Free Phone + Bluetooth @T-Mobile.com
February 15, 2006 3:36 PM PST
Oracle tried to buy open-source MySQL
- Related Stories
-
Oracle snags open-source database company
February 14, 2006 -
MySQL lands $18.5 million in third round
February 13, 2006 -
Open source: The newest competitive tool
February 13, 2006 -
Pink slips on the way for Siebel employees?
February 8, 2006 -
MySQL preps business upgrade
October 18, 2005 -
Oracle sweeps up Siebel
September 13, 2005
MySQL Chief Executive Marten Mickos confirmed the acquisition attempt in an interview at the Open Source Business Conference here but wouldn't provide details such as when the approach was made or how much money Oracle offered.
He did, however, say why he turned down Oracle's offer: the desire to keep his company's independence. "We will be part of a larger company, but it will be called MySQL," Mickos said.
Oracle didn't immediately comment on the acquisition offer.
Though it is increasingly diversified, Oracle's primary business is selling its own proprietary database software. MySQL, in contrast, is a leader among several companies trying to commercialize rival open-source products.
The acquisition would have been a smart move for Oracle, said Redmonk analyst Stephen O'Grady.
"It all comes back to the question of cannibalizing an existing business," O'Grady said. "If you determine that to some extent it's inevitable, wouldn't you prefer that you do it, instead of your competitors?"
O'Grady said Oracle could benefit from MySQL in the way that IBM has from its acquisition of Gluecode, a company that commercializes the open-source Geronimo Java application server software and competed with IBM's own proprietary WebSphere product. IBM now offers Gluecode's software as a free product called WebSphere community edition.
"They could position it as a lower-end alternative, much as IBM has done with WebSphere CE, recognizing that their larger accounts aren't likely to switch from the enterprise-class database anyhow," O'Grady said. At the same time, buying MySQL could "open up a very sizable new market for themselves."
The database market is in the midst of major changes. IBM now offers a lower-end version of its DB2 product for free, following similar moves by Microsoft and Oracle. At the same time, companies such as Ingres and EnterpriseDB are trying to build high-end open-source database packages.
MySQL, based in Sweden and Cupertino, Calif., announced in January that it's been profitable for two quarters. But it's not turning down outside money. MySQL announced Monday it raised $18.5 million in a third round of funding from Institutional Venture Partners, Intel Capital, Red Hat, SAP Ventures and Sumitomo's Presidio STX investment subsidiary.
Oracle's financial moves, however, are orders of magnitude grander. Its major buying spree resulted in the acquisitions of Siebel Systems for $5.8 billion and PeopleSoft for $10.3 billion.
Oracle already has bought two small open-source database companies--Sleepycat on Tuesday and InnoDB in 2005. But its open-source ambitions clearly are larger; for example, BusinessWeek reported that Oracle is expected to acquire open-source application server maker JBoss.
Mickos and other executives eagerly note that the MySQL database is gradually maturing with higher-end features, but they deny they've got Oracle in their crosshairs. Oracle is often used in back-end databases that power complex, massive software such as enterprise resource planning packages (ERP) from SAP or PeopleSoft.
"We are not used in all the ERP stuff. We are adding those features, but we are not going to be running PeopleSoft applications any time," Mickos said. Instead, MySQL is aiming for next-generation applications at companies such as Workday, a software-as-a-service start-up being launched by PeopleSoft co0founder Dave Duffield.
In reality, the MySQL and Oracle do compete. "They're obviously entrenched in different areas of the market--Oracle at the high end, MySQL in the higher-volume, lower-end space," O'Grady said. "But is there overlap in the middle? Sure."
See more CNET content tagged:
MySQL,
Stephen O'Grady,
Oracle Corp.,
ERP,
PeopleSoft Inc.
http://www.otherthingsnow.blogspot.com/
http://www.otherthingsnow.blogspot.com/
anyways question is why Oracle should continue to chase MySQL. WHY? well answer is clear.
