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Oracle's Ellison Targets IBM as New Rival in Battle for Corporate Computing Dominance

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison has long been a thorn in Microsoft's side, but in a recent move, he has set his sights on IBM as the new top enemy. Ellison aims to make Oracle a one-stop shop for full corporate computing systems, much like IBM, through the pending acquisition of Sun Microsystems. This strategic move will allow Oracle to compete with IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Cisco Systems for dominance in corporate data centers. To fuel the battle, Ellison has offered a $10 million prize to anyone who can find an application that runs faster on an IBM server than on the latest machine from Sun.

Key Takeaways:

  • Oracle's acquisition of Sun Microsystems will give the company access to Sun's servers, data storage systems, Sparc computer chips, Solaris operating system, and Java software code, enabling Oracle to build a new generation of business computers and appliances.
  • Oracle envisions an era of integrated tech systems, where components are based on open industry standards and less customization is required, allowing companies to quickly change their business processes.
  • Oracle's integrated approach is embodied by its new Exadata 2 computer, which combines hardware from Sun with Oracle software to be "the fastest business computer that has ever been built."
  • Safra Catz, Oracle's co-president, compares today's tech industry to automakers who sell all the parts for a car and then expect buyers to assemble it themselves, highlighting Oracle's vision for infrastructure with the hardware, applications, and database.
  • Oracle is positioning itself to compete with IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Cisco Systems for dominance in corporate data centers.
  • The acquisition of Sun Microsystems is pending EU antitrust approval and is valued at $7.4 billion.

Statistics:

  • $10 million: the prize offered by Ellison to anyone who can find an application that runs faster on an IBM server than on the latest machine from Sun.
  • $7.4 billion: the value of the acquisition of Sun Microsystems pending EU antitrust approval.
  • 2: the number of times Oracle's Exadata 2 computer is claimed to be the "fastest business computer that has ever been built."

Sources:

  • AP
  • Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
  • Syndigate.info
  • Albawaba.com

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