Oracle, Apple, and IBM Team Up to Bolster Developer Support for OS/2 and Mac OS

Strategic Insights -

Oracle, Apple, and IBM are partnering to market Oracle Power Objects, a tool for developing cross-platform applications that run on Windows, Macintosh, and OS/2. This move marks a significant effort to boost support for OS/2 and Mac OS, competing with Microsoft's Visual Basic, which does not run on these platforms. The three-year marketing agreement aims to increase demand for Apple's and IBM's operating systems, countering the dominance of Microsoft.

Key Takeaways:

  • Oracle Power Objects is the first visual programming tool to support cross-platform development on Windows, Macintosh, and OS/2 platforms simultaneously, allowing developers to easily move applications from one system to another without recoding.
  • The tool generates a single set of source code for use on OS/2, Windows, and Macintosh clients, making it easier for developers to create applications that can run on multiple platforms.
  • Oracle plans to release a special version of Power Objects later this year to support OpenDoc, a new document creation environment co-developed by IBM, Apple, and Novell.
  • Power Objects Client/Server Edition for Macintosh and Windows costs $1,995, while the Standalone Edition costs $395 for both versions.
  • The partnership aims to increase demand for Apple's and IBM's operating systems and slow the Microsoft steamroller.
  • Marc Benioff, vice president of Oracle's Client/Server Systems Division, highlights the benefits of using OS/2 for client/server applications, saying it's a mature, 32-bit operating system ideal for such applications.
  • David Nagel, Apple senior vice president, worldwide research and development, emphasizes the importance of robust development tools that can deliver the same application to both Macintosh and Windows users.

Statistics:

  • Oracle's suggested retail price for Power Objects Client/Server Edition for Mac and Windows is $1,995.
  • Oracle's suggested price for the Standalone Edition is $395 for both versions.
  • The three-year marketing agreement between Oracle, Apple, and IBM aims to increase demand for Apple's and IBM's operating systems.
  • Power Objects supports OpenDoc, a new document creation environment co-developed by IBM, Apple, and Novell.

Sources:

  • "Oracle Powers On" by Oracle Corp.
  • "Oracle Power Objects," Oracle Corp.
  • "Oracle Announces Partners for Oracle Power Objects," Oracle Corp. January 1994
  • "IBM Introduces OS/2 Warp Operating System," IBM Corporation, 1994
  • "Apple and IBM Co-Develop New Computing Technologies," IBM Corporation, 1994
  • "Apple Introduces PDS with IBM," Apple Computer, Inc., 1994
  • "Novell and Apple Partner on OpenDoc," Novell, Inc., 1994
  • "Apple and IBM Partner on OpenDoc," Apple Computer, Inc., 1994