ANTenna Blog -- Business & E-Business

Yesterday, I wrote that Oracle's purchase of Sun could lead to the abandonment of MySQL but was likely to boost Java. Today, Info-Tech Research lead analyst Andy Woyzbun predicts new packages leveraging the open source database. But he's not so sure about the future of Open Office.

Woyzbun agrees about the primacy of Java, and says Oracle is unlikely to kill MySQL, but will instead tie the open source database into the company's Accelerate program, aimed at mid-market businesses. Accelerate creates software bundles for specific vertical markets. As Woyzbun puts it, "Oracle doesn't have the capacity to develop applications for everyone under the Sun [so to speak!], so they use third-party suppliers. Many companies are comfortable using Java and MySQL, so the opportunity may be bundle them with ancillary services from Oracle."

"Oracle is taking a look at the way the industry is going," Woyzbun says. "Packages are becoming the norm... packaged services, managed services... and Oracle wants to maintain critical mass."

The question is how you price these things, right?" Woyzbun asks. "If MySQL is part of a broader offering, it's not going to compete with Oracle Database."

NOTE: The Register reports that Ken Jacbos, vice president of product strategy in Oracle's server technologies division has appeared at MySQL's annual conference to reassure the MySQL community. But other MySQL figures have expressed concerns over the database's future under Oracle.

On the other hand, "Open Office is the thing I'm not sure about," Woyzbun says. The product hasn't really taken off in terms of popularity, and it's not clear how Oracle will make any money on it. The only reason for keeping it going is to stick it to Microsoft, which has occasionally been enough to motivate Oracle CEO Larry Ellison in the past.

Woyzbun's bottom line? "I doubt they will kill any of this. The question is how much they will put into it." There's no question that the companies' combined R&D budget will be cut, Woyzbun says. How else will they save any money?

But he remains optimistic: "We may be pleasantly surprised" at Oracle's behavior. "I think we'll see a different Oracle than we might have seen five years ago. History is not always an indicator, the reality is the marketplace is changing. I'm not suggesting that Oracle is going to turn over a brand new leaf on everything," Woyzbun says, but he points out that the Sun deal was an opportunistic move: "They may not have developed a strategic plan since last Thursday."

So what should small and midsize companies do while Oracle tries to figure out what to do with its shiny new toy? Woyzbun suggests that customers of either company should pay attention to shifts in the salesforce between Oracle and Sun. That's especially true for Sun clients, he says, as Sun reps may not find themselves in the strongest position to be your company's ally in seeking the best deals, the most attentive service, and the fastest response to problems.