our performance, security, and economic benefits versus other hyperscalers.”
Uber eyes e-commerce
Uber initially expanded from its core rideshare business into third-party online delivery with the launch of Uber Eats in August 2014 and has since been shifting toward becoming a full-fledged e-commerce platform.
“Our goal is to make Uber a destination that customers can rely on to get whatever they need when they need it,” Raj Beri, Uber global head of grocery and new verticals, said in December 2021.
Notable initiatives Uber has launched include executing an approximately $1.1 billion acquisition of Drizly, a Boston-based liquor delivery service. Drizly’s marketplace is being integrated as a feature within the Uber Eats app, while also maintaining a separate Drizly app and web experience.
At the time the merger was initially announced, Drizly said it plans to innovate and expand independently in the on-demand liquor delivery sector, while also gaining access to the advanced mobile marketplace technologies of Uber.
Uber is also using self-driving robots to deliver fresh products on-demand, including robots from autonomous sidewalk delivery company Serve Robotics, which began as the robotics division of Postmates, which was acquired by Uber in July 2020 for $2.65 billion, and was spun off as an independent company in February 2021, with Uber as an investor.