Microsoft and Software AG Form Alliance to Make OLE Technology Widely Available

Strategic Insights -

Microsoft Corp. and Software AG have formed an alliance to make Microsoft's OLE component software technology available across the majority of computer operating systems. Under the terms of the agreement, Software AG will make the core OLE technology available on most non-Microsoft operating systems, including UNIX, IBM MVS, OS/400, and others. The alliance aims to provide a uniform method of integrating software across the enterprise, shortening the development cycle and lowering costs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The alliance between Microsoft and Software AG will make OLE technology available on most non-Microsoft operating systems, including UNIX, IBM MVS, OS/400, and others.
  • Software AG plans to make OLE available on all major variants of UNIX, IBM MVS, OS/400, and other server and mainframe operating systems by the end of 1998.
  • The first platforms are expected to ship in early 1997, with Software AG making products available that ease integration of legacy applications with applications running on Microsoft platforms by encapsulating the legacy applications in OLE interfaces.
  • The alliance will provide a uniform method of integrating software across the enterprise, shortening the development cycle and lowering costs.
  • Software developers will have more options to buy off-the-shelf software components to use in creating new applications, accelerating software development and reducing costs.
  • The partnership will also allow customers to integrate OLE technology into their future plans, with the combination of Microsoft, Software AG, and Digital giving customers, systems integrators, and software vendors confidence in building OLE into their future plans.
  • OLE is the most widely used component software technology in the industry, with OLE-supporting applications totaling over $6 billion in annual sales and in use on more than 35 million computers.

Statistics:

  • OLE is the most widely used component software technology in the industry, with OLE-supporting applications totaling over $6 billion in annual sales.
  • OLE is in use on more than 35 million computers.
  • Hundreds of OLE-supporting software products are currently under development, adding to the more than 600 such applications already on the market.
  • Software AG is the world's 10th-largest software and services company, with over $500 million in sales.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire: "Microsoft Corp. and Software AG Announce Alliance to Bring Component Software Technology to the Masses".
  • Microsoft Corp.: "Microsoft and Software AG Form Alliance to Make OLE Technology Widely Available".
  • Software AG: "Software AG and Microsoft Corp. Announce Strategic Partnership".