SAP is working too close with MySQL. Reason enough. but seriously the bid to move in aggressively into the SMB market. MySQL has got to be the buy Oracle is waiting for. With the plans to buy Jboss, it already will have a good light weight App server and with a good light db server which will/should be tipped "Oracle lite" (eventually).
So a little late in the game (IMO they should have done this long ago!)but still not worth giving up!!
Cheers
Tarry
http://tarrysingh.blogspot.com
anyways question is why Oracle should continue to chase MySQL. WHY? well answer is clear.
SAP is working too close with MySQL. Reason enough. but seriously the bid to move in aggressively into the SMB market. MySQL has got to be the buy Oracle is waiting for. With the plans to buy Jboss, it already will have a good light weight App server and with a good light db server which will/should be tipped "Oracle lite" (eventually).
So a little late in the game (IMO they should have done this long ago!)but still not worth giving up!!
Cheers
Tarry
http://tarrysingh.blogspot.com
What's interesting I think is how MySQL has seemed to create a newer industry for the mid-database market here so they can have staying power. message boards etc.
In the 90s I think we had too much bloated software I think for databasing. Was difficult to do mid market stuff then. It was just expensive.
What's interesting I think is how MySQL has seemed to create a newer industry for the mid-database market here so they can have staying power. message boards etc.
In the 90s I think we had too much bloated software I think for databasing. Was difficult to do mid market stuff then. It was just expensive.
F'ed up the internet and data-basing as a whole.
Oracle is a for profit company that will destroy MySQL and what
it's used and stands for. Lets not forget what PHP/MySQL stands
for:
OPEN SOURCE, FREE, OPEN, FREE.
Who the F'K does Oracle think they are. Are they trying to create
a Monopoly in the Database world. This acquisition would
confirm a TRUE Monopoly.
I would strongly disagree and let it be known if you use PHP or
MySQL in anyway. You know, like I use it for
www.TechViewsToday.US as well as a host of other bulletin
board services that I don't get paid for and in turn saves my
clients thousands and thousands of dollars years.
Small business clients will be affected by this acquisition the
most. If you run a web service or your company uses the net in a
database way this WILL AFFECT YOU.
Do not believe the smoke that will be blown by Oracle. There
only out for the money and they will KILL MySQL. If you don't
believe me as your Webmaster or Web Developer how this could
affect you web presence as a whole.
"This acquisition CAN'T happen!"
F'ed up the internet and data-basing as a whole.
Oracle is a for profit company that will destroy MySQL and what
it's used and stands for. Lets not forget what PHP/MySQL stands
for:
OPEN SOURCE, FREE, OPEN, FREE.
Who the F'K does Oracle think they are. Are they trying to create
a Monopoly in the Database world. This acquisition would
confirm a TRUE Monopoly.
I would strongly disagree and let it be known if you use PHP or
MySQL in anyway. You know, like I use it for
www.TechViewsToday.US as well as a host of other bulletin
board services that I don't get paid for and in turn saves my
clients thousands and thousands of dollars years.
Small business clients will be affected by this acquisition the
most. If you run a web service or your company uses the net in a
database way this WILL AFFECT YOU.
Do not believe the smoke that will be blown by Oracle. There
only out for the money and they will KILL MySQL. If you don't
believe me as your Webmaster or Web Developer how this could
affect you web presence as a whole.
"This acquisition CAN'T happen!"
http://maair.net
http://mannan.zabvision.edu.pk
http://maair.net
http://mannan.zabvision.edu.pk
I mean here you have government organizations, either US government or governments
under US control, paying 10Mill to 100Mill contracts to Oracle for Oracle SQL DB
when they can get the same SQL DB form MySQL for free or a tiny fraction of that amount.
Why!
Why is it that the companies worldwide use MySQL for their DB needs and do just fine, while
some Govs and Fortune 1000 give Oracle $10 to $100Mill payments for Oracle software
license when the same software license via MySQL is Free!
And of course would then this not give Oracle every incentive to buy and take out
of (real) competition MySQL which is providing the people (small businesses) with
a much lower cost of SQL DB compared to Oracle!
Only a blind man would not see how "evil" this take over would be.
