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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, has joined forces with Sun Microsystems, the workstation manufacturer, in a bid to challenge Microsoft's dominance in the market for personal computer operating systems. The two companies intend to develop new software that will compete directly with Windows, leveraging Oracle's database system and Sun's Solaris product, a version of Unix. The joint venture is expected to centre on the fusion of these two systems, creating a new operating environment that will use Internet browser software similar to Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Navigator.

Key Takeaways:

  • Oracle and Sun will develop new software to compete directly with Windows, leveraging Oracle's database system and Sun's Solaris product.
  • The joint venture is expected to launch the first fruits of their collaboration early this year.
  • The new operating environment will use Internet browser software similar to Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Navigator.
  • Windows has more than 90% of the market share in personal computer operating systems.
  • Microsoft's Windows NT product is rapidly gaining market share against Unix, Novell's NetWare, and other older systems.
  • Oracle's alliance with Sun is driven by fear of Microsoft's dominance in the corporate server market.
  • The Anti-Trust case against Microsoft may be weakened by the marketing of a new Oracle/Solaris product.

Statistics:

  • Windows has more than 90% of the market share in personal computer operating systems (source: not specified).
  • Microsoft's Windows NT product is rapidly gaining market share against Unix, Novell's NetWare, and other older systems (source: not specified).
  • The joint venture between Oracle and Sun aims to launch the first fruits of their collaboration early this year (source: not specified).

Sources:

  • Financial Times Limited 1999.

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