Could Oracle’s Next Acquisition Be HP or NetApp?

Oracle has its sights set very high. Although the company is best-known for its namesake database software, a steady string of acquisitions has transformed the company (and its colorful leader, Larry Ellison) into an industry powerhouse. Much speculation revolves around Oracle’s next move, and a surprising meme is developing, suggesting that the company is looking at making another massive purchase. Could HP or NetApp follow Sun into the hands of Oracle?

Meet the Enterprise IT Superpowers

After years spent focusing on personal technology, businesses are increasingly turning back to the enterprise. The corporate IT market is much more dynamic and competitive, with a few very large “superpower” companies discovering their power to drive purchasing decisions. If a supplier can create an integrated “stack” of hardware and software, they can push product purchases that might otherwise be overlooked or postponed. This is the main reason that enterprise IT acquisitions work so well: Where a small company must fight to sell their product, a large one can hitch it to a much more strategic sale and have it pulled along.

Ellison Ain’t No Sun King

That arrogant Larry Ellison has just become the Sun king. We knew it was going to happen and now Oracle is our newest competitor. We need to respond appropriately to this.

Controlling Behaviour

Two very different press conferences/product launches happened today, and both had a very common theme: control.

SUN ORACLE Exadata Version 2: Showing the power of ORACLE SUN

Clearly ORACLE is targeting IBM and NCR – Teradata products with the release of the SUN ORACLE EXADATA Version 2 platform. It was obvious listening to Mr. Larry Ellison, where he used the word “THEY” numerous times signaling towards IBM and NCR. Though it was not said during the presentation, “THEY” could include HP as well. At this point without the final approval of the SUN purchase, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense for ORACLE to make another enemy, HP.