Here are my predictions as to some tectonic movements in the IT business:
MySQL will replace Oracle more and more.
Linux will replace Windows more and more.
AnooX will replace Google & Yahoo more and more.
ORSN will replace ICANN more and more.
Specially in regard to companies/usage outside of USA.
Now watch out for Silicon Valley mafia, who have access to Billions of dollars, to try to
take out these companies that are providing us, the people world wide with choice &
freedom, and lower costs, in these critical areas of the IT business.
Can we do anything about it?
I am not sure, the people have proven themselves be a patsies too often.
But maybe this time, people will be able to see through the smoke & mirrors and
see that it is not good for us at all to have so much of our lifes controlled by a handful
of companies, people, from Silicon Valley or USA in general.
I mean here you have government organizations, either US government or governments
under US control, paying 10Mill to 100Mill contracts to Oracle for Oracle SQL DB
when they can get the same SQL DB form MySQL for free or a tiny fraction of that amount.
Why!
Why is it that the companies worldwide use MySQL for their DB needs and do just fine, while
some Govs and Fortune 1000 give Oracle $10 to $100Mill payments for Oracle software
license when the same software license via MySQL is Free!
And of course would then this not give Oracle every incentive to buy and take out
of (real) competition MySQL which is providing the people (small businesses) with
a much lower cost of SQL DB compared to Oracle!
Only a blind man would not see how "evil" this take over would be.
Here are my predictions as to some tectonic movements in the IT business:
MySQL will replace Oracle more and more.
Linux will replace Windows more and more.
AnooX will replace Google & Yahoo more and more.
ORSN will replace ICANN more and more.
Specially in regard to companies/usage outside of USA.
Now watch out for Silicon Valley mafia, who have access to Billions of dollars, to try to
take out these companies that are providing us, the people world wide with choice &
freedom, and lower costs, in these critical areas of the IT business.
Can we do anything about it?
I am not sure, the people have proven themselves be a patsies too often.
But maybe this time, people will be able to see through the smoke & mirrors and
see that it is not good for us at all to have so much of our lifes controlled by a handful
of companies, people, from Silicon Valley or USA in general.
source! The more that they position themselves in the market as
open source macrophages the more the IT community will
regard them as a microsoft facsimile. Buying out MySQL and
reducing it to a enterprise bait and lure freebee will only
increase the already growing animosity against them.
Compitition is a healthy economic departure from the 80s & 90s
microsoft philosophy. If Oracle is afraid of a little compitition in
the middleware spectrum of the market and insits on aggressivly
attacking openware they are on the track of producing a less
profitable enterprise. Many consumers, and more recently
businesses, have looked for alternitives to proprietary software
solutions causing a small, but marginal dent in big guys profit
margins. When companies spend all their resources in
attempting to eleminating their competitors rather than
improving their current product they loose their competitive
edge. Look at microsoft! They have been struggling to release a
new version of Windows for how long now? Too much time in
the papermill causes a shortage of cotton! The bigger they are...
the harder they FALL!!!
- MySQL- Oracle NOT all seeing eye!
-
by wjackson333
February 18, 2006 10:34 AM PST
- Greed seems to cloud Oracles vision of the future of open
-
Reply to this comment
-
-
See all 36 Comments >>source! The more that they position themselves in the market as
open source macrophages the more the IT community will
regard them as a microsoft facsimile. Buying out MySQL and
reducing it to a enterprise bait and lure freebee will only
increase the already growing animosity against them.
Compitition is a healthy economic departure from the 80s & 90s
microsoft philosophy. If Oracle is afraid of a little compitition in
the middleware spectrum of the market and insits on aggressivly
attacking openware they are on the track of producing a less
profitable enterprise. Many consumers, and more recently
businesses, have looked for alternitives to proprietary software
solutions causing a small, but marginal dent in big guys profit
margins. When companies spend all their resources in
attempting to eleminating their competitors rather than
improving their current product they loose their competitive
edge. Look at microsoft! They have been struggling to release a
new version of Windows for how long now? Too much time in
the papermill causes a shortage of cotton! The bigger they are...
the harder they FALL!!!