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Oracle and Sun Join Forces to Challenge Microsoft's Windows Dominance

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Oracle, the world's leading database vendor, is teaming up with Sun Microsystems, the workstation manufacturer, to develop new software that will compete directly with Windows. The joint venture aims to combine Oracle's widely used database system with Sun's Solaris product, a version of Unix, to create a powerful operating environment that will challenge Microsoft's Windows operating system. The collaboration is expected to result in a new product that will compete with Windows in the corporate market, where Unix and older systems still predominate.

Key Takeaways:

  • Oracle and Sun are developing new software to compete directly with Windows, with a focus on the corporate market.
  • The joint venture will combine Oracle's database system with Sun's Solaris product, creating a powerful operating environment.
  • The new product will use Internet browser software similar to Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Navigator.
  • Oracle and Sun fear that Microsoft's Windows NT product may gain dominant status in the corporate server market, driving their alliance to produce a radical alternative.
  • The Oracle/Sun partnership may weaken the anti-trust case against Microsoft by providing a viable alternative to Windows.
  • Sun has announced that it will give away its Java software free of charge to software developers to encourage rapid development and create a "pure" standard independent of Microsoft.
  • Microsoft has argued that the take-over of Netscape by America Online undermines the anti-trust case against it.

Statistics:

  • Windows has more than 90% of the market in personal computer operating systems.
  • Microsoft's Windows NT product is rapidly gaining market share against Unix, Novell's NetWare, and other older systems.
  • The Oracle/Sun partnership aims to create a powerful operating environment that will compete with Windows in the corporate market.
  • The new product is expected to use Internet browser software similar to Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Navigator.

Sources:

  • [No source provided for the original article]

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