UKOUG's view on Oracle's acquisition of Sun
Neelie Kroes Dear Commissioner Kroes,
I am writing to on behalf of the UK Oracle User Group – a not for profit organization that is totally independent of Oracle Corporation and which exists to ensure the best return from customers investments in Oracle (and related) products and services. Our membership of circa 1500+ organizations represents over 50% of the active Oracle customer base in the UK and Ireland and we estimate that our coverage represents greater than 4% of Oracle’s global revenues.
We want to express our strong support for the proposed acquisition of Sun Microsystems, Inc. by Oracle Corporation. We are aware that Oracle has requested several of the major global User Groups to write to you – and we see this as a testimony to the degree of notice that Oracle takes of its customer base as represented by these User Groups who are under no obligation to support any particular commercial activity by Oracle. It is worthy of note that User Groups world-wide have had the ability to significantly influence the Oracle Fusion strategy in a way that allows for shared success between the customers and the supplier.
Our reasons for supporting the move is as follows:-
Uncertainty over the future of Java risks our member’s investments in both Oracle technologies (which rely significantly on Java in current versions) and in developed applications. Oracle in terms of strategy and commitment to Open Source will provide a secure future for Java.
Our members who employ Sun hardware & Software have serious concerns regarding the future of their estates given Sun’s current financial problems.
Whilst MySQL does have a strong following it should not be regarded as a serious competitor to the normal use of Oracle database technology. Additionally, Oracle’s record of preserving customer investments (to maintain their customer base) and support of Open Standards would indicate as safe a future for MySQL as any other ‘owner’.
Oracle has a proven track record in preserving customer investments in technologies / applications that Oracle has acquired. Examples being Rdb, IRI Express, The Applications Unlimited strategy (for Peoplesoft, Siebel, JD Edwards, et al). Oracle has repeated this policy for OpenSource products such as InnoDB and Berkeley DB. Oracle has also demonstrated how it is able to absorb the people from acquired companies to drive the best product development – and hence best customer value. We urge you to clear the transaction promptly and end the uncertainty. Sincerely, Ronan Miles
A copy of this letter can be found at : http://www.ukoug.org/lib/show_document.jsp?id=11060 Ronan Miles User Group House, 591-593 Kingston Rd, Wimbledon SW20 8SA Tel: 020 8545 9670 Fax: 0870 9000 335 |
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